Bridging Borders for Relief: Strengthening Aid in Times of Crisis
With the aim of optimizing humanitarian aid import procedures and improving the management of donations in emergency situations, the Workshop on the Management of Donation Imports was held on 31 March and 1 April. The event was organized by the Logistics Cluster, led by the World Food Programme (WFP), and Caritas Peru, and brought together more than 20 organizations, including government institutions, international agencies, and humanitarian entities.
The workshop focused on providing a clear understanding of the procedures and regulations involved in the importation of donations—a key process to ensure the effective delivery of assistance to the most vulnerable populations. It featured the participation of logistics and customs experts who addressed critical aspects of the import and customs clearance process, documentation requirements, and control mechanisms for donated goods.
“The importation of donations is an essential tool for humanitarian response. This workshop aims to help organizations better understand the processes and reduce delivery times for aid.”
Manuel Huapaya, Secretary-General, Caritas del Peru
Workshop Objectives and Activities
Over the course of the two-day event, participants discussed topics such as sanctions, mandatory documentation, and the challenges and potential solutions in managing import processes.
Key Speakers and Topics
The workshop featured presentations from experts in logistics and customs regulations:
- Mr. Gustavo Quincho, Head of Customs at Caritas del Peru, underscored the importance of sound management in the importation of donations.
- Mr. José Luis Cabrera, Donation Oversight Specialist at the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), explained the requirements for the proper preparation of beneficiary lists and delivery records.
- Mr. Antonio Llontop, Customs Specialist at SUNAT (National Superintendency of Customs and Tax Administration), addressed the challenges and regulatory framework for importing donated goods from abroad.
Impact and Expected Results
Effective management of donation imports is critical to humanitarian response efforts in emergency situations. This workshop marks a significant step forward in enhancing coordination between humanitarian organizations and government institutions, contributing to a faster and more effective response. It also forms part of the Emergency Logistics Preparedness led by the Logistics Cluster in Peru, which aims to strengthen logistical capacities in emergencies and ensure the efficient delivery of humanitarian aid.
“It is very important to be aware of the resources we have, the tools available, and the institutions we can rely on in the event of an emergency.”
Zarela Mansilla, General Coordinator, Hombro a Hombro
Looking ahead, continued training of key actors will be promoted through new capacity-building programs, particularly in relation to recent regulations issued by APCI and SUNAT. In addition, sectoral panels will be convened to delve into the specific needs of each area, ensuring that humanitarian organizations are better equipped to meet current and future challenges.
“The current donation procedure is outdated. This year, as part of our work plan, we aim to update it to facilitate and improve the overall process.”
Antonio Llontop Urrutia, Specialist, Division of Import Procedures, SUNAT
Ongoing capacity-building strengthened collaboration among organizations, and the simplification of processes will be essential to ensuring faster and more effective assistance to those who need it most.
“This workshop helps each sector and public entity to improve its procedures, ensuring that donated goods reach the vulnerable populations that truly need them.”
Carlos Quispe Tineo, Disaster Risk Management Specialist, Ministry of Transport and Communications
“In an emergency, the donation of food, medicine, and other essential items becomes critical. Challenges often arise in the logistics chain due to limited awareness of existing systems or regulations—this is precisely why we are holding this workshop. Such gaps can lead to delays, errors, and increased logistics costs during emergency responses.”
Patricia Pazos, Supply Chain Officer, World Food Program of United Nations in Peru
👉 Watch Video highlights from the Donation Imports Management Workshop (Click)
💡 Learn more about the Emergency Preparedness Project in Peru: Peru | Logistics Cluster Website