Bulletin 31 Indian Ocean Tsunami- Logistics update - 5 April 2005

Content

Bulletin 31 Indian Ocean Tsunami- Logistics update - 5 April 2005

Download the document in pdf

• INDONESIA
• CRITICAL
• GENERAL
• MILITARY AND BILATERAL SUPPORT
• LAND
• SEA
• AIR
• SRI LANKA
• AIRPORT STATUS
• PORT STATUS
• CUSTOMS
• TRANSPORT TRUCKING
• AIR OPERATIONS
• Trincomalee Logistical Assets

INDONESIA

In light of the earthquake of magnitude 8.2-8.7 on 28 March, this UNJLC Indonesia Sitrep is not intended to cover the latest information on the Nias / Simeulue situation. 

• For the information regarding the earthquake of 28 March centering on Nias, Simeulue and Banyak, UNJLC EARTHQUAKE SITREPS will be issued on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY.  On other days URGENT logistics information will be issued via FLASH BULLETINS.
• As of 11 April, it is anticipated that the SITREPs will reflect the overall situation of the two events (December 26 and March 28) and reporting content and frequency will be reviewed.
• In anticipation of more orderly distribution of the UNJLC Sitrep/Bulletin via a singular email address, we recommend referring to the UNJLC website before 11 April and subscribing to the: IOT BULLETIN

CRITICAL

• Medan-Meulaboh road open to 20MT trucks following TNI/Public Works repairs
• Fuel farm in Meulaboh is expected to be pumping fuel by Monday 11April.

GENERAL

• WFP Total Assessed Caseload: 790,000
  Total Number of WFP Beneficiaries: 590,570*
  Total Cumulative Dispatch (MT): 30,140 mt**
  Total Dispatch over Reporting Period (MT): 3,059 mt**
• *The figure is for the general food distribution under WFP's on-going emergency response to tsunami in December 2004.  It does not include new caseload of the North Sumatra earthquake, nor beneficiaries of school feeding programme commenced 1 April.
• The current beneficiary figure is 590,570, which requires some 9,400 MT of food commodities, including rice, fortified noodles, biscuits, canned fish and vegetable oil per month.  
•  For the total 200,000 across Nias, Simeulue and Banyak: estimated food commodity tonnage of 3200MT per month is anticipated and in planning stages. 
•  Due to the obvious greater needs in Nias and Simeuleu, the Scandinavian Support Team currently deployed in Meulaboh are awaiting approval from the Swedish government to redeploy to Nias to support the humanitarian actors post March 28.
• UNJLC was approached by the UNFAO on 31 March to assist with planning for recovery and reconstruction logistics.  Specifically, to staff a logistics team, to locate warehouses and distribute more than 1.5 million tons of equipment, seeds, fertilizer for the recovery and reconstruction. 
• In this capacity, UNJLC have discussed alternate options to manage the logistics, decided with FAO on the most appropriate solutions, assisted with the identification of suitable staff, warehousing locations, etc.
• Suitable logistics staff has been identified within 3 days and are scheduled for interviews within the week by FAO.
• UNJLC staffs are available and willing to assist other agencies, international organizations and NGOs as required with such logistics planning and associated support.

MILITARY AND BILATERAL SUPPORT

• Foreign military aircraft have returned to the scene.  Requirements for their use should continue to be channeled through UNJLC using the established procedures and documentation (see link to cargo and pax application forms). 
• The provisional Types/Nations/Dispositions are as follows:
• Australian Air Force C130 x 2 operating through Jakarta Halim and providing airlift to Sibolga.  Tasked by the TNI but UNJLC has bid successfully for capacity on these aircraft.
• Australian Navy Sea King Helicopter x 2 or 3 based at sea in Nias area.
• Malaysian C130 x 1 thought to be operating from Subang (Malaysia)
• Singapore Chinook x 3 based at Medan; one detached to Banda Aceh.  Operating a total of 6 sorties a day and tasked by the TNI.
• Singapore C130 x 1 based in Singapore
• TNI - large number of troops deployed (>1000) plus C-130s and helis
• It is anticipated that the military medical corps will assume much of the medivac/medical emergency activities previously being carried out by TNI and humanitarian actors.

LAND

• The L-300 is the only kind of public transportation company that still goes to Meulaboh from Banda Aceh after 28 March earthquake. This Mitsubishi van vehicle type uses alternative route via Sigli- Beureunun- Tangse- Geumpang-Tutut to reach Meulaboh.  The condition of the road is narrow, in poor condition.  One section of the road is not asphalted (Geumpang to Tutut) and is only traversable by vehicles of less than 5MT. 
• NB: It should be noted that between Geumpang and Meulaboh there are 5 TNI posts.
• One more UNJLC logistics' staff for land transport/vehicles has been deployed to Nias for one week.  UNJLC staff deployed to Nias - TOTAL:  5
• IOM's land convoys are touted as a common service for land routes.  Not only for the Earthquake response needs of humanitarian community but also for the humanitarian community's cargo movement requirements for the recovery and reconstruction needs for the post-26 December Tsunami affected areas.
• IOM is doing an outstanding job of supporting and coordinating all land transport from Medan to Sibolga as well as its continuing convoys to Lhokseumawe, Banda Aceh, Pidie and Bireuen.
• As of 5 April 2005, the road from Medan to Meulaboh is now open for trucks up to 20 Tons.

