UNJLC LIBERIA
Bulletin18
9 December – 16 December 03

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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

All UN staff in Liberia must adhere to the 2100 hours to 0600 hours curfew in effect from Tuesday, 16 December 2003 until further notice. 

The Disarmament Demobilisation, Relocation and Reintegration (DDRR) Programme is suspended until 20 January 2004.

A tentative and revised WFP Air Service passenger schedule from 15 to 20 December is provided below. 

The Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalisation has written officially to the Humanitarian Co-ordinator to confirm the re-activation of the United Nations’ privileges and immunities.

2. SECURITY

A curfew is in place for all UN Staff members (both national and international). This curfew shall be enforced and strictly monitored by UNMIL and the UN Security officers from 2100 hours every evening till 0600 hours in the morning. The curfew is in effect from Tuesday, 16 December until further notice. The curfew does not apply to local inhabitants. 

It is safe to travel by road to Roberts International Airport (RIA). However, vehicles from UN agencies and NGOs going to RIA must be MOSS Compliant (i.e. travel in convoys comprised of at least two vehicles, inform the relevant radio rooms and routinely ‘call in’ via radio before departure and upon arrival). 

The areas in and around Camp Schiefflin and the ELWA Junction, the scene of much of last’s week’s instability and unrest following the commencement of the DDRR Programme on 7 December are now calmer. Both Camp Schiefflin and the ELWA Junction are en route to the road to Roberts International Airport (RIA). 

The situation in Monrovia has improved since last week. 

The DDRR Programme will be postponed from 16 December until 20 January 2004. Camp Schiefflin, the first disarmament camp, had been flooded by more than 8,000 former combatants willing to surrender their weapons. The site was only intended to process 1,000 persons. The former fighters participating in this disarmament process indulged in shooting and rioting when informed that they would only be paid after the initial three weeks of the DDRR Programme had elapsed.  The unrest spread to the area surrounding the camp, the road leading to RIA as well as Monrovia. About 12 people have reportedly been killed, both combatants and civilians. UNMIL offered an initial payment of USD $ 75 out of the total USD $ 150 stipend to ease tension. 

To date, the number of weapons collected is 7754. The number of combatants registered is 9860. A total of 6,200 combatants have been paid the initial USD $ 75.

Camp Schiefflin was intended to accept fighters loyal to former president Charles Taylor. Camps for MODEL and LURD combatants are yet to be opened. It is expected that they will be opened next year with the re-commencement of the DDRR Programme. 

The DDRR Programme is being coordinated and overseen by UNMIL, which has deployed a third of its planned troops. 

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

3. AIR OPERATIONS

The Antonov 24 that served WFP Air Service left Abidjan for Sofia on 12 December. Currently, a LET 410 is transporting passengers in and out of Liberia. Capacity for carrying passengers has consequently been decreased.  Another aircraft is expected during December. 

The WFP Air Service Passenger Service Passenger schedule has been revised from 15 to 20 December and is as follows:

A new schedule for the region is currently being devised and will soon be made available.

Those travelling from RIA to outside Liberia can proceed to RIA via road. However, as per measures advised by UNSECOORD, travel to RIA must be authorised and MOSS Compliant.  Staff from UN agencies or NGOs must inform the Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC), keep contact with their agency or common UN radio centre and precede with at least two vehicles travelling together in a convoy. 

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has carried out rehabilitation of the airfields at Voinjama (in Lofa Country) and Zwedru (in Grand Gedeh County).  Currently, an ICRC Beechcraft flies from Freetown to Monrovia twice a week and further proceeds to Voinjama and Zwedru.  ICRC is maintaining offices with international staff presence in these two cities.  These flights only accommodate ICRC staff.

Transport of passengers from Spriggs Payne Airport to RIA by UNMIL MI8 helicopters is on-going daily at 1000, 1200 & 1400. At least 24hrs prior notice and booking is required through MOVCON:

 Mr. Kalyan Majumdar, Tel: + 377 47 532 204
 Ms. Hala Rayya, Tel: + 377 47 530 612

Fencing of the Spriggs Payne airfield is now complete. The perimeter of the runway is now enclosed with a barbed wire fence. This measure was taken to prevent the obstruction of the airstrip by local pedestrians.  Re-surfacing of runway is underway. 

