UNJLC Pakistan Earthquake
BULLETIN No. 22
Period, Tuesday November 29th - Thursday December 1st 2005

UNJLC Bulletins aim to provide a clear and concise regular overview of the situation as it exists in the earthquake-affected area of Pakistan and contiguous areas with regards to logistics matters affecting relief work by the humanitarian community. They focus on practical issues that affect the welfare of the afflicted populace and related humanitarian work such as the status of transport routes for humanitarian supplies and personnel into the area, relevant administrative or commercial developments, air (including strategic airlift and helicopter operations), Customs and immigration matters, and availability of accommodation and fuels. They further seek to identify major issues for the humanitarian community and other interested parties, to provide relevant background and constructive recommendations on current issues, and to alert responsible parties to emerging issues. This bulletin was produced daily from October 17th - 22nd, but as the emergency matured it was produced on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and since November 24th is now produced on Mondays and Thursdays in coordination with the central Logistics Cluster Meeting in Islamabad.

Summary and Highlights               Days since October 8th Earthquake: 54

• The logistics cluster contribution to the 90 day Humanitarian Action Plan is under development and will be circulated for feedback amongst the cluster soon.
• UNJLC will be launching a comprehensive range of new and enhanced information products in response to the changing operating environment and feedback received from partners.
• The UNJLC map of flight schedule for the UNHAS passenger service has been updated and is now available to the relief community.

Contents

1.  Logistics Cluster Overview
2.  UNJLC Products & Services Update
3.  MSF Helicopters
4.  Customs Procedures and NFI Pipeline
5.  UNJLC Transport Coordination
6.  UNHAS Schematic Flight Map

1. Logistics Cluster Overview

Following the initial 30 day Humanitarian Action Plan, the 90-day plan, currently being finalised, reflects the strategy of each of the ten clusters for the next three months. The goal of the plan is to provide a strategic overview of the respective cluster plans that translates down to the operational objectives of the clusters in the field. The logistics cluster component of the plan is currently being finalised in accordance with other cluster requirements, and will provide details on the provision of services available to the humanitarian community. This will include the UNJLC coordinated IOM, ATLAS, WFP and UNHAS combined cargo movement request service. Once finalized, the plan will be circulated for review by the Head of the Cluster for feedback.

2. UNJLC Products & Services Update

UNJLC's Special Operation activation mandate for Pakistan emphasises two core areas: on one hand, Logistics Information Management, aimed at collecting, collating and disseminating logistics related information, to identify and address potential and actual bottlenecks; on the other, Infrastructure Assessment, to provide accurate and timely information, pertinent to the maintenance of key humanitarian corridors, including roads, bridges and warehouses.

UNJLC's operational focus to date has been on providing basic logistical information products, including Information Bulletins, Schematic Maps, a 'Yellow Pages' guide and information on operating and customs clearance procedures. This first wave of products was aimed at supporting the rapid deployment of the relief operation to ensure delivery of emergency supplies. However, as the logistical operation expands and diversifies, UNJLC's second wave of products will both reflect the change in the operational context and incorporate feedback from operational partners on their future needs regarding logistical information.

In addition to the road updates (see Bulletin 21, items 2 and 4), new and expanded information products will include further development of the successful UNJLC schematic map of transport routes, focusing on key valleys, including Neelum, Jheelum, Leepa, Khaghan and Allai. Other products and assessments currently under development include a comprehensive fuel survey and a 'rough guide' to humanitarian support facilities for key field locations. Existing products will also be expanded. The customs information currently provided will, for example, be extended to cover issues including a tax exempt vehicle import guide and detailed briefs on Karachi ports.

3. MSF Helicopters

Following recent discussions on the use of helicopter assets to conduct rapid assessments of roads, MSF Holland has offered the humanitarian community access to its two Muzaffarabad based A350 'Squirrel' helicopters. Requests can be made by NGOs, to conduct assessment flights in the affected area and for transport of personnel. However, agencies should note that the 'Squirrels' have a limited cargo capacity of approximately 350kg.

Any agency wishing to avail themselves of this offer may contact the MSF Holland logistics team on 0300 852 6616 or via e-mail: msfh-abbottabad@field.amsterdam.msf.org, to obtain further details.

4. Customs Procedures and NFI Pipeline

In previous field updates, the availability and pricing of key NFI items, such as metal sheeting for emergency shelter repair kits (see Bulletin 16, item 2) has been outlined. Furthermore, the Irish NGO GOAL has reported delays bringing metal sheeting (CGI) through the port of Karachi. Two issues have risen: firstly, since the sheets originate from India, import restrictions designed to protect the local manufacturing industry have proved problematic; secondly, clarification on what goods qualify for exemption under the Customs waivers, issued to support the relief effort, is insufficient. UNJLC is working both to clarify the procedures and the list of goods exempt for duty with the Cabinet Division and the Federal Relief Commission (FRC), and will provide feedback once this has been obtained.

5. UNJLC Transport Coordination

The UNJLC in Pakistan, specifically the Transport Operations Coordination Cell, is responsible for the coordination of in-country transport of humanitarian cargo that uses the air assets of UNHAS and the trucking assets of IOM and ATLAS. This service provides UN Agencies and NGOs with free road and/or air transport from the Islamabad area to the final destination.

The process requires the applicant to prepare and submit a UNJLC Cargo Movement Request (MovReq) form. UNJLC's Transport team then checks the form for inclusion of all necessary detail, eligibility and priority, before passing a transport request to the trucking or air transport provider, IOM, Atlas Logistique or the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS). On November 21st the Heads of Clusters decided that priority for movement requests should be fixed at 70% of available capacity for food items and the remaining 30% for non-food items (NFI).

Movement of cargo all the way to the final destination by truck or by air is fairly straightforward. As soon as the consignment is ready, trucks are dispatched to the departure point warehouse, where they load up and head to the destination, as road and other conditions allow.  By air, it is vital to ensure that the load is aboard the aircraft in sufficient time prior to departure so that the flight leaves on time.  When movement by road and air is planned, it becomes necessary to arrange intermediate warehouse accommodation. The challenge then becomes to align flight availability with that of warehouse and trucks.

6. UNHAS Schematic Flight Map

The updated UNHAS passenger schematic flight plan is now available on both the UNJLC and the Humanitarian Information Centre websites.  Please note the alternating direction of the flights three days per week as of December 1st.