WCO Speeds Up Disaster Aid After Earthquakes Floods

Published: 01/05/2026
Disaster Relief Customs Facilitation WCO
The World Customs Organization (WCO) expresses its deep sorrow regarding the recent earthquake in Morocco and the floods in Libya. The WCO emphasizes the crucial role of customs in disaster relief, offering tools and guidelines to streamline border procedures and expedite the cross-border movement of life-saving supplies. The WCO urges member customs administrations to prioritize the clearance of relief goods, implement simplified and advance declarations, and adopt flexible clearance procedures. It also calls for enhanced international cooperation to jointly respond to disasters and provide support and condolences to the affected communities.
WCO Speeds Up Disaster Aid After Earthquakes Floods

In the aftermath of earthquakes and devastating floods, every passing moment carries the weight of potential lives saved. When disaster strikes, time becomes the most precious resource. The World Customs Organization (WCO) stands united with affected members and communities during these critical times.

Recent tragedies—the powerful earthquake in Morocco and unprecedented floods in Libya—have claimed countless lives, destroyed homes, severed transportation networks, and erased historical landmarks. Witnessing these heartbreaking scenes, the WCO expresses profound solidarity with all affected members.

The Critical Role of Customs in Disaster Response

As the first line of defense at borders, customs authorities play a pivotal role during natural disasters. Their responsibilities extend beyond regulation to ensuring life-saving supplies and equipment reach disaster zones with maximum speed. This rapid delivery provides survival essentials for trapped victims, necessary tools for rescue teams, and vital support for humanitarian organizations.

The WCO prioritizes member support, particularly during crises, delivering comprehensive and agile assistance. Customs administrations can leverage various tools to enhance emergency response efficiency—resources designed to streamline border procedures, facilitate cross-border movement of relief goods, ensure legal compliance, and accelerate delivery to those in need.

Key WCO Tools for Disaster Response

The WCO offers specialized resources to help customs authorities manage natural disasters:

  • Revised Kyoto Convention's Specific Annex J, Chapter 5: Outlines facilitation measures for relief goods, serving as the core reference for customs operations during emergencies.
  • Customs Cooperation Council Resolution on Customs' Role in Natural Disaster Relief (June 2011): Emphasizes customs' critical function in disaster response and encourages members to simplify procedures and enhance efficiency.
  • WCO Disaster Management and Supply Chain Continuity Guide: Provides practical recommendations for customs administrations to develop effective response plans and minimize disaster impacts on trade.

These WCO instruments establish clear protocols for prioritizing clearance and implementing facilitation measures for relief goods destined for export, transit, temporary import, or import. Specific measures include:

  • Simplified Declaration: Accepting reduced or provisional documentation with later completion.
  • Pre-Arrival Processing: Submitting and registering declarations before goods arrive for immediate release.
  • Flexible Clearance: Conducting clearance outside standard hours/locations with fee exemptions.
  • Reduced Inspection: Limiting examinations to exceptional cases.
  • Non-Discrimination: Processing relief goods regardless of origin, departure, or destination.

Understanding the Facilitation Measures

1. Simplified Declaration for Faster Release

Traditional customs procedures often involve complex documentation. During emergencies, WCO-endorsed simplified declarations allow authorities to accept basic information initially, with full documentation completed later. This approach can reduce clearance from days to hours—or even minutes.

Example: Medical supplies bound for Moroccan earthquake zones could bypass full commercial invoices and certificates of origin initially. A brief declaration enables immediate release while proper documentation follows.

2. Pre-Arrival Processing

Standard clearance begins upon goods' arrival. The WCO's pre-arrival system permits declaration submission during transit, enabling immediate release at destination.

Example: A relief flight to Libyan flood areas could have its cargo documentation processed mid-flight, allowing instant unloading upon landing without clearance delays.

3. Flexible Clearance Procedures

Customs typically operate within fixed schedules and locations. Emergency protocols authorize clearance anytime, anywhere—often with waived fees—ensuring uninterrupted relief supply chains.

Example: Nighttime arrivals at border posts can receive immediate clearance instead of waiting for morning operations, demonstrating customs' adaptive humanitarian service.

4. Trust-Based Reduced Inspection

While inspections ensure compliance, excessive checks delay critical deliveries. The WCO recommends limiting examinations to exceptional cases for verified relief shipments.

Example: Donated clothing and food shipments might receive minimal or no inspection based on donor credibility, expediting delivery to disaster victims.

5. Universal Non-Discrimination

The WCO mandates equal treatment for all relief goods regardless of origin—ensuring political neutrality in humanitarian response.

Example: Multiple international relief shipments receive identical processing priority, reflecting customs' commitment to impartial emergency response.

Coordinated Border Management

Beyond these measures, the WCO encourages enhanced interagency cooperation—sharing information and synchronizing actions to optimize relief efforts. Establishing efficient communication channels and collaborative platforms minimizes redundancy and maximizes resource utilization.

The WCO acknowledges the profound challenges of disaster recovery and the long road to reconstruction. Through unity and coordinated action, customs authorities worldwide can help rebuild communities and restore hope. The organization remains committed to supporting members with necessary resources to protect lives and property during these devastating events.

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