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On 31 March, the transitional period during which humanitarian aid could be imported to Ukraine using paper declarations will end. Starting from 1 April, humanitarian aid can only be imported into Ukraine using the Automated Humanitarian Aid Registration System.
These changes are being implemented to make the procedure for importing and accounting for humanitarian aid more convenient and transparent for everyone: for foundations and volunteers, for organisations and institutions receiving aid, and for the state. The digital mechanism will eliminate paperwork and, therefore, abuse during the import and distribution of humanitarian aid. It will also enable foundations and NGOs to store the entire history of humanitarian aid deliveries in one place.
“The new rules for the delivery of humanitarian aid are primarily important to ensure that humanitarian aid reaches those who really need it. The digital system will allow us to see the entire movement of humanitarian aid from its arrival in Ukraine to distribution. The system will also help to track what is planned to be delivered, influence this process by collecting information about real needs, prevent doubling of aid and direct it to where it is most needed. For example, it is common for different organisations to bring similar aid to the same community, leaving other communities with unmet needs.
Digitalisation of the process of importing and accounting for humanitarian aid is a qualitative safeguard against theft and abuse in this area. We are not a law enforcement agency, but we are responsible for the humanitarian aid policy and therefore we are creating tools that are convenient for everyone to avoid such situations,” said Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy.
Since the launch of the digital system https://good.gov.ua/ more than 8,000 recipients have joined the official Register of Humanitarian Aid Recipients. All these organisations can legally import humanitarian aid. Over the course of the digital mechanism’s operation, the system has generated more than 18,000 records of cargo and 12,500 declarations.
“Over the past 4 months, we have been improving the digital system, and all this time we have been in close communication with volunteers. I am grateful to them for the quality feedback that allows us to work on the system. Overall, we are taking a strategic approach to solving problems in the humanitarian aid sector. A working group of volunteers has been working for several months now, and we are jointly developing ways to resolve painful issues,” said Nazar Tanasyshyn, Deputy Minister of Social Policy.
As a reminder, a transitional period is still in effect until 1 April. It stipulates that recipients of humanitarian aid (foundations, NGOs and other institutions) can choose one of two options for delivering and accounting for humanitarian aid – paper or digital.