UNJLC bulletins aim to provide a concise weekly overview of UNJLC activities and the present logistical situation in regard to the crisis in the Middle East. In addition, sector/country specific reports will be released regularly in order to provide in-depth coverage of priority areas.

CONTENTS:

• 1. SECURITY
• 2. HIGHLIGHTS OPERATIONAL UPDATES
• 3. AIR OPS
• 4. BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS
• 5. LOGISTICS (Stock/Warehousing)
• 6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
• 8. FUEL
• 9. CMCoord

1. SECURITY

A map of current security phases is available at http://www.agoodplacetostart.org/security.php

Iraq: On 24 April a security assessment was carried out in Basrah, and on 26 April a first UN inter-agency mission is scheduled to visit the city. The inter-agency mission will commence assessments of the overall humanitarian situation, and search for suitable premises in order to re-establish UN presence in Basrah.

- HOC informed that the 1st Marine Engineer force verbally indicated that the whole American sector south of Baghdad would soon be declared “Permissive”. The HOC did, however, issue a warning that the area would still have a relatively high risk of theft and petty crime.

- The entire British Sector in the South has been declared “permissive”.

- UN Security phase IV in Um Qasr, Nazariyeh and Safwan.

Iran: UN security phase III remains in the area neighbouring Iraq; phase I elsewhere.

Jordan: Security phase III remains in the country.

Kuwait is in UN security phase III.

Syria: The country is in security phase I.

Turkey: Security phase II in South East and phase I elsewhere.

2. HIGHLIGHTS OPERATIONAL UPDATES

WFP food dispatches into Northern Iraq began on 3 April. As of 23 April, a total of 42529.162 MT of food supplies have been dispatched into Iraq – Dahuk, Erbil, Sulimaniya, Kirkuk, Mosul and Baghdad.

Iran: UN Convoys and missions have been successfully crossing the border at Shalamchah, Mehran and Penjwin carrying water, food and medical supplies despite delays of several days. During the reporting period, 40 MT of health/medical supplies were transported into Iraq by MSF, in addition to the 12 trucks of health/medical supplies moved in by UNICEF.

Jordan: During the reporting period – 18 April to 24 April – 3 trucks carrying health supplies of Emergency Doctors of German (EDG), 1 truck carrying MDM Greece health/NFI/food supplies and 5 trucks carrying MSF supplies have been dispatched.

Syria: MDM Greece reached Baghdad through Al Tanf on Monday, 14 April. They returned safely to Syria on 18 April. A team of MSF Spain crossed the border into Iraq from Syria and has reached Mosul. As of 25th April, 11 WFP trucks carrying food supplies crossed into Iraq at Al Rubiah heading for Mosul.

Turkey: The first team of UN International Staff from Larnaca entered Iraq via Turkey on Sunday 20th April, entering into Iraq via Habur/Silopi border crossing. UNICEF moved 7 trucks of medical/health supplies across the border into Northern Iraq during the week. As noted above WFP deliveries began on 3 April; the past week seeing significant convoys of food involving hundreds of vehicles into N. Iraq.

3. AIR OPS

- The Belgium Air Force is presently preparing one C-130 with UN markings for the use of UNHAS. The aircraft should be available towards the end of this week and will operate in both Strategic and Regional Roles.

- The IL 76 is booked for strategic cargo flights between Europe and the region until the 28th of April, after which it is available for all humanitarian agencies.

- The AN12 is still available on an ad hoc basis, and therefore no fixed schedule is issued. This will change as soon as re-entry is in progress and a larger demand for the usage of this aircraft will mature.

- The flight schedules of the UNHAS passenger and cargo planes are published at the UNJLC website. Booking procedures are also available there.

- For cargo flight booking contact Einar Schjolberg at Einar.Schjolberg@wfp.org. Bookings should be made following the cargo booking procedures.

Dubai: UNHAS Dubai have obtained blanket landing and over flight clearance for the UNHAS aircraft operating out of Dubai as well as tax exemptions from landing and parking fee.

