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1. HIGHLIGHTS   
2. SECURITY/ACCESS   
3. LOGISTICS GENERAL
4. COMMON NFI PIPELINE   
5. SURFACE TRANSPORT   
6. AIR OPERATIONS
7. FUEL PRICES   
8. SOUTH, EAST AND TRANSITIONAL AREAS
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1. HIGHLIGHTS

Continued Insecurity throughout Darfur and South Sudan impeded the supply of humanitarian goods and services to vulnerable populations.  Much of West Darfur and southern South Sudan remains at UN Security Phase IV.  The UN is currently examining various options to access vulnerable populations in insecure areas. 

NFI Common Pipeline Shortfalls: The NFI situation in Darfur is urgent. Shortfalls in blankets, women's clothing, and jerry cans are expected by the end of April.  In addition, funding to the Common Pipeline's logistics agency - CARE - has not been sufficient to guarantee transport of NFIs beyond March. 

Soap Distributions: Soap distributions have decreased dramatically in 2006.  UNJLC and UNICEF are looking into alternative mechanisms to increase distributions, coverage and frequency.  UNJLC and UNICEF encourage all agencies with transportation capacity from state capitals to distribution points to contact UNICEF water/sanitation sector and UNJLC at the state level to access and distribute as much soap as possible. 

2. SECURITY/ACCESS ¹

Access Problems Continue: In February, the areas north of Geneina and in West Jebel Marra continued to be inaccessible to humanitarian agencies by road and air due to the security situation.  In addition, banditry, particularly on the Kebkabiyah-El Fasher and Mershing-Menawashi roads continued to threaten transporters in the Darfurs.  

North Darfur: There are reports of troop build-up and or reinforcements in Um Kadada, causing concern about potential displacement and impeded deliveries of relief items in the area.
 
Movement was restricted to certain locations in North Darfur February 16-18 due to a temporary disruption in the notification process for groups party to the conflict. (Source: WFP)

South Darfur:  Heavy fighting in the vicinity of Shearia between armed government and rebel groups led to further displacements (some to North Darfur) and limited humanitarian access to the area.   At the end of February, the UN no-go roads in South Darfur were Kass/Nertiti/Zalingei, Menawashi/Shangal Tobay, and  Belal camp/Muhajaria

West Darfur: Tensions on the border between Sudan and Chad continue to hamper the delivery of relief supplies to beneficiaries.

In El Geneina, two armed robberies were reported targeting guesthouses of international humanitarian organisations in the town; one of these robberies led the organisation to relocate to Khartoum. (Source: WFP)

The road between Masteri and Kongo Haraza remains problematic for commercial transporters.  In addition, WFP reports that uncertainty remains over whether food distributions will be possible in Kongo Haraza, Masteri and Arara where an estimated 30,000 beneficiaries already missed their January rations.  In addition, an attack on Kongo Haraza by unknown armed groups on the February 17 resulted in suspension of the recently re-instated flight to Kongo Haraza, Arara and Masteri.

The south-west humanitarian corridor is accessible from Habila to Arara and Beida while Masteri can be accessed from El Geneina.

South Sudan: UN Security declared the roads between Wau/Rumbek and Wau/Gogrial safe for UN movement. The re-opening of these roads is expected to greatly increase the efficiency of humanitarian operations in the region. (Source: WFP)

Due to reported Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) activity, the following area continues to be UN Security Phase IV, greatly reducing logistical access: North of the Sudanese/Ugandan Border between Rasolo and Lotukei, West of the Road Kimatong-Chukudum-Lotukei [but exclusive] and South of the line Kimatong-Lafon-Gondokoro-Rejef-Bungu-Tore Wandi -Rasolo.

In addition, the area within the above boundaries in Eastern Equatoria and Bahr-El-Jebal has been placed at UN Security Phase IV (Emergency Operations Only). Routes to the east and south of Maridi and Yambio in Western Equatoria astride the border are at Level 3 and became subject to the same travel restrictions as implemented the Phase IV area.

