Summary
Content
Bulletin 22 Indian Ocean Tsunami- Logistics update - 4 February 2005
INDONESIA
GENERAL
- A meeting between UNJLC and the Government of Indonesia (GoI) Customs Technical Director drew attention to the Director General of Customs and Excise letter S16/BC/2005, dated 07 January 2005 (posted at www.unjlc.org). Of particular interest is reference to paragraph 7, which states the Coordinating Minister for Peoples' Welfare had instructed all departments to assist in al possible ways with the relief effort. Further reference was drawn to the Director General's letter s-823/BC/2004 dated 29th December 2004 that states that all materials for the relief effort sanctioned by the authority of either the Coordinating Minister for Peoples' Welfare OR the Minister for Social Affairs (Mr. Bachtiar Hamizan) (OR their delegates) are granted exclusive rights to authorize and permit the passage of relief goods expeditiously through the customs and excise entry ports. The Director assured the intention of the POSKO, was not for physical passage of goods but for mandatory reporting of goods granted the clear passage as determined by the GoI decrees above.
- A significant decrease in humanitarian relief moved was observed and reported during the week. These were confirmed by UNJLC, UNHAS as well as by IOM, which are heavily involved in the movement of humanitarian aid using land corridors. NGOs reporting that their warehouses in Medan and Banda Aceh were overloaded were encouraged to contact UNJLC and IOM, in order to reduce warehouse related bottlenecks.
- Very little response is forthcoming from any Agency with regards to cargo requests. The UNJLC air cell does not anticipate an increase in Helicopter capacity, but rather assets will most likely be removed if there are not additional requests received over the next 2-3 weeks.
- UNJLC suggests that the humanitarian community consider making use of TNI troops to offload cargo along the West coast if assistance is required and civilian workers are incapable or unavailable. TNI have approved in principle this ad hoc assistance provision.
- The Customs Procedures provided by the GoI and advised by UNJLC have not been operating as expected. Indonesian customs officials in Banda Aceh do not have the capacity to clear goods on arrival and are instead instructing consignees to take their cargo without following proper clearance procedures. Organisations with a permanent programming presence (e.g. WHO) want to follow these new guidelines but are finding that the Banda Aceh customs officials are following the old methods. Organisations have been advised to maintain complete files and documentation relating to customs clearance matters in anticipation of future auditing/paperwork demands. New guidelines have been issued and UNJLC Banda Aceh is assessing adherence to these new procedures.
- Medan: It is currently taking up to a week to clear customs e.g. OXFAM and WFP. UNJLC met with local customs to clarify situation. It appears that the customs here are following the national agreements for the emergency as well as the standard agreements covering UN, IOs and participating NGOs.
- In Meulaboh, the main concern for the port is lack of warehousing. It is estimated that at least five Rubbhalls are required to cope with the upcoming reconstruction phase.
AIR
- The two C160s from France will help with capacity needed to Meulaboh. The possible deployment of the light fixed wing (Twin Otter Type) would give increased flexibility and reduce helo use for pax to areas where a suitable runway is available.
- The Spanish are sending 3 x AB212 helicopters, a support ship and an engineering crew with 243 troops. ETA 7/02/05.
- Air Serv are based in Sabang, operating 7 helicopters 2 x Hueys capable of carrying underslung loads, and 5 x smaller helos capable of carrying up to 14 pax. Also a King Air 300 is available as of 3/02/05. On the West coast they are operating as far south as Meulaboh and are available to NGOs on a scheduled basis. Air Serv have reported an increase in cargo flow, particularly in terms of sustainable development goods such as building materials and WATSAN equipment.
- All outstanding safety and security briefings to the air crew have been carried out.
- Incident reports received from two crews indicate an overload on the helo frequency 129.3 in the Meulaboh area. This was presented to the Australians to investigate a common frequency for all to use in the area, and thus free up 129.3. Furthermore, the LZ at the TNI base at Meulaboh cannot cope with the larger helicopters and a decision has been made by the UNHAS taskers to task these air craft to the air field at Meulaboh. The presence of WFP staff on the ground has made it possible to organize transport to and from the air field.
- The MEDIVAC procedure has been finalized and will be distributed by UNSECOORD.
- Air movement out of Medan to BA is dropping as more goods are shifted to road.