Iraq: Coalition Forces have appointed an interim "Minister of Civil Aviation" with the intention to transfer control of civil aviation to a re-constituted Ministry of Civil Aviation by the end of 2003. Meanwhile, the small team in charge of the Ministry will include representatives from ICAO, the FAA and Iraqi staff.

- Air Traffic Control radars require replacement or substantial repair. Runways at some airfields will have to be repaired before normal operations can resume. Most civilian navigational aids (including VOR and ILS) are undamaged but some need to be checked and re-calibrated before they can be considered safe for civilian aircraft. Further details are available at the UNJLC website.

- Iraq airspace is closed and prior authorisation of the Coalition is required before entering Iraq airspace, pending declaration of cessation of hostilities. A system of SLOTs packages will be Co-ordinated by UNJLC and the different humanitarian operators in the area.

- UN flight into Harir to the East of Erbil still awaits clearance from Coalition.

Jordan: Royal Jordanian (RJ) (the company which charges for ground handling fees at Queen Alia airport), in response to a request from UNJLC/ UN RC, has proposed to reduce ground handling fees:
a) Less than 3 flights: The charges will be as per the regular ad-hoc prices ground hanlding prices based on the type and the maximum take off weight (MTOW) of the aircraft.
b) 3 to 9 flights: The charges will be 20% less than the regular ad-hoc prices based on the type and the MTOW of the aircraft.
c) 10 flights and up: The charges will be 40% less of the regular ad-hoc prices based on the type and MTOW of the aircraft.

Saudi Arabia: The blanket clearance for Saudi airspace has been obtained as of 22 April for an unspecified period of time. These clearances apply to the flights between Kuwait and Amman.

Syria: UNJCL has obtained Tax Exceptions for all UN and NGO,s Humanitarian Flights covering any Landing, Lighting, Parking and Hangar Storage charges according MoT decree 404. For ground handling official contact is Syrian Arab Airlines, or one of their sub contractors.

Turkey: In general the situation has been changing from day to day with regards to Entry / Exit Points and Airways available. As of 24th of April, the only available Exit / Entry Point between Turkey and Iran is DASIS. Operators can obtain the latest news from CAA Ankara or Local handling agents.

4. BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS

Looking forward: when UN sanctions on Iraq are lifted, commercial traffic will likely return to pre- Gulf War One and Oil for Food Programme levels. The level of traffic at the major border crossing points in Turkey, Jordan, and Kuwait could thus go up to 8,000 vehicle movements per crossing per day. This additional congestion at the entry points – as well as that brought on by reconstruction materials and unsolicited humanitarian commodities - could slow down operations. If this proves a problem actions will need to be taken to guarantee free passage of humanitarian traffic. UNJLC has brought this problem to the attention of the Coalition Partners. In Turkey and Jordan procedures have been agreed to facilitate humanitarian passage, notably 24/7 operation and dedicated lanes for WFP and/or UN humanitarian cargo. UNJLC officers will be looking at promoting such facilities throughout the region where appropriate.

In addition the procedures and documentation required for border crossing into are being collated and published on the UNJLC website.

Jordan: The border is open for all humanitarian convoys. Certain NGOs have reported difficulty in crossing into Iraq without valid Iraqi visas leading to discussions with the MFA in order to resolve this issue.

Syria: The letter to obtain an umbrella clearance for all UN agencies, IOM, and implementing partners has been approved as of 22nd of April. All agencies should send this letter to the forwarding/clearing agents. The letter should be attached to the waybill/packing list for import, export and transit of good through Syria. For assistance, the Office Manager of the Director of Customs Department, Mr. Nasser Diab, can be contacted at + 963 93 215 014.

Iran: During a meeting with BAFIA, WFP and UNJLC, it was confirmed that in addition to the official OFF crossing points at Khosravi, the crossings at Shalamchah, Mehran, Bashmegh/Penjwin and Hajji Umran are available for cross-border operations of humanitarian relief agencies. It was also highlighted that before BAFIA would issue a permit to cross the border, the MFA needed to issue clearance for the commodities being taken across the border.

