1. HIGHLIGHTS

At the request of the RC/DO Mr. Marc de Bernis, UNJLC has organised and is coordinating the distribution of scare diesel fuel to IOs, NGOs.

At the request of the SRSG Jacques Klien UNJLC is providing diesel fuel to the water and power generating utilities in Monrovia. Fuel is provided by the spare capacity of the WFP leased ship - the Sea Bulk Martin 1.

Also at the request of the RC/DO, UNJLC has facilitated the procurement of cash from a local bank for the payment of UN employee salaries and operating expenses.

UNJLC organised the first Joint Logistics meeting in Liberia on Monday 18 August 03.

2. SECURITY

Security Phase 4 in many parts of the city of Monrovia. Phase 5 is still in effect outside of the city. During the reporting period there have been incidents of car hijacking, robbery and random shooting.

Security assessments and Agency assessments are planned in the coming days for Tubmanburg (north of Monrovia) and Buchanan. These assessments must be coordinated with the Government of Liberia (through operating government ministries) as well as ECOMIL and LURD or MODEL forces as appropriate.

Ross Mountain the newly appointed Special Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance in Liberia is working quickly at bringing increased cohesion and order to the out of city field assessments and to the UN security procedures. He specifically requested: security briefings for newly arrived personnel, ensuring that there is accommodation for personnel wishing to arrive prior to approval of SCRs, and VHF hand-held radios for all UN staff.

UNSECOORD FSCO: Eric Asare +377 47 519 150. UN Liberia Communications Centre: +337 47 559 430.

Emergency contact numbers: ECOMIL Operations Centre +337 47 530 173 or 172.

3. AIR OPERATIONS

Stig Larssen, the Air Transport Officer for UNHAS, is conducting a Liberia air operation assessment mission. His initial assessment has been forwarded electronically.

Liberian CAA is currently operating Roberts International Airport (RIA), the main airport for Monrovia. The RIA airport is also the sole handling agent. There is sufficient ground handling equipment for most aircraft so long as the numbers of aircraft remain small.

There is no ICAO classification of RIA.

ECOMIL and US forces are currently deployed to secure the airport.

DPKO and UNOMISIL is currently flying personnel and equipment into RIA for the ECOMIL forces and also to support the follow-on peacekeeping forces. UNOMSIL is setting up Air Operations and MOVCON.

A large number of ad-hoc charters for UN and NGOs are arriving.

Stig Larssen has arranged for fuel to be delivered to the fire and rescue services of the airport, in order that the airport complies with ICAO safety regulations.

NGOs and IOs will be asked at the Joint Logistics Meeting, if they require service to any airfields in the country - such as Voinjama (north, near Guinea border) or Harper (east on border with Cote D'Ivoire).

Daily UNHAS flights on a LET 410, from Abidjan to RIA, Liberia. Departure from Abidjan 0:900 hrs, arrival 11:30 local time, Liberia.

4. SEA PORT OPERATIONS

A port assessment report of the Freeport of Monrovia was performed by WFP Port Captain Eric. R. Mora B. on 15 and 17 August 2003. The reports have been forwarded electronically to WFP for urgent action.

In general, the port has been extensively looted and vandalised. Most of the infrastructure was damaged during the fighting. Most of the sea containers and all warehouses have been looted and damaged.

At present, ECOMIL forces are securing the port. Captain in Charge is Captain Omar - mobile: + +377 47 530 083. A clean-up and assessment operation being conducted by the National Port Authority (NPA) and Agencies and NGOs. Most NPA staff remain at home, however, it is expected they can quickly return to work when the offices and operating equipment are replaced.

Port Handling Equipment. As the port does not have fixed shore cranes, all vessels calling at the Freeport of Monrovia must self-discharge with their own cranes. Cargo handling equipment such as forklifts, top loaders and tractors were damaged by improper use and require spare parts and repair. NPA has submitted a list of spare parts it considers essential to get the equipment back in working order - This list is in the Port Captains report and was passed to WFP for action. The Port Captain recommends a more detailed technical assessment of the cargo-handling equipment. Port Operations Manager: Julius Gooding +231 51 35 26.

Marine Services. Pilotage, tug assistance and dredging services are officially active, however, a number of their vessels have been damaged and looted and will require anywhere from a few days to a few weeks to become operational. At present, the Pilot Boat can sail immediately, however only on one engine. It is expected that the Tug Boat will be operational in the next few days. The Dredger is in need of major repairs. NPA Port Pilot: +231 51 85 11.

Most Urgent Action. The WFP Port Captain recommends urgent action on the acquisition of the spare parts and equipment identified in Port Assessment - Part 2, Annex 1 and also recommends a follow-up technical assessment of the port handling equipment.

5. BORDER CROSSING, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

Roberts International Airport and the Freeport of Monrovia are officially open to both humanitarian and commercial traffic, although operational restrictions will apply. For detailed restrictions see air operations and sea port assessments.

Border crossings into Sierra Leone and Cote D'Ivoire are officially closed. However, some NGOs have made assessment missions to the border. There are currently no humanitarian or commercial operations or travel within the country.

VISA requirements - laissez passe' is no charge for a VISA. For those arriving without a VISA, airport immigration staffs are charging VISA rates which vary from $50 to $250 USD. UNHAS is working on standardizing rates and procedures.

