Purpose - A review of relief-and-recovery glitches related to natural disasters revealed four main issues that hinder the effectiveness of relief efforts. A common theme across these issues is a need for a more holistic systems design to provide better coordination within humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HADR). This paper addresses this issue. Design/methodology/approach - This is a conceptual paper using systems design theory to frame the extant literature and delineate the challenges and opportunities in HADR with respect to environment, processes, and goals. With the focus on systems design, the authors use fundamental principles of systems thinking to identify core issues and questions that require the attention of future research. Findings - HADR supply chains are made up of a complex set of players. By answering the questions the paper have proposed using systems thinking, these organizations can be motivated to coordinate efforts in the HADR supply chain to create a more cohesive response effort. Research limitations/implications - Progress is needed to transition from temporary to synchronized, borderless" HADR supply chain networks. The result would be that HADR supply chains would more effectively reduce suffering and operate at lower total costs - two goals that are worth pursuing. Originality/value - This paper is written in response to Richey's call for a more theoretical base in HADR research. Addressing the proposed research questions introduced in this paper will increase HADR system transparency