SEA

• In Banda Aceh on Tuesday 5th the UNJLC Interagency Logs focused on NGO/IO needs and the UNJLC website Humanitarian actors are encouraged to tell JLC what are their regular logs, planning, cargo or their projection for the next 3 months.
• Discussion ensued regarding setup of joint transportation for cargo.
• For example, as has been the case in Nias and Simeulue, UNJLC could arrange to get one big vessel to carry cargo from all NGOs.  Those interested in participating are welcome to JLC to discuss further.  Contact: Mike Whiting  0811987365
• Atlas Logistique have carried a 7-ton vehicle via fishing boat to Calang. 
• Other NGOs who are intending to carry their vehicles to Calang can use this service. They also have rental car service in Calang.
• It is also possible move cargo/vehicles to Meulaboh also, if there is a feasible location to offload the car.  Contact: 
• Atlas Logistique expects to set up a regular route Banda Aceh- Simeulue Island within weeks.
• In Banda Aceh, the loading & off-loading rates (turn around time) in Port Malahayati has reached a new record: 483 MT of cargo (warehouse to vessel), 183MT was the previous record handling total. 
• In Simeulue Island there is a new beach area that was designed for a fuel terminal, but has yet to be used and it would reported serve as an ideal place for a logs base.  An LCT could land and there is room for a rub hall (maybe two).  The team will speak with local authorities tomorrow to see if they can get permission to use this area. Exact location of the beach is not yet confirmed.
• WFP's M/V Kimtrans is in Lhokseumawe discharging 1,800 MT of rice and the balance of 201 MT of canned fish. This will be completed by 5 April and the vessel returned to the owners in Singapore.
• L/C Labitra Reulina with 300 MT of mixed food commodities and a rubbhall reached Gunung Sitoli on 1 April. The commodities were offloaded in Gunung Sitoli and Teluk Dalam, in a southern town of Nias. The balance of load will be carried to Simuelue.
• Landing craft Sukses 3 is now in Meulaboh, loading some 350 MT of mixed food commodities for Lahewa, a northern coastal town on Nias. Non food items including 1 pick-up truck, 35 rolls of plastic sheets and 15 rolls of blankets will also be loaded.
• M/V Multi Sarana is currently offloading in Malahayati, Aceh Besar. Further transport of food to Nias and Simuelue will be coordinated from Banda Aceh.

AIR

• Overall control of humanitarian operations for Nias is from Medan because Nias lies within the Governor of North Sumatra's area of responsibility.  Banda Aceh continues to exercise control of operations in Aceh Province which includes Simeulue. 
• Previous UNHAS ( UNJLC booked) scheduled services have been disrupted and it may be necessary to procure additional airlift capacity in order to cope with the new demand and restore previous levels of service (see the Air Operations Section below and the Air Ops Bulletin at http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/28253.
• However, it is important that users continue to use the published procedures for passengers and cargo. 
• Those who attempt "shortcuts" are likely to find that they will move rather less quickly.
• The earthquake of 28 Mar has created new demands on the humanitarian air community. Initially, lack of fuel at Meulaboh limited the ability of our aircraft to reach the new disaster area with full payloads. 
• This hurdle has now been overcome and the focal point for delivery of airlifted passengers and cargo has moved to Nias Island. 
• UNJLC/UNHAS have established a presence at Sibolga airport which serves as a forward operating base and for the time being is the nearest source of fuel.
• Simeulue Island, which is not thought to be so badly affected, is also receiving daily flights. 
• The UN fleet currently lacks fixed wing cargo aircraft other than the Twin Otters whose capacity is limited.
• Although operations have continued, periods of rainy weather have hampered all activities particularly on the ground. 
• More detailed information regarding aircraft available to the UN and air activity at the airports of Medan, Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, Sibolga, Nias, and Simeulue can be found in the Air Operations Section at http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/28253.
• UNJLC are pleased that Garuda Indonesia has agreed to extend their almost-free service from 1 April until 30 June 2005 subject to an upper limit of 5 tons per month. (http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/32074).
• In response to the earthquake of 28 March, the Medan based Twin Otter was assigned to facilitate the operation in Nias while the Banda Aceh based Twin Otter in Simeulue. Priority was given to medical staff and essential items such as medical/telecommunications equipments. To date, UNHAS has transported some 300 serious injured from Nias island. 
• UNJLC Air Ops and UNHAS report the following statistics ex. Medan:
• Total number of passenger carried by UNHAS/UNJLC flight up to 02 April 2005 5,598pax.  No show pax 11%, an indicator of improved agency adherence to procedures AND the increased demand on services following the earthquake of 28 March.
• Total number of cargo carried by UNHAS/UNJLC flights up to 02 April 2005, 691,839 kgs.
• Total number of flights by UNHAS/UNJLC flight up to 02 April 2005 1,228 times.