- In Meulaboh, coordination of flights is not optimal yet. In discussions with various airstaffs UNJLC has been advised that this should not be a problem in the future as the primary Landing Site is LS5 in front of the TNI HQ. LS3 is at the port is used only to deliver pax/cargo to the port on specially requested flights AND as an emergency alternate LS should LS5 be occupied. If there is a diversion, the air staffs have advised that the helicopter will go to LS5 as soon as it is cleared to pick up pax and cargo. LS1 is located at CUT NYAK DIEN airport and is intended to only be used for refuelling and parking. In discussions with Capt Sholeh (081 370 1234 95) the senior TNI at the airfield, he advised that UNHAS is most welcome to set up a tent/office to coordinate UNHAS flights. It is recommended that helicopters report into the WFP base station call sign IHF Base, when 100km from arrival. HF 4100 USB, 6700 USB and 9050 USB, cell call 590608 HF. VHF 163.3125 adn 163.650 tone 141.3. WFP will broadcast arrival to all agencies.
FUEL
- Based on ongoing cooperation with Pertamina, UNJLC is surveying the fuel needs of agencies and NGOs in order to assess further demands. UNJLC reiterated at the General Coordination meeting on Thursday 2 February 2005 that agencies and NGOs must notify UNJLC of fuel requirements in tsunami affected areas, including quantity and location, and that if they do not comply then fuel may not be available to them at a later stage.
- Air Serv report that fuel prices have risen from 37 cents/litre to 41 cents/litre in the last week.
- A fuel farm will be moved to Meulaboh. This will be carried out by a French C160. The farm will be stored at Meulaboh until a constructor has been found. Wheeled fuel bowsers will also be provided.
ROAD TRANSPORT
- IOM will continue to provide 40 trucks in the Banda Aceh area for cost free common use until the end of February, at which point future needs will be assessed. They have provided 20 trucks to WFP. IOM are reducing their direct logistics and distribution activities.
- The road between Meulaboh and Lamno is reportedly passable for light vehicles with increased loads, but not trucks. This improvement is due to a decrease in rain, and increased consolidation of new road surfaces.
- Road access along the West coast in sections between broken bridge points has improved faster than expected.
- TNI report that bridging assets are in place to finalise the Banda Aceh - Lamno road. TNI have accepted the DFID Bailey bridge donation and will use this additional 200m at identified points along the whole coastal road.
- Road conditions from Medan to Meulaboh are stable. A UNJLC assessment is forthcoming.
- IOM reports demand for transport to all locations is increasing with Nias in particular becoming popular. Route to Nias is by road to Sibolga and then by boat. In order to alleviate demand IOM and TNT have increased their fleet size. IOM has increased from 140 10 days ago to 193.
SEA
- CARE plans to use the port at Sabang as a base, including the now empty warehouses. They are currently operating 2 x 50MT boats and may have excess capacity, which they are offering on an ad hoc basis. Contact Steve 0651740 5918.
- As foreign military sea assets have not yet been used on the West coast, UNJLC is seeking RFAs in order to assess TNI's reaction to use of such assets as a regular delivery mechanism for aid goods. UNJLC have sought clarification on this matter directly with the TNI in the CIMIC meeting and are now awaiting TNI's response. TNI have approved use of these assets for delivery of road repair plant.
- Singapore has applied to bring in a barge pier to Meulaboh, currently waiting approval from TNI. If approved it would arrive in 4-6 weeks and facilitate RO-RO traffic and general cargo handling. Future assessments may be required in order to determine if there are suitable areas for container stacking and a rack stacker/forklift.
- UNJLC have advised the humanitarian aid community to remain transparent on prices they pay for seagoing assets.
- WFP has agreed that Malahayati (Aceh Besar) Port will be the main port for the region and will most likely be used extensively as an entrepot. Initial volumes: 350 MT of pallets, cartons and vegetable oil arriving on the LTC Labitra Reulina, to be discharged from the 05/02/05 onwards, destined for Banda Aceh. Rimba Delapan will start discharging 4800MT on the 10/02/05, destined for Aceh Besar.
- Update of sea conditions on the West Coast: According to local fishermen at Lampulo River Port in Banda Aceh, there are no problems accessing strategic sites along the West coast using reasonable sized local fishing boats. When the NW winds arrive in early March access to certain areas will be restricted at particular times, but local boats will continue to be operational most days. Larger boats (30MT) are making trips from Lampulo Port to Lhong, Lho Kruet, Calang, Lamno, Teunom and Meulaboh, and boats up to 80MT in size are able to service these routes. These boats can unload directly at Calang, Lamno and Meulaboh, though there have been some problems with sandbars.
