Consolidated Weekly Sitrep 7th April 2006

1. Security
2. Air Operations
3. Customs and Immigration
4. Roads
5. Logistics
6. Civil Military Logs
7. NFI Pipeline
8. Warehousing
9. Market Survey
10. Other Information

1.    SECURITY

General

• A bomb exploded in Karachi on Thursday, April 6th. The target appears to have been a prominent Pakistani Shiite leader.

Bagh

• Demonstrations have been taking place in Bagh over Government compensation.
• These protests have not been directed at the humanitarian community, however as a precaution UN and NGO staff working in the area have been warned to stay clear of the demonstration areas. OCHA will be meeting with the local Government to discuss the issue.
  

Batagram

• After a March 21st distribution by UNICEF in Gijbori Union Council, rumours circulated that some of the items were inscribed in a way which insulted the Muslim religion.
• Despite a combined investigation by UNDSS in which the local authorities and local religious leaders which proved these rumours to be unfounded, these items have been burned in public demonstrations.
• UNICEF can no longer travel in their marked vehicles.
• Batagram town remains off-limits to international staff during Friday prayers.
  

• An earthquake of 4.8 on the Richter scale occurred in Batagram on April 4th. Many buildings in the area suffered damage, including the hotel where the majority of local UN organisations shared office space.
• This building has now been officially closed by UNDSS.
• An assessment of all local UN office accommodation is scheduled to take place on April 8th.
  

Muzaffarabad

• There has been some tension between local religious leaders and the expatriate relief community currently based in Muzaffarabad.
• So far this is not restricting agency and NGO operations.
  

2.    AIR OPERATIONS

General

• Helicopter capacity decreased dramatically this week as the 4 US Chinooks, 2 German Stallions and 2 Australian Blackhawks formerly tasked by UNHAS ceased operations on March 31st.
• The revised UNHAS fleet plan of 12 helicopters, which has been approved by the UN Country team, has now been funded for the month of April.
• While awaiting this funding, UNHAS was forced to substantially reduce its operation from April 1st to 4th, resulting in the cancellation of passenger flights at the start of the week.
• Further revisions to the fleet plan may be required as of May. Agencies and NGOs requiring cargo and passenger transport are encouraged to contact UNHAS as soon as possible with their projections.
  

• The humanitarian community is currently unable to serve the villages of Banamula, Chaqmuqam, Jabber Buruha and Chilehana due to the fact that the Pakistan Military is not authorising the majority of flight plans to these locations.

Bagh

• UNICEF ran an air cargo operation into Bedhi on April 6th due to continuing road inaccessibility.
• UNICEF will also be requesting air support to send post-return monitoring teams into the Bedhi area.
  

Batagram

• Air cargo operations from Chatterplain have slowed substantially over these last weeks due to the transition from relief to reconstruction.

Muzaffarabad

• The US fuel farm was officially handed over to the Pakistan Military on Tuesday, March 28th, prior to the withdrawal of US forces on March 31st. The US left behind 29,000 gallons of fuel for humanitarian use, which is sufficient to cover approximately 14 days of Muzaffarabad-based relief flights. However as of April 1st, humanitarian access to this fuel has been denied.
• UNHAS is currently being forced to refuel out of Abbottabad until a system of bowsers can be put in place, increasing both the cost and time of operations.
• Once this system is established, UNHAS may be able to offer a bill-back service to other operators. 
• MSF-Holland and ICRC currently have their own refueling arrangements.
  

3.    CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

• Import NOC (No Objection Certificate) procedures changed as of March 15th, 2006. The new regulations require an application to ERRA, which must then be forwarded to the Cabinet Division.
• Despite assurances that no delays would be incurred, the new system is resulting in much longer processing times.  UNJLC is currently addressing the issue.
  

4.    ROADS

General

• UNJLC field staff are continuing road assessments to collect priority road GPS data and assist in transport requirements.
• Click here for maps--> and detailed road assessments-->
  
• Click here for the latest road status updates and corresponding maps-->
  

Bagh

• Most area routes are now open, however work is still ongoing to clear the landslide between Sudhan Ghali and Chikar.
• The key route from Lasdanna to Haji Pir and Bedhi also remains blocked and clearance may take another two to four weeks.
• UNOPS is in discussion with the local authorities to find ways to speed up the process.
• The route from Haji Pir to Bedhi has now been assessed by UNJLC, UNOPS and UNDSS. This required a helicopter drop into the area.
  

• UNJLC and UNOPS have assessed routes from Sudhan Ghali to Chikar and from Ghaziabad to Chirala and Kohala Kahutta.
• This will provide returnees with a simpler route across this area and also reduce journey times between Muzaffarabad and Bagh.
  

• UNOPS has collected further data for the Rawalakot area.

Batagram

• On DSS request, UNJLC conducted road assessments this week on behalf of UNICEF.
• As a precautionary measure, UNDSS is still not sanctioning road clearance activities along many secondary roads for at least two days after heavy rains.
  

