UNJLC LIBERIA
Bulletin 13
4 November to 11 November 2003

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

Contact details for all UNJLC offices are available on the UNJLC website.

CONTENTS

• 1. HIGHLIGHTS
• 2. SECURITY
• 3. AIR OPERATIONS
• 4. SEA PORT OPERATIONS
• 5. BORDER CROSSINGS, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION
• 6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
• 7. LOGISTICS CO-ORDINATION
• 8. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION
• 9. FUEL (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene) / COMMODITY PRICES
• 10. LIBERIA UNJLC INTERNATIONAL STAFF
• 11. OTHER
  

1. HIGHLIGHTS

WFP flew a passenger flight into Spriggs Payne Airport on 7 November. It is expected that humanitarian air operations will eventually be focused at Spriggs Payne after certain safety requirements are fulfilled. 

Preparations are ongoing for the UNJLC coordinated comprehensive road assessments of Liberia. Training and instruction in the use of equipment for the field assessors is underway.

Details and contacts for the MEDEVAC/CASEVAC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) are given below.

2. SECURITY

Clashes between rebel groups and government troops have occurred in Nimba County in Central Liberia over the past few weeks. This has forced some 6,000 people to flee to Saclepea, 230 kms northeast of Monrovia.

One Swiss national working for a logging company was shot and killed in his residence in the Sinkor Area of Monrovia on 3 November. Two suspects have been arrested.

UNMIL continues to seize weapons in the Free Zone Monrovia. Recently, large quantities of AK-47s and RPGs were found near the Executive Mansion.

Monrovia remains in UN Security Phase IV, while the rest of Liberia continues to be designated as Phase V.

3. AIR OPERATIONS

On 7 November 2003, WFP Air Service AN 24 passenger flight flew into Spriggs Payne airport in Monrovia. 

It is expected that WFP's air operations will eventually be shifted from Roberts International Airport to Spriggs Payne Airfield.  The latter was used for humanitarian air operations prior to the war and is located in downtown Monrovia.  To ensure that Spriggs Payne meets safety requirements for future operations, WFP is working in conjunction with UNMIL and the Civil Aviation Authority to improve the airfield's fencing, provide fire safety equipment, and re-surface the runway. Currently, a small UNMIL contingent of Nigerian troops, including an air force liaison officer is deployed at the airport. 

UNJLC and WFP initiated discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority on behalf of the humanitarian community with regard to resumption of regular air operations at Spriggs Payne Airport.  WFP has obtained a waiver for landing charges and a 50% reduction in handling fees.  It is expected, however, that the handling fees will be even further reduced in acknowledgement of WFP's efforts to refurbish the airport.   

The Executive Director of WFP, Mr. James Morris, will be arriving in Monrovia on 15 November. The flight will be landing in Spriggs Payne Airport.

The transport from Monrovia to Freetown of 250 Sierra Leonean refugees for UNHCR commenced on 29 October. About 20 refugees have been flown to Sierra Leone since last week. 

WFP transported a total of 6.5 MT of plastic sheeting for UNHCR from Monrovia to Freetown. WFP also transported about 600 Kg of Kerosene lanterns from Freetown to Monrovia for UNHCR.  

An updated Passenger Request Form is available on the UNJLC website. 

Initial information is being collected for use in the compilation of a comprehensive planning map of Roberts International Airport (RIA). This will take a form similar to that of the UNJLC Freeport of Monrovia planning map, downloadable from the UNJLC website.

The airport authority at RIA is currently headed by an interim administration. This shall remain in place pending the nomination of a management team.  Mr. Hamed Wilson is acting as the Managing Director of the Airport. He can be contacted at: +377-47-512012.

Contacts: WFP West Africa Air Service contacts are as follows:

4. SEA PORT OPERATIONS

UNJLC in conjunction with the National Port Authority is working on an organisational chart to reflect the new changes within the administration and will include information on the major ports in Liberia. 

An updated list of the operational equipment available at Monrovia Freeport is as follows: 3 tractors, 2 top lifts, 1 side lift, 3 forklifts, 6 trailers, and 1 crane. 

A summary of ships carrying UN cargo at Freeport Monrovia for the month of October is as follows:

The new Managing Director for Monrovia Freeport has been appointed. Mr. Clayee Z. Doe can be contacted at Tel: +377 47 534428. The Deputy Director for Operations is Mr. Harrison Luo Harrison.