The contact points at Spriggs Payne Airport are:

 Ms. Kona Freeman, Comptroller, Tel: + 377 47 515126
 Mr. Harrison Sackie, UNMIL Air Operations, Tel: 377 47 519764

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

4. SEA PORT OPERATIONS

The conflict situation in the country over the past years has adversely affected the port facilities at the Freeport Monrovia; important machinery has been lost, vital marine crafts sunk, offices vandalized, and wharves and piers damaged.

The Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) appointed a Committee on November 17, 2003 to undertake a “Needs assessment” of Liberia’s ports so as to enable the NPA management to devise strategies to revitalise the port industry.

The members of the committee are:

 The DMD / Administration – Chairman                
 The DMD / Operations – Co-Chairman
 The Port Manager - Member
 The Technical Manager – Member
 The Planning Manager – Member
 The Technical Coordinator – Member
 The Chief Accountant - Member 

Below are the issues discussed in the needs assessment:

 Port Infrastructure: 
     - Basin and waterways
     - Underwater and engineering studies for the structural integrity of existing piers and wharves.
 Office buildings and office equipment/supplies
 Equipment and plants
 Garbage disposal equipment
 Construction equipments
 Utilities
 The Rural Ports: 
     - Greenville Port
     - Harper Port 
     - Buchanan Port
 Expansion of Freeport of Monrovia

The National Port Authority has undertaken these assessments for presentation to UNMIL and the UN agencies.

The procedures to acquire an Access Pass to Freeport Monrovia are as follows:

 A letter of application to the Managing Director, including the names of the applicants and their passport-size photos, must be submitted.
 The Letter will be then approved by the Managing Director, and sent to the cashier booth for payment.
 The price for each Access Card is $3.00 each for commercial entities. It is free of charge for NGOs and UN agencies.
 After payment, the form will be taken to the NPA Personnel Department for final processing. UNMIL issues the final approval after which the cards are returned to Personnel for issuing to the applicants.

Contacts for the Ghanian 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

Following discussions with UNJLC, the Commissioner of Immigration has written officially to the Humanitarian Co-ordinator to confirm the re-activation of the United Nations’ privileges and immunities.  United Nations staff travelling on National Passports is now exempt from payment of all charges related to immigration. Additionally, official forms no longer need to be purchased and completed by United Nations staff; rather details are transmitted to the Bureau of Immigration via a Note Verbale. Those travelling on a United Nations Laissez Passer continue to enjoy exemption from all immigration procedures apart from the presentation of their Laisser Passer upon entry to and departure from Liberia.

The first draft of the UNJLC Customs and Immigration Guide is available on the website. A second draft will be posted shortly.

6. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

The UNJLC road assessment project continues. Full results have been received for Monrovia to Gbanga, Gbarnga to Yekepa, Gbarnga to Loguato, Gbarnga to Foya, Monrovia to Bo, and Sinje to Robertsport.  Assessments are about to start for the remainder of lower Lofa Country, as well as Gbarnga to Buchanan. Additionally, two assessments continue to cover the major routes in the South East of Liberia. A database of assessment information and photos along with maps of GPS data collected are expected to be available from the first half of January 2004.

UNJLC will participate in a join assessment with WFP and UNMIL of Voinjama, Foya and Robertsport airfields on 20 December. The resulting reports, along with those already completed will be made available through the UNJLC office, the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org) and the HOC. 

There is currently free space in the warehousing provided to UNMIL in the Freeport of Monrovia by the Government of Liberia.

7. LOGISTICS CO-ORDINATION

The fifth meeting of the Joint Logistics Working Group was held on 10 December 2003 at 10:00 a.m. in the WFP Conference room. Mr. Iain Kinnear, UNJLC fuel consultant, concluded his strategic fuel mission in Liberia. He provided a summary of his report. This report will shortly be available from the UNJLC office and UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).  An increase in the information flowing into the HOC was highlighted. A centralisation of information for easy access is being established in the HOC.  Flyers containing contact numbers for emergency(s) were issued.  Mr. Steve Eames was introduced to the participants as the Logistics Coordination and Movement Control (LOCOMOC) officer in the Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC). UNJLC is expecting a customs consultant in January 2004, who shall assess the procedures of the customs service in Liberia and submit his recommendations to the Government.

