There is provided systems and methods involving a portable distribution center for distributing merchandise in response to emergencies. The distribution center includes a transport vehicle with a locomotion system for movement of the transport vehicle to an emergency location. It also includes a conveyor system for sortation and distribution of merchandise items upon arrival at the emergency location. The conveyor system includes merchandise identifier for reading identification data from merchandise item; a plurality of sortation units for moving merchandise items to uniquely identified destination lanes; and a control circuit configured to: assign merchandise items to uniquely identified sortation destination lanes; receive identification data; and communicate with the plurality of sortation units. The distribution center also includes a power supply for energizing the conveyor system and a communication system. At the emergency location, the control circuit separates the merchandise items into predetermined kits that are sorted to the destination lanes.