Bulletin 11 UNJLC Iraq

Content

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

The password restrictions have been lifted from the UNJLC website www.unjlc.org, on which full details of all items mentioned in the bulletin below are available. Contact details for all UNJLC offices are available on the UNJLC website.

CONTENTS

• 1. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
• 2. SECURITY
• 3. AIR OPERATIONS
• 4. BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS
• 5. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
• 6. LOGISTICS
• 7. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION
• 8. FUEL
• 9. OTHER

1. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

The first UN flight into Iraq since the start of the hostilities took place on 6th May, using C-130 operated by the Government of Belgium. At the time of writing it is the only humanitarian air transport asset that can enter Iraq.

UNJLC Syria, in collaboration with the humanitarian community, has obtained broad tax exemptions from the Government of Syria (GoS) for humanitarian cargo as of 4th May.

On 4th May, UNJLC Jordan led a joint technical mission to the damaged bridge at the Ar-Rutbah in Iraq. The team, consisting of engineers and ordinance experts, confirmed the need for immediate action to be taken.

Gasoline supplies appear to improving around the country. Diesel remains available in most areas. LPG through the intervention programme has improved the situation but the price remains high.

2. SECURITY

Iraq: Most of the Southern parts of Iraq in now at security phase 4. Baghdad was declared phase 4 on the 8th May.

Iran: The five provinces bordering Iraq – West Azarbayejan, Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah and Kurdistan along with the two provinces bordering Afghanistan on the East, Khorasan and Sistan are at security phase 2. The rest of the country is now classified phase 1.

Jordan: The country is at security phase 2.

Kuwait: The country is at security phase 3.

Syria: The country is at security phase 1.

Turkey: The country is at security phase 2 in South East and at phase 1 elsewhere.

3. AIR OPERATIONS

The first UN flight into Iraq since the start of the hostilities took place on 6th May, using C-130 operated by the Government of Belgium. At the time of writing it is the only humanitarian air transport asset that can enter Iraq.

There have been a number of developments in the area of airspace, airports and related procedures. The Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) is now available on the RAMCC website (http://www.centaf.af.mil/ramcc/) and contains all the information necessary for the conduct of flights in Iraqi airspace.

Airports in Iraq currently operational include Basrah International, Baghdad International, Bashur Airport, Kirkuk Airport and Mosul Airport (C-130 or smaller).

The Humanitarian Aviation Board has been established by the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq to provide direction and guidance for the utilisation of air transport services operated by UNHAS. UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP and WHO are members of the board; UNJLC and UNHAS are the ex-officio members. The Board also sponsors the Standard Administration and Operating Procedures (SAOPs) for UNHAS which will be published on the UNJLC website. The SAOPs gives full procedural guidance on passenger and cargo booking procedures.

At Baghdad airport, offloading of cargo is reported to be quick and efficient. A team of 8-9 people are dedicated to the offload of non-US traffic (they call it the “NGO-ramp”). Forklift and loading equipment is available in addition to Ground Power Units (GPU) upon request.

Basrah Airport is ready to receive humanitarian flights. All services will be free of charge except for fuel supply.

In Turkey, authorities have been allowing the use of Diyarbakir civil/military airport. At the end of May, the UNICEF office, that has been coordinating most of the flights out of this location, will close down making any future flights highly problematic. Diyarbakir is therefore not recommended as a first option for air planners.

In Kuwait, authorities have announced that the agreement for cargo handling discounts on humanitarian cargo needs to be renewed. UNJLC, with the support of UN Resident Representative, has re-applied for discounts of 50%. In the meantime, full commercial rates will have to be paid until the Kuwaiti authorities approve the discount and organise reimbursements.

UNJLC is proposing that strategic airlift operations are diverted from Kuwait to Baghdad or Basra due to (i) difficulties experienced Kuwaiti local authorities during cargo handling; (ii) cost differences and (iii) options of delivering cargo directly to consignee final warehouses. Offloading could be organised by the consignee or the military forces operating in Iraq.

4. BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS

Trebil border crossing, between Jordan and Iraq, is open to humanitarian and commercial traffic. The commercial and passenger traffic across the border has accelerated during the past weeks. Iraqi visas are made a requirement at the border which is enforced by the Jordanian Border Police despite the coalition forces’ emphasize that the visa was not required.

The Government of Syria has granted broad tax exemptions to the humanitarian community and improved customs procedures. (See Customs Procedures for Syria on the website). These exemptions apply to humanitarian shipments only, and not Oil for Food cargo, which is considered commercial.

To avoid violation of sanctions, the Turkish authorities are asking for certification from Office-of-Iraq Programme (OIP) in New York and Cotecna in Iskanderun prior to dispatch into Iraq.

In Iran, WFP has experienced some bottle necks at Penjwin border due to commercial traffic. WFP has made a request to customs authorities to priorities their vehicles.

In Kuwait, border crossing procedures continue to inefficient and time consuming. New computerized immigration systems and large parking spaces for trucks are likely to improve throughput.

5. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE

On 4th May, UNJLC Jordan, led a joint assessment team to the damaged bridge at Ar-Rutbah in Iraq. The team, consisting of engineers and ordnance experts, confirmed the need for immediate action to be taken. (see the website). Following the assessment, UNJLC organized a conference at the Ministry of Public Works and Housing to discuss a plan for the re-construction of the bridge. Participants included government officials, donors, military representatives and other members of the humanitarian community. The total estimated cost of the bridge repair is 4.1 million USD and will take 4-5 months to complete. In the short term, it was agreed to

• Establish a traffic monitoring, restriction and control system;
• Remove the bus blocking one lane of the bridge;
• Establish warning and safety signs;
• Establish temporary gravel detour routes 2 lanes in each direction; and
• Fix the eastbound and westbound sections.

Technical constraints and capacity problems in the ports of Aqaba (Jordan) and Umm Qasr may lead to diversions of cargo, for come operators, to Turkish ports during June/July.

A second mission to assess the damage at a second bridge location on the same highway is being organized by UNJLC.

6. LOGISTICS

WHO is expecting roughly 150 million USD worth of medical supplies from the OFFP programme. Amman, Jordan, is considered to be the main hub for the movement of medical supplies into Iraq.

UNICEF is transporting drinking water by truck into the south of Iraq as part of the efforts to combat the outbreak of cholera in Basrah.

7. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION

The coalition has established an office in Basrah for coordination between the military and the humanitarian community. ORHA has co-located in the same office.

8. FUEL

Gasoline supplies appear to improving around the country. Diesel remains available in most areas. The availability of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) is improving but the price remains high.

In addition to the internal production of LPG, imports from Kuwait totalling approximately one million litres of gasoline, and 50 tonnes of LPG, have helped top stabilise prices.

Police forces are being used to provide security to allow oil workers to conduct assessments of the Nasiriyah pipeline with the aim of restarting operations. Concurrent work is being undertaken by the Southern Oil Company (SOC) to open the Strategic North / South Pipeline. These repairs are expected to take 3 weeks.

The map indicates the fuel availability at petrol stations inside Iraq; a similar document indicating the fuel availability at refineries is available at the UNJLC website.

Fuel prices for the region are available at the UNJLC website.

9. OTHER

UNJLC is negotiating with Iraqi contractors to lay on transport for UN staff between Kuwait and Basrah.

A Disaster Telecommunications course is being run in Syria by Mr. Mark Wood (+963 93 47 56 36) Syria.tco@drcf.net . So far, four sessions have been held since 30th April, with the 27 participants (MDM, MSF, UNICEF, UNHAS, UNJLC, WFP, UNRWA, IOM, OCHA) both in Hassake (4) and Damascus (23). Practical courses on HF, VHF and satellite phones will be held next week.

UNDP has received the machine to issue UN ID cards for the Iraq operation and is in the process of customs clearance.