The Special Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance in Liberia is currently organising joint and coordinated assessment missions into the counties of Liberia which should eventually lead to cross border movement.

Currently, humanitarian cargo is assessed a 5 cent handling fee, whereas regular commercial cargo is assessed 10 cents.

6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE (Roads, Bridges, Rail, Ports, Airports, Warehouse)

Roads are in poor repair with many potholes and soft verges. We are ¼ of the way into the rainy season which can exacerbate the serviceability of roads.

Future plans for joint assessment missions of infrastructure will be determined at the Joint Logistics Meetings (JLMs) based on the requirements of the IOs and NGOs.

Proposals for infrastructure projects - TBD at the JLMs.

Infrastructure projects being implemented by other agencies/organisations - TBI at the JLMs.

Warehouse availability and/or issues - TBD at the JLMs.

7. LOGISTICS COORDINATION

First weekly Joint Logistics Meeting (JLM) took place at 1100hrs Monday 18 August in the WFP Conference room. Twenty five participants attended, including ECOMIL and US JTF representatives. Government customs and immigration representatives were invited, however, none were in attendance. This is understandable given that the current government is still in turmoil. UNJLC will continue to invite all relevant parties to these meetings.

Participants to the meeting expressed two concerns: shortage of diesel fuel, and security for humanitarian operations.

City of Monrovia maps and county maps of the country were distributed to all individuals at the meeting.

8. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION

ECOMIL's first Nigerian battalion (NIBAT 1) is in country and a second Nigerian battalion (NIBAT 2) is currently arriving and will stand-up in a couple of days. These forces will bolster those already posted in Monrovia and on Bushrod Island and enable ECOMIL to expand to the River Po by the end of the week and Buchanan next week.

The First and Second Composite Battalions, which will also become part of ECOMIL and composed of forces from Senegal, Mali, Ghana and Togo, Benin, Gambia, and Guinea Bisau, respectively, will arrive over the next few months. ECOMIL will then be able to enlarge its area of operations beyond the River Po towards the borders.

ECOMIL, UNHC, UNICEF, and UNHCR have contacted the LURD leadership to obtain support for increased access for humanitarian operations - LURD is amenable but may want prior notification. The UNHC will attempt to meet with MODEL leadership this week.

Together, these battalions and the ones already in place will constitute the basis for a much larger multinational peacekeeping force which may be constituted in the October time period.

ECOMIL has limited vehicle support and depends on the humanitarians to provide transport during humanitarian operations. Hopefully, more vehicles will arrive in the near term. Pacific and Atlantic Electronics (PAE) is the contractor providing logistics support to ECOMIL.

ECOMIL provided humanitarians with a HOTLINE for emergency response: +377 47 530 172 / 530 173.

9. FUEL (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene)

At the request of the RC Marc de Bernis, UNJLC organised and coordinated the delivery of diesel fuel from Sea Bulk Martin 1, the WFP leased ship tied up at the Freeport of Monrovia harbour to UN agencies and NGOs. In three days of operation, the ship has provided over 60,000 litres of fuel to IOs and NGOs. The delivery of fuel was authorised by Arnold Vercken. UNJLC is keeping track of quanties of fuel distribution and recipients, and will forward results to WFP.

At the request of the SRSG, Mr. Mountain authorised delivery of fuel to the Liberian Water Supply Company (LWSC) and the Liberian Electrical Company (LEC). These deliveries will assist both utilities in re-establishing power and clean drinking water to the citizens of Monrovia.

Current Exchange Rate. $1USD= 45 Liberian dollars

Future of Fuel Supplies. Edwin Snow, the Managing Director of the Liberian Petroleum Refinery Co. (LPRC) advised that there is an abundance of diesel (800,000 gallons) and a shortage of gasoline (60,000 gallons) in Liberia. Gas stations are beginning to open again and a ship carrying 6000 MT of fuel is scheduled to arrive in the Freeport of Monrovia later this week (3000 MT gasoline, 2000 MT diesel, 1000 MT of jet fuel).

10. LIBERIA UNJLC STAFF

All 3 UNJLC staff are currently accommodated in the WFP chartered ship Sea Bulk Martin 1, which is anchored alongside the main pier in Monrovia harbour. The ship will be departing on 26 August to Abidjan for 7 days to re-supply. Alternate accommodation will have to be found. There is shared office space available on the ship, however it is limited and communications are not good. As of today, the UNJLC staff has been provided office space on the ground floor of the WFP building - opposite the planned Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC). Operational Co-ordinator, Peter Scott-Bowden, will arrive in Monrovia from Abidjan on 20th August. UNJLC contact details are:

David Pittfield: david.pittfield@wfp.org. Pittfield@hotmail.com. Mobile: +377 47 530 093.
Stig Larssen: stig.larsson@wfp.org. Mobile: +377 47 530 092.
Matthew Dee: matthew.dee@wfp.org, m_dee99@yahoo.com. Mobile: +377 47 530 187.

11. OTHER

SRSG Jacques Klein announced that, as soon as practicable, he intends to move UN staff to the outskirts of the City of Monrovia into the old Hotel Africa, a 10 story structure which will require extensive renovation.