Bulletin 34 Indian Ocean Tsunami- Logistics update - 27 April 2005

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Bulletin 34 Indian Ocean Tsunami- Logistics update - 27 April 2005

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INDONESIA

SRI-LANKA

INDONESIA

SECURITY

Following the police report of a clash between TNI and GAM (Free ACEH Movement) in the area 30km North East of JEULAM, the capital of NAGAN RAYA, travel to the district will be authorized only within the limits of JEULAM.
In ACEH JAYA two incidents of clashes between TNI and GAM were reported. One GAM and one civilian were reportedly killed. Heavy presence of TNI has been noted in Lamno city and outskirts. Several TNI checkpoints were set up in LAMNO.
The security situation in NIAS remains unchanged. The main security threats on NIAS remain the potential for looting of food items; and premeditated theft of food and non-food items.
25 April 2005, thefts:

At approximately 14.30hrs, a crowd looted Ken Him ship cargo which was carrying Singaporean Red Cross food items.
At approx. 15hrs, at the old port in NIAS, locals tried to break into WFP-chartered vessel, the LCT Sukses, carrying rice and sardines.
Local police have been placed on guard.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Following the Vice Presidential directive to clear the backlog at Belawan Port MEDAN, a clearing program to move humanitarian containers has commenced. After some initial teething problems, IOM, POSKO, customs and the port authorities have begun to make headway.
TNI reports that over 15 sea containers have been cleared.
Due to slower than anticipated clearance rates, the UNHAS Fokker 27 in MEDAN does not flying time-sensitive cargo.
The effectiveness of the clearing operation has improved dramatically over the past few days.
UNJLC MEDAN reminds the humanitarian community that procedures for clearing of restricted items such as - vehicles, rice and clothing - have not changed.
The SOPs as described on the JLC website remain in effect.
The bottlenecks at SIBOLGA port and GUNUNG SITOLI are now largely resolved. Two UNJLC staff was deployed to NIAS and SIBOLGA Island on 21 April 2005.

One assists OCHA Nias with booking requests (pax/cargo) and prioritization,
The second has reviewed operations in SIBOLGA, in an effort to prevent bottlenecks.

Preliminary port assessments for GUNUNG SITOLI and SIBOLGA are below in the Sea section.

GENERAL

The GoI has authorized 2-week visa extensions to humanitarian workers for operations in ACEH and NORTH SUMATRA provinces. This extension, in addition to the past 30 days extended from 26 March, is to allow the registration of all agencies/organizations in ACEH/NORTH SUMATRA; The GoI will determine the role and responsibilities of each agency/organization in the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.
The Indonesian Government's Master Plan for Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for ACEH was released on 11 April, the implicit contents:

The Executive Agency for the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of ACEH and NORTH SUMATRA was formally inaugurated on 19 April to coordinate the implementation of the Master Plan.
The Vice Chairman of the Agency will be the ACEH Governor, with the Chairman yet to be announced.
It will manage nearly USD 5 billion in reconstruction funds over the next 5 years, award tenders to the private sector for reconstruction work and deal directly with donor countries and agencies.
It will report directly to the President and be fiscally accountable to the Ministry of Finance.

The NORTH SUMATRA Provincial Planning and Development Board (BAPPEDA) are currently working on a budget for reconstruction and rehabilitation.

Planning will be discussed with BAPENAS and BAKORNAS in Jakarta. The budget will cover reconstruction of schools, housing, government building, markets etc. North SUMATRA's appeal to Central Government will be approximately IDR 3- 4 trillion
The presence of UN Agencies and International NGOs is still needed especially during the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase.

Continuing seismic activity and the propensity for natural disasters is the impetus for UN agencies drafting an emergency response document, including details of stockpiling. Contingency planning for immediate response and communications in an emergency is a work-in-progress. OCHA is working with UNICEF to prepare a draft for circulation between the UNCT and key NGOs for discussion. The RC/HC proposed to rename the exercise and subsequent product, Emergency Response Plan.
Rolf Bakken, acting Humanitarian Coordinator for NIAS left on 23 April 2005. The new head of OCHA for NIAS is Mr. Rajan Gengaje who arrived on 24 April 2005.
UNJLC Indonesia conducted its first Country Retreat for the Indian Ocean Tsunami on April 23-24. The purposes of the retreat were: to establish organizational structures consistent with the changing dynamic of the humanitarian response to the Tsunami of 26 December and the March 28 earthquake; and, identify best practices / lessons learnt from the UNJLC mission to date.