The remainder of South Sudan is at UN Security Phase III.

Transitional Areas: The demobilization of militia groups continues to cause problems in parts of the south, particularly Upper Nile as the instability and uncertainty created by this process is expected to continue to partially restrict humanitarian access. (Source: WFP)

3. LOGISTICS GENERAL

Light Vehicle Convoy to the Darfurs:  UNJLC continues to work on facilitating a convoy to El Fasher and Nyala depending on the security situation.  The convoy is scheduled to depart in March. 

River Barge: UNJLC is coordinating an arrangement between interested organizations and UNICEF to share the costs of a barge travelling Kosti-Malakal-Juba. 

HIV/AIDS Awareness for Transporters: UNFPA has HIV/AIDS awareness materials and can facilitate trainings for agencies interested in providing these materials and trainings to their transporters.  Please contact Maha El Muna at elmuna@unfpa.org for additional information. 

UNJLC Field Logistics Officers:  Gursharan Singh is the logistics officer in Nyala - Gursharan.Singh@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912174731, VHF call sign NL3.  Alister Shields is the logistics officer in Geneina - Alister.Shields@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912391044, VHF call sign GL3.2.  Sedick Toffa is the logistics officer in El Fasher - Sedick.Toffa@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912160884, VHF call sign FL 3.1.  Nicolas Daher is the roving logistics officer based out of Nyala - Nicolas.Daher@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912160410, VHF call sign NL1. 

4. COMMON NFI PIPELINE

Distributions: In February, nearly 25,000 households received Common Pipeline (CP) NFIs in Darfur.  The following agencies distributed CP NFIs in February: SCF-US, HelpAge, IRC, CHF International, Rayahin, World Vision, Cordaid, ACF, Bakhita, CARE, SPCR, UNFPA, MDM, Merlin, and GAA.  The commodities were 38,472 blankets, 11,123 plastic sheets, 17,063 sleeping mats, 18,705 pieces of sanitary materials, 430 buckets, 982 jerry cans, and 26,776 items of women's clothing. The commodities were distributed to the following locations: South Darfur - Amaki Sara, Dereig, Duma, El Neem, Kalma, Menawashi, Mershing, Nyala, Nyamma, Otash, and Sania Afandu; North Darfur - Al Salam, Hashaba, and Um Sidir; West Darfur - Geneina, Kerenek, Mornei, and Zalingei.

In addition, the NFI CP loaned UNHCR NFIs for distribution to 3,194 households of Chadian asylum seekers in Gello, West Darfur following a joint UN assessment. Cooperating partners Catholic Relief Services and MSF-F distributed the items.   

NFI Common Pipeline Shortfalls: The NFI situation in Darfur is urgent. Shortfalls in blankets, women's clothing, and jerry cans are expected by the end of April.  In addition, funding to the CP logistics agency - CARE - has not been sufficient to guarantee transport of NFIs beyond March. 

See figure 1 (on top of this page) for FI Common Pipeline Stocks as of February 26, 2006

Incoming Items: UNICEF has ordered jerry cans (29,000 jerry cans at $75,000) and plastic sheeting (25,000 pieces at $225,000) for the CP.  The jerry cans were procured in Nyala and will be available for transfer to West and North Darfur in early March.  UNICEF has loaned the CP 11,000 pieces of plastic sheeting to fill the pipeline break until the 25,000 procured pieces arrive.  These 11,000 pieces are scheduled to enter the CP in early March with the remaining 14,000 pieces scheduled to arrive in El Obeid in March or April. 

Donations to the CP: Organizations are reminded that if they donate NFI to the CP, the CP will cover the cost of transporting the NFI from El Obeid to the distribution points.  Agencies/NGOs can then access the CP NFI for distribution, if the target population meets CP standards.  Due to funding shortages, CARE does not have the capacity to handle NFI cargo in Khartoum nor are there funds for transporting NFIs from Khartoum to El Obeid. As a result, any future in-kind CP contributions should be delivered to the CARE warehouse at El Obeid.