SRI LANKA

AIRPORT STATUS

• The Sri Lanka Airport Authority (SLAA9 has informed UNJLC that as of today (5 April) it will extinguish all expired food items in store at the warehouse for humanitarian relief cargo. The bulk of these food items, approximately 3 tons, were imported by private donors but weren't cleared by customs.
• Currently 40 tons of relief cargo are stored in the Sri Lanka cargo warehouse and 15 additional tons in the warehouse for relief cargo, some of which have not been collected for up to two months. Of those stored in the warehouse for relief goods 12 shipments belong to I/NGOs and three to the Government. The SLAA has informed UNJLC that it will hand over all cargo, which is not collected by the end of the week to the Department of Social Services. 

PORT STATUS

• The Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) has granted UNHCR a demurrage waiver for its consignments stored at the port. Earlier UNICEF and World Vision had acquired a waiver. A general policy on the basis of which a decision to grant demurrage is made is not in place.
• Approximately 280 containers of cargo are yet to be cleared from the Colombo port at the moment. Out of those 30 belong to UN agencies, 12 to I/NGOs and the rest to the Government.

CUSTOMS

• The Ministry of Finance and Planning has announced the issuance of a new circular on the import of vehicles within a short while.
• A new customs clearance and inspection arrangement between UNICEF and Sri Lanka Customs and Navy has sped up the clearance of UNICEF relief commodities. Under this arrangement containers belonging to UNICEF are inspected at UNICEF warehouses. UNICEF provides for the transportation of Navy and Customs officers to and from the warehouses. 58 containers belonging to UNICEF were released under this arrangement recently. The process of clearing additional 28 containers is already underway.
  STORAGE

UNHCR current storage capacity is reflected in the table below:

TRANSPORT TRUCKING

• Three trucks with water tanks belonging to World Vision arrived at the BIA on 5 April. This brings the total of WV trucks equipped with water tanks in the country to twelve.
• UNHCR trucks transporting commodities for WHO have faced some hurdles in crossing districts in the northeast due to the lack of clearance from the MoD for the transportation of specific commodities like generators, cement and other building material. UNJLC is looking into the process through which a clearance from the Ministry is acquired. A list of items requiring clearance from the MoD needs to be obtained.
• A comprehensive transport assessment carried out by UNJLC is available to agencies in hard copies upon request.

AIR OPERATIONS

UNHAS will remain the focal point for allotting seats to UN and I/NGO staff on the aircraft of the Italian Civil Protection Team until 15 May. The aircraft can carry six passengers and seats are provided on space availability basis. There is no fixed flight schedule. UNHAS is still awaiting a confirmation from SL MOFA on the current procedures for authorizing UN/NGO passengers to fly with the Italian aircraft.

Trincomalee Logistical Assets

Trinco Port

In spite of the fact that Trincomalee port is well equipped to receive relief commodities relief actors are still not utilizing its facilities. The port, which is naturally deep, has the following facilities:

• A Jetty (Ashraf) whose LOA is 250 m and draft of 12.5 m.
• There are three warehouses at the port:
• WH 6 > 24,381 sq.feet
• WH 4 > 17,860 sq.feet
• The third warehouse is a small one, i.e. 4,500 sq.feet
• Navigational equipment: Two tug boats and three launchers
  Railway Cargo Transport
  The option of transporting cargo from Colombo to Trincomalee by railways is also under-utilised in spite of the following advantages:
• Train rates are cheaper on average than trucking rates
• Cargo rates can easily be obtained from the Colombo Railway Station on demand
• A train is operated on a daily basis between Colombo and Trincomalee
• The Trincomalee railway station has a warehouse of about 150 square metres which can be used for temporary storage.

ABOUT UNJLC
UNJLC is an inter-agency facility reporting during an emergency to the Humanitarian Coordinator and overall to the Inter-Agency Standing Committee. Its mandate is to coordinate and optimize the logistics capabilities of humanitarian organizations in large-scale emergencies. UNJLC operates under the custodianship of WFP who is responsible for the administrative and financial management of the Centre. UNJLC is funded from voluntary contributions channeled through WFP. More information on UNJLC in general and on the South Asia operation can be viewed on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).