MILITARY AND BILATERAL SUPPORT

USS Mercy has announced they are phasing down their healthcare program. They plan to give a final report to the local authorities on the 29 April before departure on 30 April.
" Subsequent to the departure of the Singaporean Air force Chinooks and the Governor of NORTH SUMATRA's request for replacement with TNI helis, TNI reports that they have 5 TNI helicopters supporting the NIAS operation.
" TNI has reported 5 sea vessels supporting the NIAS operation.
" TNI personnel placed in NIAS for the Humanitarian operation totals 1,088; they are also tasked to assist with food distribution in the isolated areas in the south.

LAND

On 17 April, the west coast BANDA ACEH - LAMNO road was assessed by WFP.

WFP mission recommendation - the road be used as a corridor alternative to air delivery.
The road is reliable for vehicles with a gross weight of no more than 20 MT
Assessed as safe for daylight travel.

In NIAS, Department of Public Work information:

GUNUNG SITOLI - Idano Mazoi road is accessible by car.
GUNUNG SITOLI - TELUK DALAM road is accessible by heavy vehicles.
TNI engineers are repairing the Idamo Muzoi - Miga road.
TNI is still working on bridge rehabilitation and installed a cover dam in a number of bridges from GUNUNG SITOLI to TELUK DALAM.

IOM reports that they have 50 trucks supporting operations on the island and an average of 15 trucks departing for NIAS every two days.

SEA

PORTS: UNJLC has made contact with the Head of PT Pelindo SIBOLGA (the ports authority) on 23-24 April 2005 and have made an initial assessment of the ports facilities as outlined below.
The first port called Samudra Sambas:

Main problem is the small size of the port.
Length of jetty for passenger ferry 150m, depth 15 m.
Length of jetty for cargo ship 300m, depth 15m
No warehouse facility
No Forklift or crane
WFP and IOM are using this port

The second port is called Pondok Batu (Indonesian Fisheries Department).

This can serve as an alternate port, however the location is more difficult to access being located 4 km away from SIBOLGA and the connecting road is poor.
Length of jetty for passenger ferry 300m, depth 4 m.
It is possible to rent this port.
No warehouse facility
No Forklift or crane
Pertamina Gasoline facility for boats is available.

The third port, called the 'old port' is owned by a private company and is located near downtown of SIBOLGA. Merlin has used this port to send aid to NIAS.

UNJLC through contact with the Marketing Manager reports that it is possible to rent it.
Length of jetty for passenger ferry 100m, depth 5-6 m.
A warehouse facility is available.
There is large tract of land which can be used for warehouses

PORTS: UNJLC has made an initial assessment of the seaport in GUNUNG SITOLIi, and concurrently made a contact with the harbour authority.

Port specification: Jetty 60m length, 11 meter deep. Built in 1984. Jetty condition is noted as ''not good.''
Routine schedule: 2 wooden ships, 1 ferry for passenger and cargo. Ferry can carry 300 pax while wooden ships can carry 200pax.