Soap Distributions: At the commencement of 2006, soap was removed from the NFI CP basket and handed over to UNICEF, as water/sanitation lead, to coordinate distributions.  However, with the removal of soap from the CP, the financial burden of transport from the state capitals to final distribution points is now borne by cooperating partners.  Since that time, there has been a sharp decrease in soap distributions and UNJLC and UNICEF are looking into alternative mechanisms to increase distributions, coverage and frequency.  UNJLC and UNICEF encourage all agencies with transportation capacity from state capitals to distribution points to contact UNICEF water/sanitation sector and UNJLC at the state level to access and distribute as much soap as possible. 

Possible Russian Donation: The Russian government has offered to airlift humanitarian commodities to Sudan.  It is not yet clear whether the offer is of a flight only or includes an NFI donation.  UNJLC, UNHAS and OCHA are in the process of clarifying with the Russian Federation to the UN the scope of this final donation. 

Monitoring and Evaluation: NFI CP Post-distribution monitoring and evaluation shall be the responsibility of CARE for 2006.  CARE's plans include on-site monitoring at the time of distribution; household level monitoring in the IDP locations; and focus group discussions with the recipients.  The results of the monitoring and evaluations will be used to determine future NFI procurement and assist with future distribution plans. 

NFI CP Rubhalls:  The last of the four 2005-procured rubhalls has been allocated to IRC in Kass, South Darfur to serve as a common NFI storage facility for all organizations in Kass. 

Darfur NFI Common Pipeline MOU: The Darfur NFI CP Memorandum of Understanding for 2006 was finalized between UNJLC, UNOCHA, UNICEF and CARE. 

NFI Pipeline Management Tool: UNJLC has developed a document, based on the WFP pipeline management system, to show pipeline breaks of individual items in the NFI Common Pipeline. 

Other Pipelines: Information on other NFI pipelines and distributions is vital for ensuring that NFI coverage is comprehensive.  All supply managers and NFI coordinators are requested to contact Katie Inglis at Katie.inglis@wfp.org with information on their NFI activities. 

5. SURFACE TRANSPORT

CARE Common Service Surface Transport:  The CARE free-to user Common Service Surface Transport system will not operate in 2006 due to a lack of funding.  

Dry Season Transport:  In order to preposition commodities for the rainy season and take advantage of lower costs, agencies have been focusing on surface transport to move humanitarian supplies.   For example, WFP has not transported any food to the Darfur region by air in 2006; instead, WFP has transported more than 70,000 MT of mixed food by road. 

6. AIR OPS

NFI Flights: There were no UNHAS NFI flights in January or February 2006.  UNHAS is considering the possibility of operating weekly NFI flights during the rainy season but these flights are dependent on funding.  However, the UNHAS small cargo service (25 kg/package up to 100 kg total) is still available.  Interested organizations should contact UNHAS directly by calling Dominic Waldron on 0912167520.  These flights are to North and South Sudan.  In addition, organizations can transport items through UNMIS on a space-available basis. Please contact UNJLC for details.   

UNHAS Fleet: The total current UNHAS fleet consists of: 

Khartoum: Two Dash-8s, Two B-1900s, One B-200
El Obeid: One C208, One IL-76, One AN-12
Nyala: One C208, One M18 Helicopter
El Fasher: One M18 Helicopter
Geneina: One M18 Helicopter
Wau: One C208
Juba: One C208
Lokichoggio: Two AN-12, Two Dash-8s,
Rumbek: One Twin Otter
Lokichoggio/Rumbek: Eight C208s, Two Buffalos

Nyala Airport Closures: The Nyala Airport will be closed three days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) from February 22 to March 22 from 11:00 am to the next day for maintenance work on the tarmac.  The Nyala-based UNHAS caravan and helicopters are excluded from the closure.

