Imagine this scenario: A sudden pandemic or natural disaster strikes Liberia, with urgently needed medical supplies, food, and drinking water piling up at border crossings. Yet due to cumbersome customs clearance procedures and poor inter-agency coordination, these critical supplies cannot reach affected populations in time. Every minute of delay could mean lives lost. How can such tragedies be prevented? Liberia is taking proactive measures to prepare for future emergencies.
From May 1-4, 2018, the World Customs Organization (WCO) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA) conducted a landmark assessment mission in Monrovia, Liberia's capital. This initiative was part of WCO's "Customs for Relief of Epidemic Diseases" (C-RED) project, funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which aims to enhance customs capabilities and emergency response efficiency in six West and Central African countries, including Liberia.
Three Key Objectives
The assessment mission focused on three critical areas:
- Needs Assessment: Identifying practical challenges faced by stakeholders during humanitarian relief operations
- Interagency Coordination: Strengthening collaboration between government agencies, customs, and humanitarian organizations
- Process Optimization: Developing customized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for expedited clearance of relief goods
The mission organized interactive workshops with participation from Liberia's Revenue Authority (LRA), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, National Disaster Management Agency, World Food Programme (WFP), UNICEF, and WHO representatives.
Developing Practical Solutions
Participants openly shared operational challenges, including bureaucratic hurdles and lack of standardized procedures. In response, WCO experts worked with Liberian stakeholders to:
- Analyze existing customs regulations for relief goods
- Draft comprehensive SOPs covering declaration, inspection, and release processes
- Define clear roles and responsibilities for all agencies
- Propose concrete improvements with implementation timelines
Key Features of the New SOPs
The proposed Standard Operating Procedures include several critical innovations:
- Simplified Declaration: Reduced paperwork and electronic submission options for relief goods
- Priority Processing: Dedicated clearance channels and risk-based fast-tracking for trusted organizations
- Enhanced Coordination: Cross-agency task forces to prevent bureaucratic delays
- Information Support: Centralized platforms for policy updates and operational guidance
- Capacity Building: Regular training for customs and government personnel
Beyond the SOP development, WCO provided additional recommendations covering legal reforms, organizational restructuring, staff training, and technology upgrades to strengthen Liberia's overall emergency response capabilities.
Looking Ahead
Liberian officials expressed appreciation for WCO's support and requested continued assistance with implementation. The C-RED project represents an ongoing commitment to building resilient systems across West and Central Africa, with Liberia's recent progress serving as a model for regional cooperation in humanitarian logistics.
This collaboration between Liberia and international partners demonstrates how proactive planning and institutional strengthening can create vital lifelines that save lives when disasters strike. By streamlining cross-border procedures and fostering inter-agency cooperation, Liberia is building a more secure future for its citizens.