UNJLC LIBERIA BULLETIN 24
21 - 27 January 2004

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The aim of the UNJLC bulletins is 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.

CONTENTS

• 1. Highlights
• 2. Security
• 3. Air Operations
• 4. Sea Port Operations
• 5. Customs and Immigration
• 6. Transport Infrastructure
• 7. Logistics Co-ordination
• 8. Civil-Military Co-ordination
• 9. Fuel (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene) / Commodity Prices
• 10. Other
• 11. Liberia International Staff

1. Highlights

UNJLC coordinated a logistics assessment mission to Gbarnga on 22 January. The aim was to obtain information on the available infrastructure for future use by the Humanitarian Community.

The study on the fuel market and infrastructure in Liberia commissioned by UNJLC and completed on 10 December 2003 is available on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).

WFP Air Service has issued a new passenger schedule for February. 

WFP distributed approximately 180 MT to 22,000 people in Saclapea over a three-day mission.

2. Security

The internal feud between the chairman of LURD faction, Sekou Conneh, and his wife, Aicha Conneh, continues. Three weeks ago, 40 LURD commanders called for the replacement of Sekou Conneh by his estranged wife. According to local reports, the head of the Liberian transitional government, Gyude Bryant, has made efforts to intervene to ensure LURDâ??s participation in the Disarmament, Demobilisation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) Programme which will re-commence in March. 

In a joint press statement on 26 January, leaders of LURD and MODEL called for the resignation of Gyude Brant, head of Liberiaâ??s transitional government. This political challenge to the leadership of the transitional government is being monitored by UNMIL. 

The DDRR sensitisation and information campaign has conducted programmes in Tubmanburg and Buchanan. 

The ceiling on the number of UN staff travelling on mission in Phase V areas where UNMIL has not yet deployed is eight.  

The curfew timings for UN staff (national and international) are 2400 hours to 0500 hours. The curfew does not apply to local inhabitants. 

Monrovia, Tubmanburg, Buchanan and Gbarnga are at UN Security Phase IV, while the rest of Liberia continues to be designated as Phase V.

3. Air Operations

WFP Air Service has shifted operations from Roberts International Airport (RIA) to Spriggs Payne Airport. WFP Air Service currently operates between Abidjan, Conakry, Monrovia, and Freetown.  A LET 410 passenger aircraft that can accommodate 13 passengers with a light parcel cargo capacity is currently employed to link Liberia to the surrounding countries.

A revised schedule for February 2004 has been issued. Flights from Monrovia to Abidjan, Freetown, and Conakry take place on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The new WFP Air Service passenger schedule is available from the UNJLC website.

As part of UNMIL Air Operations' effort to rehabilitate the infrastructure of the air service industry in Liberia, an Air Operations Section and a Movement Control Centre (MOVCON) have been established at Spriggs Payne Airport. The function of the Air Operations Centre is handling and tasking of aircraft, ensuring compliance and quality assurance, planning and scheduling, flight following  and air traffic control. The Movement Control Centre (MOVCON) is responsible for passenger and cargo handling.

UNMIL Air Operations will oversee the rehabilitation and upgrading of all domestic airports in Liberia. Beginning with those at Voinjama, Harper, Greenville, Gbarnga and Spriggs-Payne in Monrovia, the rehabilitation projects shall cover a total of twenty-three airports around the country. UNMIL Air Operations are currently operating at three main hubs at Monrovia, Gbarnga and Greenville pending the full deployment of peacekeeping troops. Civilian administrators are to be assigned at each airport around Liberia by UNMIL. These administrators are to manage these airports and assist in the capacity building of the local structures.  Additionally, MOVCON is expected to set up facilities at the terminal such as, ticketing counter and baggage cart at Spriggs Payne which shall improve the quality of passenger services at the airport. 

A DASH-7 is expected in the country for use by UNMIL Air Operations for the conveyance of passengers and cargo to and from Spriggs-Payne airport. UNMIL is currently operating one fixed-wing airplane, a Beechcraft King Air 200, along with six MI8 helicopters.

