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

Iraq: The country is in UN security phase V, with exception of Um Qasr town and harbour which is in phase IV. A security assessment mission to the Northern governorates took place on Sunday 13 April. The mission surveyed the cities of Dahuk and Erbil and then travelled to Sulimaniya on 14 April.

- The situation has improved in Basrah, although it is not yet considered safe. The situation in Baghdad is still insecure; a dusk to dawn curfew has been imposed. The killing of an interpreter traveling with NGO workers, the death of an ICRC delegate on 8th of April and the abduction of MSF staff as well as journalists (all released) on 13 April, underline the unstable security situation for humanitarian workers in Baghdad.

- To distinguish UN vehicles from those used by Iraqi paramilitary and other forces, UN vehicles, with the exception of those in the northern governorates, are to be re-painted royal blue with the agency’s emblems painted bright orange.

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

Iran: On 18th of April at 11:15 hours, 12 trucks carrying water (in jerry cans) for UNICEF crossed the border into Iraq at Shalamchah. UNJLC will develop a list of all drivers who are willing to cross the border and possess valid travel document to do so.

- MDM on 11 April crossed via Mehran crossing point to Badreh with medical supplies. MSF entered into Iraq through Mehran with one vehicle, carrying medical supplies on 14 April, and continued from Badreh to Al-Kut.

Jordan: A WFP convoy of 52 trucks - carrying more than 1,400 MT of wheat flour – crossed the border into Iraq at Trebil on 17th of April.

Syria: MSF Spain crossed the border at Al Yarubiyeh with three trucks carrying medical, logistics and WATSAN supplies, reaching Mosul on 18th of April. A convoy led by MDM Greece carrying medical supplies arrived safely at Baghdad via Al Tanf Border crossing on Monday 15 April. However, the convoy of Mercy Malaysia was attacked on Friday 11 April 2003 on the same road.

Turkey: Six trucks carrying UNICEF education, health, medical and WATSAN supplies destined to Erbil, Dahuk and Sulimaniya departed Mersin on 17th of April bound for Habur gate (on 19/04), Erbil and Dahuk(on 20/04) and Sulimaniya (on 21/04)

- Wheat flour dispatches from Turkey into Northern Iraq began on 3 April. As of 18 April, a total of 537 trucks have been dispatched into the three northern governorates of Dahuk, Erbil and Sulimaniya. Furthermore, as of 18 April, a total of 7 trucks carrying UNICEF supplies have crossed the border into Iraq from Habur/Silopi, Turkey.

3. AIR OPS

The Belgium Air Force is currently preparing one C-130 with UN markings for the use of UNHAS. The aircraft will be operational by the last week of April, and will carry out both strategic and regional flights.

Both the Beechcraft 1900 planes (18 Pax capacities) are based in Larnaca. Re-positioning and re-scheduling of the aircraft will take place upon re-entry of humanitarian workers into Iraq. A new schedule will be issued and posted on the UNJLC website.

The UNHAS IL 76 is booked for strategic flights up to the 26th of April.

The C-130 cargo aircraft, registration ZS-JIZ, is still on stand-by in Larnaca for the first flight to Erbil. Its contract will be extended for another week.

Iraq: Authorization from the Combined Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC) for the first flight to Erbil has been granted as of 18 April. The flight will take place on the 20th of April pending required over-flight clearances from Turkish MFA.

- Request for over-flight and landing clearances for the intended schedule of flights Amman - Baghdad (two flights per week) and Larnaca – Erbil (two flights a week) is in progress.

Iran: Kermanshah, Ahwaz and Uromiyeh airfields are open for UN aircraft, although landing permits are required by the CAA. Clearances can be obtained with the help of UNJLC and UNDP Tehran; 72 hours advance notice is required. A ground handling agreement between UNHAS and Iran Air is in place as of 14 April. Besides Ground Handling for aircraft, cargo, and passengers, Iran Air will also disburse payments for fuel and navigation/landing/parking charges where applicable, and consolidate invoices to WFP Country Office in Tehran. The agreement covers all airports in Iran. At least 24 hours advance notice to destination airports is required.

Israel: Airspace is open for UN passenger flights between Larnaca and Amman; minimum 24 hrs notification required

Jordan: The already obtained blanket clearance for Jordan is valid for all UN flights between Jordan and Iraq.

Kuwait: The IL 76 made two flights from Brindisi to Kuwait with total 85,685 kg of cargo for WHO, UNICEF and MFA. The AN 12 made two flights from Dubai with 22,000 kg of cargo for WFP.

Syria: Over-flight and landing clearances for Damascus have been issued for the UNHAS fleet of aircraft until the 5th of June (Ref DGCA 176B). Advance notification of 72 hours to the local handling agent is required for every flight. UNJCL has obtained tax exceptions for all humanitarian flights covering any landing, electricity, parking and hangar storage charges (according MoT decree 404). For ground handling, the official contact is Syrian Arab Airlines or one of their sub contractors.

