Regional Seminar on the Role of Customs in Natural Disaster Relief in the Americas and Caribbean Region

The WCO, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) held a joint seminar on the role of Customs in natural disaster relief at the WCO Regional Training Centre in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic from 13-15 November 2012.

This was the second in a series of regional seminars planned by the three organizations to give effect to the Resolution on the Role of Customs in Natural Disaster Relief adopted by the Council of the WCO in June 2011.

The seminar was attended by over 60 participants, representing 25 WCO Members in the Americas and Caribbean region, as well as officials from United Nations agencies, the National Red Cross/Red Crescent (RCRC) societies, national disaster management authorities and non-governmental organizations, among others.

Aimed at promoting the use of existing tools and instruments to help Customs administrations respond efficiently to emergency situations, the Seminar also provided the ideal platform for Customs authorities and their key humanitarian aid partners to share experiences and perspectives in order to obtain feedback on Customs’ future needs.

In accordance with the June 2011 WCO Resolution, two other seminars will be held in 2013, both in WCO regions in Africa.

Photo Caption: Regional Seminar on the Role of Customs in Natural Disaster Relief in the Americas and Caribbean Region