The 3 ships depart nightly between 2000hrs and 2100hrs to SIBOLGA - duration 9 hours.
No stevedoring available on Sunday. Ship can enter Sundays, and it is possible to use own stevedoring to unload cargo.
1 Warehouse facility at the NIAS port.
Temporary warehouses can be erected in port area - arrangement can be made with PT Pelindo.
For handing increasing transit of food, WFP is in discussion with shipping agent, Samudera, to reopen its office in MALAHAYATI and SIBOLGA.
On 21 April, Atlas Logistique sent two fishing boats: One carried trucks from Lampulo port to Calang; the second carried MSF Holland to Meulaboh.
On 24 April 2005, LCT Sukses (WFP) carrying 300ton of rice arrived in from MALAHAYATI port.
On 25 April 2005 at 0600hrs, LCT Reulina carrying 5 IOM trucks arrived in NIAS from SIBOLGA.
25 April 2005, around morning hours TNI came to LCT Sukses. TNI, reportedly acting on instruction from SATKORLAK, suggested that the vessel unload in the new port instead of at the old port. Last Thursday (April 21) UNJLC met with the head of PT Pelindo in the new port - it is preferred that LCT berth and discharge at the old port as the unload process will be faster and spaces will be freed for other ships at the new port.
L/C Labitra Reulina arrived in SIBOLGA port on 21 April to start rotation of humanitarian cargo between SIBOLGA and GUNUNG SITOLI from 24 April to 30 April. To date, 24 April two deliveries had been made, 250 Mt of mixed food commodities and 28 trucks of humanitarian cargo were transferred to GUNUNG SITOLI, .
Due to bad weather in SIMEULUE the discharge from L/C Labitra Hanny was slow. Approximately 330 MT of mixed food commodities was delivered by the ship, and directly dispatched to CARE. The heavy rains also delayed preparation of a site for rub hall construction.
Ferry traffic in SIBOLGA is back to normal but another temporary bottleneck is expected with the arrival of humanitarian cargo now being released from Belawan port.
" WFP has 4 landing craft (LCT) and 1 cargo ship operating to support the operation
" IOM has one small cargo ship (10T) supporting NIAS operations.
" LCT LABITRA HANNY arrived on the 19 April in Calang and on 20 April in SINABANG. The vessel was still discharging in SINABANG as of 23 April 05.
LCT LABITRA REULINA is awaiting cargo in SIBOLGA.
LCT SUSKSES 3 is estimated to arrive in GUNUNG SITOLI by 23 April.
LCT TRANSINDO discharging in CALANG, sailed 22 April, now anchored off MALAHAYATI waiting for order.
M/V MULTI SARANA started loading in Belawan sea port on 20 April for MALAHAYATI and NIAS Island.
As of Saturday, 23 April, the KM Batavia was available for loading aid supplies bound for NIAS, SIMEULUE and ACEH coast. The ship will complete its Aus Aid charter in NIAS and then continue on medical missions up the coast.
Agencies should be aware that the ship is not providing a free door-to-door delivery service, but rather a platform for efficient aid distribution to remote and isolated communities. Call Rick on 08126627884

AIR

Current UNHAS air assets:
2 x Puma (based in BANDA ACEH)
1 x puma is on maintenance in Kuala Lumpur
4 x Mi-8 (1 based in SIBOLGA for NIAS operations, 3 based in BANDA ACEH)
2 x Twin Otter (one in MEDAN, one in BANDA ACEH) a third, to be based at MEDAN to serve NIAS is expected soon.
1 x Fokker 27 (for cargo ex. MEDAN - NIAS /BANDA ACEH available until 29 April)
UNJLC MEDAN reports that containers of backlogged goods from Belawan Port are being cleared slowly and hence the UNHAS Fokker 27 in MEDAN has not been utilized for flying time-sensitive cargo.
It is hoped that the initial coordination problems will soon be resolved and the aircraft will have the time-sensitive cargo it requires.
UNJLC-MEDAN staffs are assisting POSKO in reviewing the prioritization of goods for air lift and endeavoring to improve the coordination of flights to maximize the flow of goods from MEDAN to NIAS.
UNHAS continues with passenger flights from SIBOLGA to NIAS 3 times per week (Tue, Thurs and Sat).
Due to increasing demand for travel on the route between MEULABOH to CALANG, UNHAS reviewed its schedule between CALANG-MEULABOH: now available three times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays).
The Passenger Manifest system for UNHAS flights is beginning to function well: passengers have started to use passenger movement request forms for seats. (available at the OCHA NIAS office or at http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/28253)
Owing to storm activity, there was no UNHAS flight to MEDAN (via MEULABOH) on 24 April.
Air Service has ceased operations in NIAS.
The original plan to bring a light helicopter (BO105) on NIAS has been put on hold as both WFP and UNICEF have indicated that demand for air cargo is decreasing. Currently approximately 60 MT of cargo remains to be airlifted.
As of April 21, UNJLC BANDA ACEH has deployed two national staff to NIAS in order to support the users group and prioritization. It is estimated that they will return to BANDA ACEH on 28 April. UNHAS is now in charge of air operations for SIBOLGA and NIAS. For the latest UNHAS air schedules, booking procedures, landing sites etc see http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/28253.

Fuel

On hand in NIAS on 26 April:
2600L Jet A1 purchased from Pertamina.
2600L of water contaminated Jet A1 fuel (13 barrels x 200L Jet A1 that were shipped from MEULABOH).

Fuel on NIAS remains a daily challenge. NIAS (Binaka airport) requires an 18,000L bowser with Jet A1 and 7000L're-fueler' stationed at the GUNUNG SITOLI airport to support helicopter and light aircraft.

Contractual matters regarding the bowser are under discussion.

The fuel farm in Meulaboh is fully operational. It has a capacity of 90,000L Jet A1 and can service helicopters and small fixed wing a/c. The farm is being operated by Pertamina under standard commercial terms.

On hand in Meulaboh at the Pertamina run fuel farm on 25 April: 59235L Jet A1

WAREHOUSE

Given fair weather, WFP plans to erect Rubb Halls in SIMUELEU during this coming week.

GEOGRAPHIC HUBS - BANDA ACEH, MEDAN, NIAS, SIBOLGA etc.

Simeulue

A WFP vessel arrived Wednesday the 20 April, carrying 360 MT of food. Warehousing for food items continues to be a problem due to existing buildings being structurally unsafe. WFP will be constructing Rub halls early next week for warehousing in the new port area of Kolok Baru.

Nias

Four weeks after the 28 March earthquake electricity has been restored to small areas of the island, however, four districts : ALASA, LAHEWA, LOTU, LOLOFITU MOI remain without power. In the south of NIAS, all districts are without electricity supply except for the government offices.
The national electricity company (PLN) has sent a 1.000 Kw generator to be installed 4 kilometers from the centre of TELUK DALAM. It is expected to be operational in the coming days.
WFP is concerned with the condition of the road and bridge network in NIAS which is in imminent danger of collapse. It is therefore proceeding with the sourcing and delivery of bailey bridges to the governmental authorities in the effected area.
Government of North SUMATRA has chosen to handle the entire operation of reception (probably at Belawan port) and installation of the bailey bridges in the appropriate locations in NIAS.
Banda Aceh
There have been 2 consignments of bridges for ACEH since the tsunami. The first consignment of NATO bridges supervised by the Royal Netherlands Army arrived Friday 15 Apr 05 at Malayajati port. ( 30 x 20' ISO containers and a large amount of break-bulk cargo) TNI took delivery of the bridges at the quay side.
The second consignment of DFID bridges is yet to be delivered.

Medan

UNJLC MEDAN reports that since the 28 March earthquake residents around the TOBA Lake area are reported to be living in fear by the local press. This is due to the activity of the volcanic Mount Pusuk Buhit. A number of roads around the lake were cracked by the last earthquake.

Singkil

Nothing further to report

Mentawai/Siberut

Nothing further to report

Sibolga

Nothing further to report

MEETINGS

0830 hrs daily coordination meetings - Chaired by OCHA MEDAN with a core group of UN agencies, JLC and large NGOs.
1000hrs at POSKO - second coordination meeting with the wider humanitarian community. Logistics issues are discussed in detail at these times.
Banda Aceh Tuesdays 8.30am - weekly interagency logistics coordination meetings held at the WFP tent.

SRI-LANKA

AIR OPERATIONS

UNHAS will depart Sri Lanka on 30 April.
Flight schedules, contacts and prices of domestic airlines are presented in the Air Operation section of the unjlc website: http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/29411

CUSTOMS

The customs rules in effect prior to the tsunami were to be re-introduced on 26 April. Whether the pre-tsunami rules will apply after 26 April has yet to be officially confirmed by the relevant authorities. Under those rules relief commodities except building material would be subject to duties and taxes.
In addition to its demurrage waiver granted by the SLPA for consignments stored at the Colombo Port, UNHCR has been granted a similar waiver from the Ministry of RRR for its consignments stored at the South Asia Gateway Terminal, a private container yard owned by John Keells.

STORAGE

UNHCR has storage space available in Batticaloa. However, space for shelter and construction material is not available at this juncture.
WHO is seeking storage space in Colombo.

LOGISTICS COORDINATION

UNJLC will conclude its operation in Sri Lanka on 30 April. The inter-agency logistics meetings thus far hosted and chaired by UNJLC every Thursday will as of 3 May be hosted weekly by UNHCR on Tuesdays at 9.30 AM. The meetings will be held in the UNHCR Conference Room, 97 Rosmead Place, Colombo 7.

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)

Source

Logistics Cluster

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