The LOCOMOC Cell in the HOC conducted some rapid response co-ordination tasks by organising and coordinating vehicle convoys travelling to Roberts International Airport (RIA). Given MOSS Compliance conditions for travel to RIA, HOC is coordinating vehicle link ups for the UN and NGO community.  

The LOCOMOC cell prepared for a possible MEDEVAC of an NGO staff member. It is also in the process of compiling information to disseminate for a general MEDEVAC plan. 

Mr. Momo Larmena has joined the HOC as the NGO liaison officer. He will commence his outreach and liaison with the Liberian NGOs at the LINK (Liberian NGOs Network) inauguration this week.

The points of contact at the HOC are as follows:

 General
  Stephen Hiscock, Tel: + 377 47 530 434, E-mail: stephen.hiscock@wfp.org

 Logistics Coordination & Movement Control
  Steven Eames, Tel: + 377 47 530 468, E-mail: steven.eames@wfp.org 

 Civil-Military Coordination 
  Stephen Hiscock, Tel: + 377 47 530 434, E-mail: stephen.hiscock@wfp.org  
  Major Noel Duffy,   Tel: + 377 47 532 516, E-mail: Monrovia.guest8@wfp.org

 Liberian NGO Liaison
  Momo Larmena, Tel: + 377 47 530365

 Security
   Arve Skog, Tel: + 377 47 529 616, E-mail: arve.skog@undp.org

 Humanitarian Information
   Varney Kawah, Tel: + 377 47 521 726, E-mail: varney.kawah@undp.org

The HOC is located on the ground floor of the WFP building. The opening hours are: Mon-Fri: 08:30 – 18:00. Sat: 10:00 – 15:00.

8. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION

The total strength of the UNMIL Force Headquarters is now 102 (out of 165), including a dedicated "Civil Military Cooperation" (CIMIC) section. Next to the 1st Brigade, 87 Military Observers are now deployed in the country. The Force Brigade's total strength is 5,912. There are 38 CIVPOL officers.

CIVPOL is currently training persons from the local Liberian Police. This training entails co-location of CIVPOL personnel at various local Police Stations as well as patrolling of Monrovia during the day. The target is to train about 400 members of the Police force by April 2004. 

UNJLC has been requested by UNMIL CAO to make a policy proposal for the use of UNMIL assets by the UN agencies and guidelines on cost recovery by UNMIL. 

An inter-agency mission assisted by UNMIL will go to Greenville on board the Dutch Navy's ship Rotterdam on Wednesday 17th December 2003 returning late Friday or early Saturday morning. The purpose of the mission is to carry out an assessment and delivery of humanitarian assistance.

A schedule of planned UNMIL missions is available in the HOC.

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 – Major Duffy: + 377 47 532 516                                                                
 UN Civil-Military Co-ordination – Stephen Hiscock: + 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

The exchange rate to the USD $ remains stable at LD $ 45.

10. LIBERIA UNJLC INTERNATIONAL STAFF

 Peter Schaller: peter.schaller@wfp.org Mobile: + 377 47 534 090
 Matthew Dee: matthew.dee@wfp.org, m_dee99@yahoo.com Mobile: +377 47 530 187
 Oleksandr Grebenyuk: oleksandr.grebenyuk@wfp.org Mobile: +377 47 532 378
 Steven Eames Steven.Eames@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.
UNJLC Fax: + 871 763 467 061
UNJLC Tel:  + 871 763 467 060

11. OTHER

The following are contact points in case of emergency: 

 UNMIL
CIMIC: + 377 47 532 516
HQ Duty Officer: + 377 47 532 313

 POLICING
Incidents involving UN and International NGO staff: + 377 47 530 173
(UNMIL Duty Security Officer)
Incidents involving Liberian nationals: + 377 47 532 569
(CIVPOL who will pass to Liberian National Police)

 EMERGENCY MEDICAL
Emergency Ambulance Service: + 377 47 536968, + 377 47 536969
(Managed by Merlin and Mercy)

Radio stations in Liberia that can be tuned into for regular news briefings are the following: