Red Cross urges Gov’t to remove hurdles in importation of humanitarian goods

For items necessary in disaster response, URCS says, Government should remove requirements such as the Certificate of Conformity.

This certificate is required for all imports as per the Pre-export verification of conformity (PVoC) which the government introduced to safeguard consumers from substandard products and ensure the quality and safety of imported goods entering the Ugandan market.

But according to Nafutali Baguma, Director of Procurement and Supply Chain and Management at URCS, this certificate has proved costly especially in disaster response.

“As the Red Cross, we receive a substantial amount of goods from our partners and donors outside Uganda, but we have found that the certificate of conformity is not only costly but it also causes delays,” Baguma told the press on Tuesday. 

“The items we have received so far without that certificate have not been cleared b UNBS and National Drug Authority. This seriously affects the operational response.

“That is why we are appealing to the Government to amend this system, especially for items that are to do with humanitarian response because they are not for profit.

Baguma gave the example of last year’s Ebola outbreak in Greater Mubende, where Red Cross received body bags and other Safe and Dignified Burial equipment, but experienced delays because they required a certificate of conformity from UNBS and NDA.

Baguma was speaking on the sidelines of the two-day Red Cross Red Crescent Movement Cross Border EVD Preparedness and Collaboration Meeting held at the Speke Resort Hotel in Munyonyo.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Red Cross Red Crescent National Societies from over 12 Countries.

Robert Kwesiga, the Secretary-General URCS said the meeting intended to synergize on good practices for handling cross-border epidemics.

“Pandemics or emergencies don't respect borders. Our borders are very porous so a pandemic in one country can be a global problem,” Kwesiga said.

“That is why we need to put mechanisms on mitigation, preparedness, and response; share experiences and see what has worked and what has not,” he said.

Regarding the delays in the importation of humanitarian goods, Kwesiga said talks are ongoing with the relevant government agencies to introduce a “disaster law” which will among others, provide for fast racking importation of these essential supplies.