A comprehensive planning map of Spriggs Payne Airport is available on the UNJLC website

UNMIL Air Operations contacts:
 Mr. Carl Markussen: OIC UNMIL Aviation, Tel: + 377 47 532 603, E-mail: markussen@un.org
 Mr. Chris Njenga: OIC UNMIL Technical Compliance, Tel: +377 47 538246, E-mail: njengac@un.org
 Mr. Thomas Vandy: UNMIL Spriggs Payne Airfield Manager, Tel: +377 47 542883
 Mr. Tomislav Ristov: UNMIL Chief, Air Operations Centre, Tel: + 377 47 532504, E-mail: ristov@un.org
 Ms. Griffith, MOVCON, Tel: + 377 47 530 602, E-mail: griffithsk@un.org

WFP West Africa Air Service contacts are as follows:
 

4. Sea Port Operations

UNMIL, WFP, and UNJLC coordinated efforts to harmonise and reduce handling charges for the Humanitarian Community by meeting with the National Port Authority (NPA) on 14 January. A final decision by the NPA is awaited. 

UNMIL, in collaboration with UNJLC and WFP, has initiated quick-impact repair projects to assist in the short-term rehabilitation of the Freeport. Technicians from UNMIL will survey machinery and equipment that can be readily repaired. WFP has provided spare parts and equipment, including 2 forklifts and 1 top lifter.

Removal of the sunken ships obstructing two piers at the Freeport is being investigated. 

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

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

5. Customs and Immigration

The UNJLC Customs and Immigration Consultant continued with gathering information on the current structure and operations of the Liberian frontier controls from a wide range of officials and members of the business community. Visits were made to the operational posts of both services at Monrovia Free Port, Roberts Airport and Spriggs Airport where the practical aspects of the clearance processes were observed. Organisations linked to the Customs and Immigration primary functions were also visited including the Ministry of Planning, for statistical issues, and Bivac International in relation to Pre-Shipment Inspection activities. In addition to participants in the frontier, process visits have also been made to institutions, including the US Embassy and the UNDP, who may be interested in participating in contributing to capacity building in either Customs or Immigration.

Emerging findings from the review indicate major capacity building is required to overcome the problems which have developed for both services over the last 14 years during which they have seen little investment, virtually no training, minimal or non existent salaries and the looting of much of their equipment and records. The long-term development of these services is vital for the encouragement and facilitation of trade in Liberia. To be sustainable, changes must include enhanced salaries and conditions of service; de-politisation of operational staff; reviews of laws and procedures in line with international standards; transparency in all processes; and, implementation of the rule of law. Fortunately the present systems, whilst bureaucratic and antiquated, are functioning within Monrovia, although primarily as the result of informal payments. This offers an opportunity to undertake capacity building and ensure a smooth switch over to the new systems in the medium term without interfering with the flow of trade in the interim.

The third and last week of the Consultantâ??s mission will include drafting of the Final Report, combined with further visits to the senior management within the government and those within Liberia who can help take forward the necessary capacity building programmes.

NGOs facing problems with the customs and immigration authorities will have increased chances of success in clarifying fees and charges if they can collectively approach the government. This issue was raised at the Joint Logistics Working Group on 21 January.  Alternatively, the individuals can approach UNJLC for assistance and coordination.

6. Transport Infrastructure

UNJLC coordinated a joint logistics assessment mission to Gbarnga on 22 January. WFP, FITTEST and UNICEF participated.  

Prior to the war, many UN agencies and NGOs were located at the Phebe Hospital in Gbarnga. The hospital was built by the Lutheran Church of Liberia (LCL). LCL would like the Humanitarian Community to re-occupy the offices. Medical equipment, generators, water pumps, water sanitation equipment, and roofing sheets in almost all the buildings have been looted. A total of 78 buildings are situated on the 300 acre compound. 

Findings on the main buildings for office and warehouse use are summarised as follows:

There are 5 manual water pumps. The water tower at the compound is not functional.  The Hospital is expecting new generators from USAID. Fuel tankers are available. 

Agencies interested in occupying buildings should contact Phebe Hospital: 
  Mr. Emmanuel M. Sandoe, Medical Director (WACS)
   Tel: + 377 47 538 676, + 377 47 554 469
   E-mail: phebe@phebehospital.uuplus.com, emsandoe@phebehospital.uuplus.com  
 Mr. William Martin, Administrator, Tel: + 377 47 534 453

Occupation of buildings at the Phebe Hospital will be rent-free. Agencies will only pay for water and electricity. 

There is no communication infrastructure in Gbarnga. Lonestar, the only GSM provider operating in Liberia, is planning to cover the city in the coming months. For installation of a radio network, the following were considered: 

VHF: Given the distance between Monrovia and Gbarnga, an independent network needs to be established. FITTEST is investigating the possibility of installing an inter-agency repeater at the UNMIL sector headquarters.  

