Automated System for Relief Emergency Consignments for innovative coordination and facilitation of relief consignments in times of disaster in the Pacific region

Due to their geographical location and climate change issues, crisis and disaster management is a critical issue in recent times for Small Island Developing States in the Pacific Island countries. In these countries there are not always procedures or electronic tools for preparing customs and other relevant stakeholders for a disaster.

National Disaster Management Agencies (NDMA) do not always formally exist, and they do not necessarily have a coordinated approach including with customs and other stakeholders who are critical to efficient and swift imports of humanitarian relief during an emergency.

Countries such as Kiribati, Palau and Tonga are suffering an increasing number of natural disasters especially cyclones. A lack of resources and the capacity to effectively use those resources in times of emergency hampers relief efforts. Their geographical distances between towns and neighbouring countries makes it very difficult to share any assistance or acquired experience.

Objective of the Project

To contribute to strengthening the capacity of targeted beneficiary countries in the Pacific Region in using ASYREC to facilitate and expedite the processing of international relief consignments to timely address humanitarian crisis, natural disasters or complex emergencies.

Activities

1. Enrichment of the online e-learning platform with a set of additional training and presentation modules covering all the phases of an ASYREC implementation.
2. Development of a set of user guides/functional documentation covering the different phases of ASYREC and according to the different user profiles involved in such an implementation.
3. Three trainings and regional awareness seminars to national customs administrations, National Disaster Management Authorities (NDMAs) and other required agencies by country, to be delivered using the e-learning platform as a support tool. The 3 workshops/seminars will be held at 8-month intervals during the second and third years of the project (2024-2025).
4. National e-learning trainings and three regional in-person trainings modules regarding the development of a rapid scan of Trade Facilitation preparedness in times of crisis
5. Formulation of a Generic Framework and governance for the supply of humanitarian goods for dissemination to NTFC members.
6. Development of a manual which gathers best practices, lessons learnt with recommendations for implementation of ASYREC and the national framework and governance of the supply for humanitarian goods.

Intended Outcomes

1. Enhanced capacity to facilitate and expedite the processing of international relief consignments for the relevant stakeholders in the Pacific region implementing all phases of ASYREC.
2. Formulation of a generic institutional and governance framework based on an improved coordination amongst the respective governments and all relevant stakeholders in ongoing disaster preparation and readiness but also during and after the emergency phase.

Link to the SDGs

The project directly supports the following Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 3: Good health and well-being - Strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
• SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure - Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development in developing countries through enhanced financial, technological and technical support to African countries, least developed countries, landlocked developing countries and small island developing States.
• SDG 13: Climate action - Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions - Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the goals - Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favorable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed.

And indirectly supports:

• SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities - By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Reports are required to be submitted to the UNDA by the following dates:

• 31 January 2024: 1^st Annual Progress Report
• 31 January 2025 2^nd Annual Progress Report
• March 2026: Final Report
• June 2026: External Evaluation Report

Data will be gathered against indicator of achievement IA1.1 in February 2024 to assess the initial usage of the e-learning platform. For the remaining 3 indicators IA1.2, IA2.1 and IA2.2 the data will be gathered after the 3 seminars and compiled in the final report in January 2026.

Documents and information to be collected:

• List of workshop participants, including names, gender, email addresses
• Workshop survey results
• Workshop agendas
• Guidelines, methodologies, tools developed by the project
• Project websites
• List of project focal point and counterparts in target countries, partner organizations and donors.
• User feedback, including but not limited to, feedback on guidelines, advisory services etc.