5. LOGISTICS (Stock/Warehousing)

Jordan: The Jordanian Crisis Management Centre (CMC) needs to be notified of all humanitarian cargo arriving/ departing from Jordan to Iraq - no correspondence/approval is required from Ministry of Interior. The letter of notification must originate from UN agency/NGO (not from forwarding company). Cargo manifests will now be valid from entry AND exit of humanitarian supplies from warehouses thereby reducing paperwork.

Iran: UNJLC is in the process of compiling a detailed picture of the warehousing occupied by the humanitarian community in Kermanshah.

6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Iran: According to agencies present in Iran, the main transport arteries are in good condition and capable of supporting all projected humanitarian and commercial traffic.

Iraq: An assessment of the Umm Qasr railway network by the coalition revealed that the lines from Umm Qasr to Basrah and from Basrah to An Nasiriyah (and potentially to Baghdad) are as they were before the war, and by local standards the infrastructure is ready to use.

8. FUEL

Fuel prices table

Informal information from ORHA, CLFCC, HOC, together with information from inside Iraq, have resulted in a changed view of the fuel situation and outlook. The oil situation, whilst not ideal, seems to be less problematic than initially anticipated. In lieu of a separate fuel update, this bulletin contains an outline of the fuel situation in Iraq.

As of 26 April 2003:

The oil terminals are resuming production, under a combination of Iraqi labour and Coalition efforts. The Kirkuk terminal is pumping crude into the system. Mosul and Kirkuk refineries are operational and producing refined product. Baghdad and Dowrah refineries: local managers are working with ORHA, and the employees are returning to work. At Basrah refinery there is significant diesel product in the storage tanks.

The Ramallah Oil Fields are working but the link pipeline has developed a break. Of concern is that the break was reportedly caused by ordinance and thus will require EOD clearance prior to fixing. This may affect the flow to Basrah at a critical time. Work is being undertaken to by pass the area affected so that the damage can be isolated and hopefully minimised.

The Oil industry is reportedly run by the Iraqi companies and, in the main, workers have returned; last week they were paid by the companies. The Coalition appears to have adopted a primarily procurement role in support of the existing oil companies.

Supplies are being received at fuel stations. However UNJLC has reports of lines of cars at some stations. Diesel remains available but (leaded) gasoline is in short supply. Unleaded petrol is unavailable. Prices vary from 20 ID per litre for 80 Octane and 50 ID per litre for 90 Octane. A price rise is expected during the next week for gasoline. This will revert downwards soon when the Basrah Refinery comes into production.

LPG supplies are an area of concern. The major filling plants around Baghdad (Taji, Rasafa and Dowrah) are reportedly nearly out of supplies and the price has risen over 20 times from 250ID to 5000 ID. To resolve this the large production facilities at Kirkuk and Basrah will need to provide product.

ORHA has already received a donation of 25,000 gallons/day for 1 month from the Kuwaiti Oil Co. for the Iraqi water and power system. The Salvation Army’s request for 3500 bottles of propane has also been granted.

The focal points for fuel information are Iain.kinnear@wfp.org and morten.sejr@wfp.org

9. CMCoord

Iraq: As of 23 April, the Czech/Slovak NBC Battalion is distributing water in the Basrah area and is capable of rendering emergency medical care. The Czech 7th Field Hospital is being deployed to Basrah, and is estimated to be operational by 5 May. With a total medical staff of 116 personnel, including 16 medical doctors, it is capable of performing level 3 medical care. It is scheduled to remain in place until end of the year to assist in rebuilding the indigenous medical capacity through training and delivery of equipment.

- ORHA-South has established their office in Um Qasr. Another office will be set up in Basrah in the coming weeks.
- The main ORHA and Coalition offices will be moving to Baghdad in the coming week.