HF: Communication via HF will be possible.  

Compliance with UN security and MOSS standards requires installation of a repeater and a 24-hours functional radio room. An alternative arrangement can be the installation of a radio at the UNMIL premises.  

UNMIL will establish sector headquarters in Tubmanburg. Telephone, fax and hi-speed data facilities will be available in the offices. Negotiations for the use of these resources by the humanitarian community are in process. 

Currently, UNMIL is positioned at the CARRI and Methodist Compounds.

7. Logistics Co-ordination

The third regular meeting of the Joint Logistics Working Group of 2004 was held on Wednesday, 21 January, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. in the WFP conference room. Items on the agenda were a briefing by the customs consultant; the latest update on UNMILâ??s fuel contract; re-negotiation of port charges and UN assistance in rehabilitation of the port infrastructure; UNMIL deployment; and, joint logistic assessment missions. 

Mr. Jeff Whitworth provided an update of UNMIL deployment to the Joint Logistics Working Group
meeting on 21 January. Industrial water purification plants are not yet operational. One plant is being set up in Gbarnga and another one will soon be established in Tubmanburg. UNMIL is also planning to establish a forward logistics base in three locations: Gbarnga, Tubmanburg, and either Tapeta or Buchanan, depending on road conditions and accessibility.

Coordination is required among the humanitarian agencies and UNMIL to avoid problems in identifying premises for office, warehousing, and accommodation.  UNMIL peacekeepers and personnel are in the process of deploying to areas up country. UN agencies are also planning their deployment. WFP conducted recce missions to re-new contracts for premises occupied prior to the war. To ensure de-confliction among all actors, humanitarian agencies are requested to provide the locations of sites already selected to UNJLC. 

A critical area of cooperation and sharing of assets among UNMIL and the Humanitarian Community is communication. Agencies may link in with UNMIL VSAT communication systems at each sector head quarter. Interested agencies are requested to provide requirements to:

Martin Kristensson
Tel: + 377 47 531 458
E-mail: martin.kristensson@wfp.org

WFP, FITTEST, UNICEF and UNJLC conducted a logistics hub assessment mission to Gbarnga on Thursday, 22 January. The aim was to obtain information on the available infrastructure for future use by the humanitarian community and coordination in the use of the assets. The full report of the mission is available from the UNJLC office.

Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC):

Since its launch on 19 November 2003, the HOC has been active in both Civil Military Coordination and Logistics support to the UN Agencies and NGOs. UNJLC is represented in the HOC through the Logistics Coordination and Movement Control Centre (LOCOMOCC).

Travel from Monrovia to Roberts International Airport (RIA), approximately 35 miles east of Monrovia, became restricted when the DDRR was launched on 7 December 2003. Former fighters participating in the Programme began rioting and demanding cash for the returned weapons. The first UN centre accepting weapons, Camp Schiefflin, was situated on the main highway about halfway between Monrovia's Elwa Junction and RIA. This centre became the scene of shooting and unrest.  The rebels were stopping and hijacking vehicles travelling on the road to RIA. 

During this chaotic period, the HOC arranged for Movement of Personnel (MOPs) for the use of UNMIL helicopters from Spriggs Payne Airport to RIA. A vehicle shuttle service was also facilitated allowing personnel of UN agencies and NGOs to travel in groups using two or more vehicles en route to RIA.

Regular activities at the HOC include organising air, sea, and road missions and assessments to the interior of Liberia. Military escorts have also been arranged when needed.

Through its NGO Liaison Officer, the HOC was able to seek sponsorship for 4 Liberian NGOs to attend the Security Management Workshop being organized by a UK based Organisation, Red-R Engineers for Disasters Relief.  Presently, the HOC is working with the Humanitarian Information Centre (HIC) to updating data on

Who is doing What and Where in the Humanitarian Community.

The HOC operates by creating a common facility that can focus on customer service and, by creating the opportunity to work together on common issues, pool the experience and expertise of the respective humanitarian organisations. The HOC is now enhancing its operations, as the geographical areas of Liberia become more accessible to the humanitarian community.

Under the umbrella of UNOCHA, the authority of the UN Humanitarian Coordinator (HC)/UN Country Team (UNCT), and in close coordination with the Liberian Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), the Humanitarian Operations Centre (HOC) is serving as a common platform for the entity of coordination and UN common services in support of the operational activities undertaken by humanitarian organisations, including UN agencies and NGOs, responding to the emergency in Liberia

The HOC is now staffed at 70% capacity.

