UNJLC Indian Ocean Tsunami (IOT) Terms of References 

• Introduction
• 1. Objectives of UNJLC Intervention
• 2. IOT Structure
• 3. IOT Project Areas and Activities

Introduction

The United Nations Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC) was created to complement and co-ordinate the logistics capabilities of co-operating humanitarian agencies during large-scale and complex emergencies.  A standing UNJLC has been established in Rome, with the status of an inter-agency unit with technical and administrative support provided by its host Agency, The World Food Programme (WFP).  For specific operations, the UNJLC is activated by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee – Working Group (IASC-WG), following an established protocol.

1. Objectives of UNJLC Intervention

The objectives of the UNJLC intervention include ensuring uninterrupted, timely and cost effective logistics activities in relation to the subsequent relief and recovery operations envisaged. In addition to this, the established regular coordination mechanism with humanitarian and non-humanitarian actors will be maintained with the responsibility gradually handed over to the relevant civil and UN authorities.  The relevant civilian and UN authorities shall be included in UNJLC activities from the onset of operations thus insuring an unencumbered and gradual hand-over.

2. IOT Structure

During the initial phase of the operation, operations will be coordinated from the Core Unit in Rome with UNJLC cells covering the region, and based in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. The main office of UNJLC for this operation will be established in Bangkok with a back-stop office in Rome and an air hub (staging head) will be set up in Malaysia.

The UNJLC will be fully integrated into the UN co-ordination structure and report to the RC’s/HC’s offices, while also receiving support from and maintain close links with the respective WFP Country Offices and the UNJLC Core Unit in Rome.

3. IOT Project Areas and Activities

UNJLC will be involved in the following areas:

1.  Air Coordination Cell for Strategic and Regional Air Operations:  Create Air Coordination Cells (initially in WFP HQ, Rome, with relocation to most suitable locations in the field) to:

• 1) solicit, assist, and prioritize requirements for air transportation,
• 2) in coordination with MCDU, solicit national air assets and prioritize airlift requirements,
• 3) liaise with regional and local air management entities and
• 4) provide timely and accurate information on air transport operations.

A close collaboration structure will be set up with WFP Air Operations who will set a Humanitarian Air Service. While HAS will execute the air operations, UNJLC will coordinate, prioritise and task where necessary.

2.  General Logistics Co-ordination: Where required, establish and support appropriate inter-agency logistics co-ordination structures at all levels of the operation.  Through this process, anticipate, identify and address any logistics bottlenecks affecting the humanitarian efforts as a whole.

3.  Movement Co-ordination: Assist in the establishment of surface and air corridors and de-conflict with Military Entities. Assist where necessary with the prioritization of cargo by air and/or surface transport, mostly managed by WFP; Through a Movement Coordination Center assist with movement control of cargo and people, where appropriate and relevant. Maintain a database of available logistics assets and conduct liaison with all relevant parties offering those assets to humanitarian organizations.

4. Logistics Information Management:  Collect, collate and disseminate, in a  timely  manner,  appropriate logistics-related information in support of individual  agency  logistics planning and response efforts and in full cooperation with other UN common services.  Provide data tracking for all humanitarian aid deliveries.

5.  Fuel Cell:  Analyze and assess the fuel needs of the Humanitarian operation as well as the indigenous fuel systems in place.  Provide timely and relevant information about fuel concerns and issues, where necessary organize and/or facilitate delivery of fuels as required to humanitarian agencies.

6.  Logistics-Related Civil-Military Coordination (CMCoord):  Under the guidance  of  the  relevant UN authorities and in full cooperation with any OCHA  CMCoord Officers deployed in the region, provide qualified logistics  personnel  to  address  logistics-related  matters with Military Entities,  including  the de-conflicting of humanitarian and military movements by road, rail, river and air through a Movement Coordination Center, and conduct relevant liaison with all parties involved.

7.  Customs/Immigration support: Under guidance of relevant UN senior management, conduct negotiations where necessary with relevant authorities to facilitate cross border movements of staff and relief commodities.

ENDS