The Logistics Cluster team in Erbil and Baghdad has been working strenuously since October 2015 to support the delivery of humanitarian cargo in Iraq on behalf of USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA).
USAID/OFDA has been contributing to the relief activities in refugee and IDP camps in Iraq, implemented by IOM, UNFPA and UNICEF, shipping into the country US $75 million worth of WASH, shelter and non-food items.
The limited infrastructure and the volatile security situation constrain access and land transportation, therefore USAID/OFDA has requested the Logistics Cluster support for the handling and storage of these relief items, almost 29,000 m3 to reach warehouses in Erbil and Baghdad and to be dispatched.
The Logistics Cluster provided USAID/OFDA with details of warehouse capacity across Iraq, including airport storage facilities, and key logistics information such as handling costs, available transport options, and existing procedures on cargo and consignment tracking.
To accommodate storage and dispatch to the implementing organisations, the initial storage capacity of 4,700 m2 was augmented to over 18,000 m2 and additional staff was recruited: storekeepers in both Erbil and Baghdad and a dedicated RITA operator to keep track of incoming and outgoing consignments.
The Logistics Cluster has been coordinating with USAID/OFDA to ensure timely delivery and efficient storage of cargo coming from Kuwait and Turkey, and with all recipient agencies to facilitate the dispatches. From the 16th November until 30th January a total of 1,021 trucks have been received, 771 in Erbil and 250 in Baghdad.
“We have been receiving and securely stored hundreds of thousands of different items, comprising winter clothing, tarpaulins, blankets, kerosene heaters, solar rechargeable lights, items that will make a difference in the lives of those who have to go through winter in camps” Said Joseph, the Logistics Officer in charge of the Logistics Cluster warehouse management in Iraq. “It meant tireless work, weekends included, but it was possible thanks to the excellent collaboration between the Logistics Cluster and all parties involved. We now need to complete the dispatch to make sure agencies can deliver to their beneficiaries, so back to work!”
