UNJLC Pakistan Earthquake
BULLETIN No. 26
Period, Friday, December 16^th – Wednesday December 21^st, 2005

Summary and Highlights
Days since October 8th Earthquake: 74

• IOM's "Winter Racers" and WFP's drop teams, also known as the "Quakejumpers", have combined efforts to determine what aid is necessary for the affected population in inaccessible mountain regions.
  
• The Pakistan Government has officially requested to the respective NATO member states that the fuel farm in Abbottabad, provided by France through NATO, and four NATO German heavy lift CH-53 helicopters, or replacements, remain in country on a bilateral basis after NATO's redeployment at the end of January.
• The UNJLC map of the revised UNHAS passenger service flight schedule is now available to the relief community.
  

Contents

1.    Customs Update
2.    Visa Requirements
3.    Operation "Winter Race"
4.    The NATO Operation
5.    NGO Pipeline Information
6.    Helicopter Update
7.    Mapping: UNHAS Route Map

1. Customs Update

The government of Pakistan has waived customs duty and other taxes on goods imported for the relief operation for a period of three months from the date of the earthquake. To qualify for this exemption, a 'No Objection Certificate' (NOC) must be issued by the Earthquake Relief Cell (ERC) in the Cabinet Division. (Bulletin 16, item 1).

This process has generally run smoothly, but there have been several problems. The first of these is goods not clearly directed for relief. Examples are vehicles, radios, GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment and construction tools. Applicants are advised to include a detailed explanation of why these items are necessary to their operation along with their NOC application.

A second problem has been goods appearing to be for reconstruction rather than relief. These are not yet eligible for the waiver. Goods should be clearly marked as relief items and accompanied by a detailed justification.

The third factor has been goods of Indian origin, even if coming via a third country. Certain products, including stocks of corrugated galvanised iron sheeting for shelter, have been held up in Customs. Agencies and NGOs are therefore encouraged to source their goods from elsewhere to avoid delays. Further information and a copy of the NOC application form can be found at www.unjlc.org.

2. Visa Requirements

In the weeks immediately following the earthquake, foreign aid workers entering Pakistan were exceptionally allowed relief from the usual visa system whereby visitors have to obtain a visa at point of origin before embarking for Pakistan. Instead landing permits for up to three months were issued at the airport. This policy has now been reviewed. All individuals and foreign NGOs are advised to obtain a proper visa before entering the country. Humanitarian workers already in-country will continue to benefit from the former regime.

3. Operation "Winter Race"

WFP and IOM have been airlifting small specialist mountain teams into inaccessible areas to do rapid need assessments. (see Bulletins 11 and 12, item 2) UNJLC has coordinated a plan whereby IOM's "Winter Racers" and WFP's "Quakejumpers" will combine efforts to evaluate the need for both Non Food Items (NFIs) and food and collaborate on distribution to the affected areas.

 4. The NATO Operation

The NATO Disaster Relief Team (NDRT) began operations in Pakistan on November 4th at the request of the Pakistan Government. Its mission, ending on February 1st, is to deliver assistance to as many survivors as possible and help pave the way for the process of reconstruction. Twenty out of the twenty-six NATO countries are participating.

The multi-national effort includes numerous Engineering units, a Water Purification Section, medics and Civil Military Cooperation (CMIC) teams. Reconstruction projects are coordinated with the Government and include repairing roads and bridges. NATO is also supporting Operation Winter Race in setting up living shelters and temporary school and health facilities for communities in the mountains. To date, the NATO Relief Hospital in Bagh and mobile medical teams have treated over 6,000 patients. Helicopters have delivered aid to hard-to-reach mountain regions and performed medical evacuations. In addition, a French fuel farm at Abbottabad is serving the humanitarian air operation.

Further to this, discussions have begun between the FRC and the French and German Governments on the possibility of keeping the French fuel farm and at least two of the four German CH-53's in-country on a bilateral (country-to-country basis) after the NATO withdrawal in February. The outcome is not yet determined.

5. NGO Pipeline Information

DFID is concerned at the absence of an effective NGO coordinating role at both the Islamabad and field level, particularly for pipeline information. UNJLC is deploying an Islamabad-based NGO Co-ordination Officer to partially address this and to ensure that both local and international NGO's are fully aware of the services available to them. Part of this Officer's function will be to further encourage NGO's to provide pipeline information to UNJLC so that there may be more effective planning of the logistical resources required in the coming months.

6. Helicopter Update

Helicopter numbers remain unchanged last week (see Bulletin 25, item 7). The only known addition in the coming week is a Libyan NGO's Mi-8 helicopter which may be deploying, but it is not yet operational.

Sling Operations: UNHAS is operating sling operations out of Mansehra, Abbottabad, Muzaffarabad and Chatterplain. Currently it has 20 2.5 tonne nets, 30 5 tonne nets and five 18 tonne nets. Thirty-five more 5 tonne nets and 30 2.5 tonne nets are on their way. The US military will soon deploy fourteen net builders who will be tasked by UNHAS to meet its additional requirements. Sling nets are essential to the air relief effort as they allow helicopters to carry more supplies than they could internally, significantly increase turnaround time and allow loads to be dropped where the helicopters may not be able to land.

Helipad Winterization: UNHAS has now posted details on the website on the correct process necessary to winterize helicopter landing zones in preparation for the months ahead. It is essential that these guidelines be followed by all those who have responsibility for the sites.

AirServ Operation: AirServ, are currently operating two squirrels for MSF Holland out of Muzaffarabad. At present, MSF has some extra hours available to other organisations at no extra cost. As of January, they are looking to have one aircraft taken over by other organisations. If this cannot be arranged, both aircraft will be sent home. A declaration of interest should be channelled to Airserv/MSF before December 28th.

Passenger Service: As of this week, UNHAS is operating one flight a day to Bana. This will help ease the problems caused by restrictions on using the Balakot to Bana road.

7.    Mapping: UNHAS Route Map

UNJLC has developed a downloadable A4-sized map containing the routes flown by the regular UNHAS Mi-8 helicopter passenger service in the earthquake-affected area. The new version, shown here, can be found at www.unjlc.org/pakistan/maps/UNHASPaxroutes/. Printed copies can be obtained by contacting UNJLC. Further updates will be made available as the schedule changes.