- Due to changes in the seabed caused by the tsunami, the depth at Teunom (previously 6m) is now 0.5 - 1.5m. Small boats (4MT) are used to transfer cargo from the larger boats to the land. A similar process occurs in Lhong and Lho Kruet, though in these places boats smaller than 4 MT must be used. In April and May the small boats must stay at sea overnight and then transfer cargo to land the next morning, before approximately 10 am when the wind picks up.
- The approximate travel time from Lampulo Port Banda Aceh to each site is as follows:
- Lhong 3 hours
- Lamno 6 hours
- Lho Kruet 8 hours
- Calang 10-12 hours
- Teunom 14-16 hours
- Meulaboh 16-18 hours
SRI LANKA
UNJLC LOGISTICS ASSESSMENT
Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Ampara, Galle - 16-22 January 2005
TRANSPORT
- There are very few transport companies in the east of Sri Lanka. Those which can offer 1 to 5 trucks are usually engaged in other business for which the use of these trucks is necessary. The companies will offer them for rent for a proper price. However, the transport in which they are engaged (tea, rice, flour, cement industries) might suffer as a consequence.
- A complete list of truck owners (including owners of one truck) in Batticaloa/Ampara is being compiled by WFP.
- The district of Galle in the south has a significant number of transport companies with bigger fleets than available in the east.
- Each division in a district has a Multi Purpose Corporate Society (MPCS) which normally own a lorry and tractor(s) for their various activities; these vehicles may be used for relief activities on availability basis.
- Each district has a health department with 1-2 trucks for their use only.
Relief organizations per district and transport available
Trincomalee:
- Number of relief organizations: 17
- Transport Available:
- 2 private companies - 15 trucks (~12MT)
- UNHCR - 2 trucks (5MT)
- MPCS - 4 trucks (10MT)
- WVI - Plans to bring in 5MT trucks
Batticaloa:
- Number of relief organizations: 31
- Transport available:
- Unidentified number of individual lorries available from private companies
- UNHCR - 1 truck (10Mt)
- MPCS - 14 trucks
- WVI - plans to bring in 5MT trucks
Ampara:
- Number of relief organizations: 60
- Transport available:
- 2 private companies - 9 trucks (~12MT)
- UNHCR - 1 truck (10MT)
- VWI - plans to bring in 5MT trucks
- MPCS - 17 trucks
Galle:
- Number of relief organizations: 50
- Transport available:
- 4 private companies - 50 trucks (5-15MT)
- WVI - plans to bring in 5MT trucks
- MPCS - 9 trucks
Overall:
- The companies usually sub-contract individual lorry owners if a large number is required.
- At a first glance, there might be some shortage in Trincomalee (although both companies state they can sub-contract to cover up to 20 trucks daily), and more importantly in Batticaloa and Ampara which are the most isolated and least developed districts covered by this survey. The district of Galle is only two hours away from Colombo and agencies can easily rent trucks from the capital.
STORAGE
- In each district assessed the Government has large warehouses where all relief items are stored. The management of these warehouses is not up to UN standards and the local staff needs to be trained.
- MPCS has limited storage in each division, used for their own activities.
- Additional storage facilities are available in the district capitals, but they need some repairs.
Trincomalee:
- LAFERGE Cement Store (800MT) to be negotiated
- MPCS Store in use for WFP food (800MT)
- UNHCR has a RH (350MT)
- WFP is expecting 2 Wick Halls
Batticaloa:
- CWE Store currently used by Unicef/WFP, some rooms still available but need repairs (total capacity ~2500MT)
- UNHCR has a RH at CWE
- ICRC is building a small warehouse
Ampara:
- Paddy Marketing Store (~700MT)
Galle:
- Yet to be assessed, but apparently there are many structures around
- The storage at EDP/FDP, out of the district capital is limited.
RELATED DOCUMENTS
Distribution of Aid commodities:
http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/30728
Letters on Airport Charges:
http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/30655
Roads Assessments:
http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/30737
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IOT BULLETIN
A bulletin of logistics matters in ongoing relief operations in the crisis region affected by the Indian Ocean Tsunami of December 26, 2004. Compiled from situation reports from UNJLC officers in the field and other UN and humanitarian information resources.
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ABOUT UNJLC
- UNJLC is an inter-agency facility whose mandate is to coordinate and optimize the logistics capabilities of humanitarian organizations in large-scale emergencies.
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