Trade and Humanitarian Emergencies : A Survey of Trade Policy Issues Affecting Disaster Response, Recovery and Reconstruction

The initial hours and days after a humanitarian emergency are generally seen as the most important. Because they affect the rapid deployment of relief to people in need, international trade policies, and the way in which they are implemented, can make an enormous difference to the effectiveness of the humanitarian response, in many cases, the difference between life and death. The same issues that affect trade on a daily basis, such as costly, inefficient and onerous borders procedures, are magnified in times of humanitarian emergencies where speed and reliability of delivery are so critical. Trade also plays a key role in recovery and reconstruction well beyond the initial phase of an emergency. This report surveys three main areas at the intersection of trade-related policies and humanitarian emergencies: (i ) border procedures and trade facilitation; (ii) trade and disaster recovery and reconstruction; and (iii) other trade policies affecting humanitarian response