7. FUEL PRICES

Fuel Survey: In March, an independent fuel consultant will travel to North and South Sudan to update the 2004 fuel studies.   The survey will include the identification of potential and existing capacity limitations and bottlenecks, so as to provide the agencies with a clear contemporary understanding of the fuels logistics challenges arising from a further expansion and the change in shape of humanitarian operations in Sudan, particularly in the light of the implementation of the January 2005 peace agreement.

See figure 2 (on top of this page) for Diesel Price Trends in Northern Sudan (SD per L)
 
February Diesel Prices in Sudan (SD per L)

Commercial Airline Services: The number of commercial companies flying to South Sudan from Kenya and Uganda has increased.  The latest information on commercial airline services in South Sudan is available at -> Snapshot Commercial Air. 

IDP Returns: In the first week of February, the first large group of IDPs returned to Bor from Maridi with the assistance of UNHCR and IOM. UNHCR uses White Nile ferry to start major return of Sudanese IDPs.   The returnees had begun moving in November last year with half a million head of cattle.  250,000 cattle have arrived to date.  The women, children, and elderly returned by passenger ferry.   (Source: UNHCR) 

In the middle of February however, the returns were temporarily suspended in order to prevent the spread of an outbreak of acute watery diarrhea, which has killed more than 100 people among approximately 5,400 cases in Juba and Yei to date.   (Source: IOM)

Demining:  In February, UN Mine Action Office (UNMAO) route verification/clearance activities are as follow:

Kadugli-Talodi Road: UNMAS Route Verification team completed verification/clearance.
Juba-Yei Road: Operations to clear Mile 40 area were suspended in February due to reported LRA presence.
Juba-Rokon Road: UNMAS Route Verification team continued to verify/clear the road.
Wau-Gogrial Road: UNMAS Route verification team began verification/clearance, expected to be completed in the near future.
Abyei-Gogrial Road: UNMAS Technical Survey team (FSD) continued to survey along the route.  (Source: UNMAO)

UNMAO is conducting Landmine Safety Trainings for UN and NGO staff, and a regular landmine safety briefing in UNMAO Khartoum.  Please contact UNMAO for further information. 

Yei-Juba Route: While clearance of the Yei-Juba road has not been completed and certified, given the importance of the road, UNMAO recommends the following risk mitigation measures:

• Do not be the first vehicles up the route that day (not before 9am or 25 vehicles have gone up the route)
• If the route is not trafficked as above, a MPV (Mine Protected Vehicle) should lead the convoy.
• Strict Traffic Control/Convoy Discipline at all time
• Drivers must be briefed to the risks of mines and possibility of re-laid mines and should have completed the necessary mine awareness briefings.
• All members of the convoy briefed on immediate action drills.
• Casevac cover must be in place and communications established.
• The vehicles stay in the middle of the track (within the 8 meters width of the road) for the whole of the 2.7km between bridges 1 and 3.
• No vehicle overtakes unless directed by the convoy leader.
• Nobody leaves the vehicles between the above 2.7 km.
• All drivers undertake this fully aware of the threat and have the option of not to drive it.
  

WFP Road Assessments: WFP conducted road assessments in greater Bahr el Ghazal and Pochalla County of Jonglei in February. Recommendations included various Food for Work schemes to build Irish bridges across river crossings in Bahr el Ghazal. New access points linking final distribution points across the states were also identified and shared with contracted transporters on the ground. An additional two flospans were erected in Juba.

A separate mission to Upper Nile identified road access from Kosti and Malakal to locations in Upper Nile as well as Jonglei.  A similar mission will be conducted in Warap, northern counties of Jonglei (Ayod, North Bor, Nyirol) and Western Equatoria (Tanbura, Yambio and Ezo), the latter security permitting, in March. (Source: WFP)

Adok Port: In Unity State, civilians have reported that the occupation by SAF of the Adok Port (120 km south-east of Bentiu) has created limitations on access to the port, which has been declared a military zone.  Adok Port is important for Adok Bahar residents and barge passengers going to and from Juba.  (Source: UNMIS)

¹ The security information in this bulletin is current as of March 4.  Please be advised that as the security situation changes frequently, this information should be used as a historical guideline only.