LOCOMOCC: 
The LOCOMOCC is coordinating the logistics of the Humanitarian Community. The LOCOMOCC is also providing operational and logistical support in the planning of the DDRR Programme. 

NGO Liaison:

The HOC Humanitarian Briefing is re-scheduled for Monday and Thursday, starting Monday, January 26, 2004.  Venue (WHO Conference Room) and time (5:30 p.m.) remain the same.  This forum provides an opportunity for humanitarian organisations to flag issues and share information.

The United States Aid for International Development (USAID), through Mercy Corps, has awarded a grant of US $100,000 to the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL), for a peace-building programme in Liberia.  Under the agreement, the IRCL will use the grant to support the promotion of the Accra Peace Accord, conduct integrated reconciliation forums, as well as develop the capacity of the IRCL secretariat.

Community Development Services (CDS), a Liberian NGO that is currently seeking to take AIDS education to the communities as a means of creating awareness of the danger the disease poses, recently held its second awareness and community sensitisation workshop along with the Caldwell Road HIV/AIDS Awareness Group at the Caldwell A. G. M. School.  Topics discussed during the workshop included: Sex and Sexuality; Importance of Voluntary Counselling; Testing of HIV/AIDS; Mode of Transmission; and, Relationship between STDs and HIV/AIDS.

Mercy Corps, lead implementer of the United States Aid for International Development (USAID), funded the community peace-building and development programme, Diompilor. Mercy Corps is expected to inaugurate its third community radio station, â??Radio Peaceâ??.  Radio Peace is one of 20 community radio stations envisioned under the five-year Diompilor programme that Mercy Corps has planned to set up throughout the country.  

LRRRC Liaison:
LRRRC represented in the HOC was able to assist in the coordination of the humanitarian mission to South Eastern Liberia (Harper).  Taking into consideration the limitation of the Government of Liberia, the mission included and facilitated the return of Ministry of Health and LRRRC staff to Harper.    

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 47 534 468, 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
 LRRRC Liaison:
  Adella K. Kermah
 NGO Liaison:
  Momo Larmena, Tel: + 377 47 530365, E-mail: momo.larmena@wfp.org 
 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 Co-ordination

UNMIL continues deployment into the country. Units are expanding out of Monrovia. There are plans for movement into the north western region, bordering Sierra Leone. A company will initially be deployed. The priority will be to secure the border, followed by deployment to Robertsport. 

One thousand Ethiopian troops are now deployed to the eastern town of Zwedru.

The Rotterdam completed a five-day CIMIC mission to Harper. Representatives from the NGO community also participated in this mission. 

The Namibian government has dispatched 800 MT of military equipment to Liberia. This equipment will be used by a total of 900 peacekeepers from Namibia who will join the UN Mission in Liberia.

The road from Monrovia to Tubmanburg continues to be patrolled daily from 0700 to 1730. 

The Ukranian MI24 attack helicopters commenced test flights on 24 January. 

The total strength of the UNMIL Force Headquarters is now 109 (out of 165), including a dedicated "Civil Military Cooperation" (CIMIC) section. Next to the 1st Brigade, 110 Military Observers are now deployed in the country. The Force Brigade's total strength is 10,549. There are 140 CIVPOL officers.  Distribution of troops in the sectors is as follows: 

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

UNMIL Force Commander â?? Lieutenant General Opande, Kenya
 Sector 1 Commander â?? Brigadier General Festus Okonkwo, Nigeria
 Civil-Military Co-operation Officer â?? Noel Duffy: + 377 47 532 516 
 UN Civil-Military Co-ordination â?? Stephen Hiscock: + 377 47 530 434
 WFP Civil-Military Liaison â?? Albert Fiawosime: + 377 47 530 209
 UNJLC Civil-Military Liaison â?? Oleksandr Grebenyuk: + 377 47 532 378

9. Fuel (Petrol, Diesel, Kerosene) / Commodity Prices

Mr. Tim Washington provided an update of UNMILâ??s fuel contract to the Joint Logistics Working Group meeting on 21 January. It is expected the contract, a â??turn-keyâ?? type, will be awarded to a single supplier by the middle of February.  The supplier will be responsible for transporting, storing and supplying fuel to locations specified by UNMIL. 