Contacts for the Ghanaian Security contingent (UNMIL) at the Freeport are as follows:

 Commanding Officer - Lt Col James Adoinama: +377 47 530 657
 Operations Officer - Major Louman Gbetanu: +377 47 530 654
 Military Intelligence Officer - Capt Errigton Commil: +377 47 530 649

5. BORDER CROSSINGS, CUSTOMS AND IMMIGRATION

The Commissioner of Immigration, Abraham B. Mitchell, is expected to provide his approval in finalising the draft Customs and Immigration Guide compiled and completed with the cooperation of his predecessor.

Cooperation between UNJLC and the office of the Commissioner of Customs, Ms. Fatu Gaddens White, continues in reviewing the Customs and Immigration Guide and streamlining procedures in the emergency period for Liberia.  

The first draft of the UNJLC Customs and Immigration Guide is available on the website. 

UN vehicles are permitted to enter Sierra Leone from Liberia. NGOs can submit their applications to the Sierra Leone National Security Office (NSO) in Freetown or through the embassy in Monrovia.

6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

The UNJLC/GTZ transport survey is now available from the UNJLC office.  The survey is also accessible on the website.

7. LOGISTICS CO-ORDINATION

The thirteenth weekly Joint Logistics Meeting was held at 11.00 hours in the HOC, ground floor of the WFP building.  The participants were informed about the Operations Centre that is being established by OCHA and UNJLC. UNJLC is facilitating an assessment of the buses in the country. This survey was requested by IOM. A WFP flight landed in Spriggs Payne Airfield; however, the airport must be equipped with safety equipment before regular air traffic can resume. Issues of registration costs for radio equipment and vehicles belonging to humanitarian organisations were discussed. UNJLC will follow up in providing this information. Regarding road access from the neighbouring countries, UN vehicles are permitted by Sierra Leonean authorities to enter Liberia. Efforts shall be made for similar access for NGO vehicles. UNJLC was requested to assist in avoiding unnecessary overhead costs to IOs and NGOs for the safety assessments being conducted by the Fire Service Agency. 

Preparations continue for the UNJLC coordinated comprehensive roads assessment for Liberia. Preliminary training in the use of GPS and other equipment is being conducted by HIC for the field assessors. This training includes practical instruction of the assessment apparatus.  The aim of these road assessments is, firstly, to gain more accurate GIS mapping of Liberia's road networks. Data collected in the first phase of the project will provide clear information on the extent and overall costs of the road rehabilitation that will be required. 

The Concept Paper for the Operations Centre is currently being reviewed by the Humanitarian Coordinator. Feedback concerning the approval of the Centre is expected by the end of this week. Each functional body within the Centre has been asked to submit its Terms of Reference. Representatives from UNJLC, FITTEST, Air Operations, HIC, UNSECOORD, Civil Military Coordination, UNMIL and a focal point for NGO liaison will be functioning at the Operations Centre. UNJLC has submitted its role of Movement Control Centre (LOCOMOCC) within the Ops Centre to OCHA for approval. UNJLC is currently working on the set-up of the Centre which will be situated in the conference room of the ground floor WFP, close to UNJLC's location.

8. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION

The total strength of the UNMIL Force Headquarters is now 75. First Brigade comprises of 4660 troops (all ranks), while 36 military observers are now present in Liberia.

In anticipation of the UNMIL deployment to Gbarnga, the Director of the Phebe Hospital offered quarters for the military force in the hospital compound. This proposal was not accepted by UNMIL, although the decision to set up a military clinic in this compound has not been taken yet. 

The assistance of UNMIL is requested to provide 2 trucks per day (13-17 November) for the relocation of 600 IDPs from Firestone to Unification camp. 

A ship chartered by UNMIL shall be arriving on 15 November. It will be transporting cargo along the West African coast, including Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Humanitarian cargo may be transported via this vessel. The ship shall also provide medical evacuation facilities. Within Liberia, the ship will travel between the ports of Monrovia, Buchanan, and Harper. 

UNMIL wil provide a military escort for the distribution of food in Lowe on 13-14 November.

