Summary and Highlights

Days since October 8th Earthquake:172

• UNJLC has released an accessibility analysis map of the affected area based on terrain and transport infrastructure to assist in return and reconstruction activities.
• Import and Export No Objection Certificate (NOC) procedures have changed as of 15/03/06. Import NOCs for rehabilitation and reconstruction commodities should now be requested through ERRA. 
• The UN Country Team in Pakistan has identified its requirements for a continued UNHAS fleet of 13 helicopters. This fleet plan remains subject to funding and project approval by ERRA.
  

Contents

1.    Mapping
2.    UNJLC Mission Update
3.    Customs Advisory
4.    Aviation Update: Helicopter Status

1. Mapping

UNJLC is in the process of expanding road conditions reporting in order to cover all operationally significant destinations. This project is being assisted by coordinated help from UNDSS and UNOPS. Meanwhile, continued improvements to roads data, HLZ data, and warehousing data, are available on this week's release of UNJLC's main map series. Please click for all UNJLC map --> and road updates -->

To provide logistics support for IDP returns and reconstruction activities, UNJLC has also released an accessibility analysis of the affected area based on terrain and transport infrastructure. This tool takes the numbers and destinations of returnees based on the UNHCR data set and incorporates the information into a cost-weighted distance analysis to determine which areas of return will not be accessible by road or foot, taking into consideration all known roads which have been open at least part of the time and the difficulty of the terrain beyond. These maps are designed to provide improved method planning for both distribution and movement and incorporate improved road network data accumulated during ongoing efforts to assess priority roads throughout the affected area.

2. UNJLC Mission Update

As reported in bulletin 39, item 3, the Heads of Cluster have expressed a continuing need for UNJLC support in the relief operation, and as a result of this the Humanitarian Coordinator has officially requested the extension of UNJLC's mandate in Pakistan until June 30th, 2006. The budget revision for this extension was forwarded to the regional bureau in Cairo on Monday March 27th. Official confirmation of the proposed extension has not yet been received. 

3. Customs Advisory

Import NOC (No Objection Certificate) procedures have changed as of March 15th, 2006. The current procedure requires a letter to be written to ERRA on organisation letterhead justifying that the imported commodities are needed for rehabilitation and reconstruction use for the benefit of the earthquake victims. This should be accompanied by all relevant import documents and delivered to the ERRA office. Most goods except vehicles will be covered under this system, including operational support equipment such as computers and radios. For complete information and pertinent addresses please see www.unjlc.org/pakistan.

Due to financial reporting requirements it is necessary for all exporters of non-commercial shipments to obtain an Export NOC from the Ministry of Commerce before export clearance can be given. There are two different NOC applications; one for the re-export of imported goods and one for the export of goods acquired within Pakistan. Both should be requested by official letter through the Ministry of Commerce and accompanied by the appropriate documentation. The intended port of departure should be noted so the relevant customs office can be informed. This procedure takes two to three days. Upon receipt, the customs broker will require the NOC for completion of the export documentation. For complete information and pertinent addresses please see www.unjlc.org/pakistan.

4. Aviation Update: Helicopter Status

Helicopter capacity is due to decrease once again this week when the 4 US Chinooks, 2 German Stallions and 2 Australian Blackhawks currently tasked by UNHAS cease operations on March 31st according to their mandate. The UN country team has now officially identified its requirements and approved the budget for a continuing UNHAS fleet of 13 helicopters. This fleet plan is still pending funding and project approval by the Pakistan government. Meanwhile the US Military fuel farm at Muzaffarabad was handed over to the Pakistan Army on March 28th. On March 29th, they announced that fuel would only be available at Muzaffarabad until March 31st. Thereafter, all operators would have to make their own refuelling arrangements. UNHAS has made arrangements to refuel its Muzaffarabad-based helicopters with the use of bowsers. The French fuel farm has also ceased operations in Abbottabad and a similar system of bowsers is now in place.

ICRC has once again reduced its air capacity with the March 25th redeployment of its Kamov 32. The ICRC Mi-8 and Super Puma will remain in-country until April 1st.

Due to bad weather, cargo and passenger flights were cancelled on March 23rd and March 26th. To date, 23,841 MT of humanitarian air cargo has been moved through the UNJLC cargo movement request procedure.