UN agencies requested inclusion into the UNMIL fuel contract through UNDP. Prior to the signing of the contract, UNMIL can lend fuel to agencies within Monrovia on an ad hoc basis, and also offer advice on procurement and prices. However, until the contract is awarded and in place, the Mission cannot provide regular assistance.

The inclusion of UN agencies and other humanitarian actors into the UNMIL contract is yet to be formalised in the form of an agreement or MOU. UNMIL will honour its commitments; however priority will be given to supplying peacekeepers, then civilian UNMIL personnel, then UN operations.

Dynamics of the fuel market in the Liberian economy sustain the high prices and inflexibility faced by UNMIL and humanitarian operations. Currently there is only one importer, West Oil, which operates under licence issued by the Liberian Petroleum Refinery Company (LPRC). While West Oil has a virtual monopoly on land fuel, Exxon Mobil has the exclusive license to import aviation fuel. Currently, Mobil is not supplying to areas outside of Monrovia.

UNMIL is working with the government to recommend the break down of the monopoly. One of the first policies adopted by the transitional government was abolishment of the monopolies on petroleum imports and opening up of the market to at least three importers. West Oilâ??s exclusive license was to be terminated by the end of 2003, but it has not yet taken effect.

The question of NGO inclusion into the UNMIL contract is dependent on the tax-free status of the organisation. Unless the NGOs have a registered duty-free status with the government, they cannot participate in the UNMIL contract. This also applies to the implementing partners of UN agencies. NGOs should provide UNJLC or UNMIL confirmation of their duty-free status. Furthermore, UNJLC has requested the Humanitarian Coordinator to consider the addition of eligible NGOs in the UNMIL contract. 

Provision of anticipated fuel requirements, broken down by location, should be made to either UNJLC or Tim Washington at UNMIL. These figures are required for planning and finalising of the fuel contract:
Tim Washington, UNMIL
Tel: + 377 47 532 625
E-mail: washington@un.org

The study on the fuel market and infrastructure in Liberia commissioned by UNJLC and completed on 10 December 2003 is available on the UNJLC website.

The aims of the study included determining the impact that the UN Mission, particularly UNMIL, may have on the country's fuel economy; examining the cost of fuel in with particular emphasis on the economy of supply to the UN Mission; examining the potential for co-ordination of fuel policy within the humanitarian community; examining critical fuel infrastructure development requirements; and considering any fuel-related impact on the environment.

The exchange rate to the US $ to LD $ is 55.

10. Other

WFP completed a three-day food distribution mission to Saclepea from 23 to 25 January. A 17-truck convoy with a team of WFP staff distributed approximately 180 MT of food commodities to almost 22,000 people in Bahn, Nyao, Dumpan, Gblah, irregular shelters and refugee camps.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is commencing a major agricultural programme, to be implemented during the first half of the year. The programme is aimed at benefiting a total of 30, 000 families in Grand Gedeh and Lofa counties.  The programme aims at encouraging residents and returnees to timely prepare their fields, and for many of them, for the first time in many years, to harvest rice and vegetables from their own farms.

The Ministry of Labour organised a 1-day workshop (January 23, 2004) for the Humanitarian Community. The purpose of this workshop was to create awareness on the Labour Employment Policy and Requirements governing agencies operating in the country. The workshopâ??s topics included the role of the Ministry; alien employment; signing of employment contracts; filling of vacancies; employment of personnel in UNMIL; and, food for work.

The Bureau of Fire Service is the official agency of the Government of Liberia tasked with ensuring fire safety regulations within the country are adhered to by all organisations, agencies, institutions and the general public.

Prices of fire extinguishers and fire-safety signs, provided by the Bureau, are as follows:

11. Liberia International Staff

Peter Schaller: peter.schaller@wfp.org Mobile: + 377 47 534 090
Matthew Dee: matthew.dee@wfp.org 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
Jim Williams: jim.williams@wfp.org, Mobile: + 377 47 540 010
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.

ABOUT UNJLC
UNJLC is an inter-agency facility reporting, in the current emergency, to the Humanitarian Coordinator for Liberia, and overall to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. Its mandate is to coordinate and optimise the logistics capabilities of humanitarian organisations in large-scale emergencies. UNJLC operates under the custodianship of WFP who are responsible for the administrative and financial management of the Centre. UNJLC is funded from voluntary contributions channelled through WFP. The UNJLC project document for Liberia can be viewed on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).