UNMIL Emergency Response HOTLINES:

 Duty Officer HQ Sector 1: +377 47 530 173
 Duty Officer HQ UNMIL :   +377 47 532 313

 UNMIL Force Commander - Lieutenant General Opande, Kenya.
 Sector 1 Commander - Brigadier General Festus Okonkwo, Nigeria.
 Civil-Military Co-operations Officer - Capt Lapage: +377 47 532 516
                                                     Col Whobrey
 UN Civil-Military Co-ordination - Willy Peerens: +377 47 530 434
 WFP Civil-Military Liaison - Albert Fiawosime: +377 47 530 209
 UNHCR Civil-Military Liaison - Harry Leefe: +377 47 530 180
 UNJLC Civil-Military Liaison - Oleksandr Grebenyuk: +377 47 532 378

9. FUEL (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene) / COMMODITY PRICES

Last week, the Chairman of the National Transitional Government of Liberia, Charles Gyude Bryant, announced reduction in the prices of essential consumer commodities, such as rice, fuel and petroleum products.  

The retail price of rice will not exceed the following:

1. parboiled pussawa (USA long grain rice) rice: US$ 19 down from US$21 per bag.
2. butter rice:  US$ 18 down from US$20 per bag. 
3. white rice:   US$ 17 down from US$20 per bag.

The exchange rate to the US $ remained at L $ 43.00 from 4 November to 11 November.

10. LIBERIA UNJLC INTERNATIONAL STAFF

 David Pittfield: david.pittfield@wfp.org pittfield@hotmail.com Mobile: +377 47 530 093
 Peter Schaller: Monrovia.guest19@wfp.org Mobile: + 377 47 534 090
 Matthew Dee: matthew.dee@wfp.org m_dee99@yahoo.com Mobile: +377 47 530 187
 Carole Harris: carole.harris@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 530 092
 Victor Cole: victor.cole@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 531 423
 Oleksandr Grebenyuk: oleksandr.grebenyuk@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 532 378 
 Mervat Shelbaya: mervat.shelbaya@wfp.org Mobile: + 377 47 534 468
 Farzana Rasheed: farzana.rasheed@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 531458

UNJLC Offices are located on the ground floor of the WFP building, UN Drive, Mamba Point, Monrovia.

11. OTHER

The MEDEVAC/CASEVAC Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) ensure the systematic and timely evacuation of personnel requiring medical attention, in accordance with the objectives of the medical SOP for the peacekeeping operation in Liberia. UNMIL has three medical facilities: Level-1, UN Dispensary (Non-surgical treatment); Level-2, Bangladesh Hospital, Monrovia; and, Level-3, Jordanian Hospital in Freetown, Sierra Leone. MEDEVAC can be requested by a doctor or by a medical facility through MOVCON for available space on regularly scheduled flights (passenger priority 1), or as a request for a special flight if the condition of the patient requires unique medical care during the transportation, or if the destination of the patient is not served by normally scheduled flights.  CASEVAC is provision for immediate emergency and can be requested by anyone in the mission. The Swiss government has made available aircraft for transporting CASEVAC patients. 

The Medical Director may be contacted at telephone number +1 (212) 963-7082 and by fax at +1 (212) 963-4925 during office hours.  After working hours, on weekends and holidays, the Medical Director can be contacted through the United Nations Security Service at telephone number +1 (212) 963-6666. The contacts for the UNMIL Medical Office are: Dr. Blazenka Krizan at + 377 47 532 202  and Ms. Hano Ngongueu (Nurse) at + 377 47 532 265.

The UN Approved Examining Physicians are available at the following locations:

 Dr. Lily Sanvee
St. Joseph Catholic Hospital
P.O. Box 512, Monrovia
SURGEON

 Dr. Arpad Foldesi
J.F.K. Medical Centre     
Tubman Blvd. 
Sinkor, Monrovia
GYNECOLOGIST

 Dr. Mohammed Sankoh
Red Cross Clinic, + 377 47 514-653
Lynch Street, Monrovia
PEDIATRICIAN

 Dr. J.O. Benson
  Charity Hospital
  Paynesville, Monrovia
  GYNECOLOGIST

 Dr. Tudae Torboh
  Torboh Eye Clinic, + 377 47 392116 
  Michelin Street            
  P. O. Box 2588, Monrovia

 Dr. Walter Brumskine
  Brumskine Clinic, + 377 47 519693
  35 Tubman Blvd.    
  P.O. Box 2864
  Monrovia
  UROLOGIST

UNMIL's Procurement Section wishes to invite quotations from companies and contractors for contracts for washing vehicles. The contact is: Ms. Marilou B. Sotelo, Tel: +377 532 538, stelo@un.org.

The transitional government headed by Chairman Gyude Bryant continues to be established. Since 14 October, the process of nominations and appointments for government posts has been taking place. Last week៑ԠBulletin provided names of the senior officials from the key ministries.  Further appointments are outlined below in an updated contact list. Telephone numbers have been provided as were available at the time: