additional capacity for imports to landlocked affected countries. Deliveries will be via a wide choice of regional multimodal (road /rail) corridors. RECOMMENDATIONS The following trade and transport facilitation policy measures must be put in place by all SADC countries (including those not affected by the drought which might be used as transit) in order to optimise the regional drought relief transport and logistics operations: • Introduce special “drought relief cross-border permits” to transport operators who are awarded drought relief tenders, with logos that identify drought relief vehicles / trains, as well as issue special visas and identity documents for drought relief crews (road and rail) involved in cross border operations. • Introduce expedited customs clearance procedures (including pre-clearance and special lanes at border posts) for drought relief cargo. • Harmonize vehicle and drought relief cargo inspection, fumigation and certification procedures. • Waive “cabotage” restrictions and suspend the “third country rule” for drought imports / exports. • Provide military escorts for rail and road convoys and security at logistics hubs where necessary. • Provide GIS mapping of regional ports, road and railway networks and install cargo tracking and monitoring systems on drought relief vehicles and trains. • Sensitise all government transport, customs, port, border, police and security agencies involved in cross border trade and transport regulation on the agreed SADC El Niño Logistics and Coordination Team. An approach is emerging as to how the drought relief imports into the region might be accommodated. The above remains an approximation owing to several uncertainties including: how RSA will utilize its ports for its own import needs; the form, volume, timing and tempo of the Malawi and Zimbabwe imports; and the performance of the various logistics components over the duration of the import program. 26 A detailed country by country analysis leading to aggregation by preferred port and corridors will be required to address the above uncertainties. This will inform the design of a comprehensive Regional Drought Relief Transport and Logistics Plan by the SADC El Niño Logistics and Coordination Team. The preliminary conclusion is that there appears to be sufficient overall regional capacity to handle the combined demand, though inefficiencies in preferred routings will necessarily lead to more costly and time consuming alternatives. El Niño Transport and Logistics Communications Strategy An enormous increase in demand for logistics service in the coming months is expected. To ensure that multiple stakeholders in different countries coordinate and synchronize their responses, it is necessary to have an effective communications strategy. This will not only help operators to prepare, but perhaps allow the importing bodies to reserve capacities and even obtain preferential terms. This information should include details related to volumes, packaging form, and timing. Regional ports, railways and corridor authorities will be approached as soon as sufficient information is available. Major grain handlers and storage operators will also be contacted, earlier to ensure that scarce capacities are best allocated. A robust communication strategy will be required to ensure that planners, operators and other service providers are working on the same plans and targets. The SADC El Niño Logistics and Coordination Team is developing and coordinating the rollout of the communication strategy in conjunction with both affected states and those whose transport networks could be used for imports.