Muzaffarabad

• The roads from Kohala to Nammol, Kohala to Khan Kalan, Chamm to Chinar and Hattian Bala to the Lipa Pass have been surveyed in preparation for IDP returns.
• The Neelum valley road is now being travelled and IDP returns have begun along it. However the road remains highly dangerous.  
• UNDSS is currently introducing a new system of clearances. This will mean dangerous roads can be travelled, but only with the application of strict security guidelines. 
• UNJLC is examining a possible alternative route to Panjkot and possibly Nauseri and Batnara.
  

• The Lipa Pass to Bana Mula route has now been assessed by UNJLC, UNOPS and UNDSS. The road is passable as far as Reshian, at which point it becomes extremely dangerous.
• The road is Red No Go for routine missions. If agencies or NGOs are obliged to travel this road they are encouraged to check with UNDSS for assistance.

• The Jhelum valley road is open to Hattian Bala but remains closed by a landslide after this point.
•  The Chinari Landslide is expected be cleared today (Friday, April 7th). However there remains a high risk of further landslides.
  

6.    LOGISTICS

Bagh

• IOM began moving the first UN assisted convoys on April 1st.
• Independent returns had already begun due to the fast closure of IDP camps by the local authorities.
• IOM has now established a transport schedule which takes into account driver fatigue and road conditions. However some changes have been made in order to accommodate IDPs who wish to leave sooner.
  

• These changes are preventing more people leaving on foot under dangerous conditions, but are causing some concern over the provision of guide vehicles and staff.
• UNHCR has sped up its pre-registration process in a bid to assist the process.
  

Batagram

• Following the guidelines of the Return Framework, local Heads of Cluster have stated that sufficient NFI have been distributed locally and that return assistance packages should now be considered on a community basis once the return is complete.
• OCHA has called a logistics meeting to discuss the level of remaining stocks, the possible creation of a contingency stock for pre-winter distribution and long-term storage arrangements for these goods.
  

• Batagram area IDP returns were slowed slightly by rain this last week, however the returns process is now almost finished and only a small residual caseload is expected to remain by the weekend.
• The Meira camp in Besham, the Siran Sialkot camp in the Siran Valley and the Ghari Habibullah in Balakot will be kept open and run by the Regional Relief Coordinator to assist the most vulnerable people until long-term solutions can be found.
• The status of returns already completed in the Batagram area as of March 26th is as follows: (Source - OCHA)
  

• The IDP returns process is continuing, with around 773 families (4,272 people) moved so far under the official process.
• An incident occurred in which an IOM IDP returns convoy got stuck in a volatile landslide zone for 90 minutes due to the weight of traffic and road conditions.
• UNJLC have offered to consult in partnership with UNDSS on the safe transit and proper conduct of convoys.
• IOM has requested monitoring assistance into Lipa from UNJLC, UNDSS and UNOPS due to the danger of the road.
  

7.    CIVIL-MILITARY LOGS

Bagh

• The 6th Engineering Batallion has been requested by ERRA to return all the hired plant it has been using to clear roads.
• Many Bagh area roads are prone to landslides and this will affect road clearance activities in the area.
  

Muzaffarabad

• Five Brigades have now withdrawn from the Muzzafarabad area due to the transition from the military to the civilian authorities.
• This has made it substantially more difficult to obtain road status updates.
  

8. NFI PIPELINE

General

• UNJLC has been using the LSS (Logistics Supply System) to compile pipeline data from agencies and NGOs participating in the humanitarian operation. The goal of this project was to provide an overview of NFI data and provide for forward planning.
• As of March 31st, the UNJLC LSS project has reached its conclusion to correspond with the transition from relief to recovery.
• All final LSS figures and products compiled by UNJLC are published on the UNJLC website. These can be found at www.unjlc.org/pakistan/supply_chain/.
  

9. WAREHOUSING

Bagh

• The transfer of the former GOAL temporary warehouse to STC UK was halted last week, however UNICEF has now taken it over and will provide STC UK with storage space.
• Two 7x9 temporary warehouses formerly located at the helipad for Pakistan Army use have been dismantled.
• Islamic Relief, MSF and ADRA have all expressed interest in taking these over.
  

Batagram

• There are still remaining stocks of NFI in local warehouses.
• Long term storage for these may be necessary since immediate NFI distribution has been halted under the guidelines of the Return Framework.
  

Muzaffarabad

• OXFAM requires warehousing in Lower Chatter.
• MSF Holland has dismantled their local warehouse.
  

10. COMMODITY AVAILABILITY

General

• For details of suppliers in the affected area see the UNJLC yellow pages at www.unjlc.org/pakistan.

11. OTHER INFORMATION

General

• ERRA has not yet approved UNOPS continued assistance in the Pakistan relief operation, and UNOPS exit date has been revised to April 20th.
• This will impact road assessments in hard to access areas and road clearance work currently performed by UNOPS teams.
• UNICEF has requested that UNOPS stay on to provide support for the IDP returns process and post-returns monitoring and is prepared to cover the cost of this service.
  

Batagram

• The UN Camp in Batagram is already downsizing and the closing date has been set for April 30th, although this may be extended until May 15th should there prove to be a need.
• OCHA will be holding a Hub Cluster retreat this weekend to devise and agree on a UN exit strategy from Batagram and a coordinated handover to the local Batagram administration.