- KLM has resumed flights to and from Damascus on 15 April, with three flights a week until the 28th of April after which will be increased to five flights. There are now 21 commercial airlines operating from and to Damascus.

Turkey: The situation of entry/exit points into Turkey has been changing on day-to-day basis during the past few weeks. At present, Dasis is the only exit/entry point for flights between Turkey and Iran.

- Van, Gaziantep, Erzurun, Antalia, Isparta and Nevesehir airports in Turkey are open to humanitarian aircrafts. However, Mardin remains closed.

4. BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS

Cross-border movements from the neighbouring countries – Turkey, Jordan, Iran and Syria - into Iraq have accelerated during the past week. The Turkish border has become the main route for delivery of goods into Northern Iraq. The cross-border corridors into Iraq through Jordan and Iran are likely to achieve greater importance than has been the case to date; small convoys have crossed the border during the last week. GoS is facilitating the cross-border movements from Syria to Iraq; the borders remain open for humanitarian traffic.

Further details of the border crossing points (status, coordinates, customs, etc) and customs procedures are available on the UNJLC website.

Jordan: UNJLC held a meeting with the Director of Customs Authority, Mr. Muhammed Qutelshat, on 14th of April to discuss bottlenecks in movement of humanitarian goods. For movements across the border, an Iraqi manifest is no longer required as there is no customs presence on the Iraqi side. Customs officials confirmed approval for a separate lane for WFP trucks to facilitate operations at Trebil crossing point.

- Humanitarian cargo is exempt of standard taxes such as 0.004% Passing Fees; 80 JD Diesel (Fuel); 20 JD Overtime Fees; 40 JDs Attaching Fees; 10 JD Stamp Fees.

- Documentations required for clearance at the checkpoints (Iraq) include: shipping documents, origins of supplies, destination (name of town/city) and receiving agency/organization; drivers must carry passport (or any other form of identification) and vehicle registration; basically same as required to cross the border. Contact UNJLC Amman for further details.

Kuwait: Border crossing procedures in Kuwait remain of concern and humanitarian cargo and UN staff are periodically facing delays.

Syria: For customs clearances/approvals, the UN agencies and IOM need to contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Local Government All INGOs must refer to Syrian Red Crescent (SARC) for all clearances, authorizations and notification.

Turkey: To cater for a possible influx of people into Turkey, prior to going into Northern Iraq, staff members are recommended to obtain a multiple entry visa. It takes 48 hours for the necessary clearances to be put in place to reach the border.

5. LOGISTICS (Stock/Warehousing)

Most UN Agencies and NGOs have agreed to use the UNJLC Logistics Assessments Forms for logistics estimations. The forms are available on the UNJLC website. The results will be submitted to UNJLC at assessments@unjlc.org and posted on the website.

Iraq: WFP transit warehouses have been completely looted in Mosul/Kirkuk. WFP Erbil has contacted national staff in Mosul and preparations are underway to prepare the warehouse for commodity receipts.

Jordan: The Customs Department agreed to change the status of the UN and IPs' warehouses into Bonded warehouses pending letter from UN.

6. TRANSPORT SECTOR

Iraq: The freight forwarder EGL has announced plans to launch scheduled commercial-cargo sailings into the port of Umm Qasr. The first vessel, with break-bulk and container cargo departed Dubai's Port Saeed for Kuwait and Iraq on April 26th, with an estimated time of arrival at Umm Qasr on May 2nd 2003.

7. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

Iraq: The rail from Umm Qasr to Baghdad is under assessment by the Coalition Engineers. The port of Umm Qasr is not yet officially open for commercial cargo and is waiting for an official declaration from the Coalition who are acting as interim port authorities.

8. FUEL

Fuel prices table

9. OTHER

Iraq: On 14th of April an inter-agency mission (including UNJLC) visited Badreh, via Mehran, to assess the situation of IDPs in the area. The mission report states that there is no IDP crisis at present. IDP families are in possession of sufficient food stocks and no complaints were made about non-availability of food items. There is no infrastructural crisis in Badreh at the moment. However, the national electricity grid needs to be restored to working order; the water treatment plant depends on the power network and has no generator. The provision of one generator plus fuel for the plant would be a helpful input.

Iran: INTERSOS will suspend its mission in Iran to join the INTERSOS mission in Amman and the INTERSOS team in Baghdad.

Mr. Matthew Dee joined UNJLC as Field Officer Kermanshah and Mr. Vincent de Bellefroid as Field Officer Ahwaz. Contact details for all UNJLC offices are available on the UNJLC website.