Bulletin 45 UNJLC Sudan

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• SUMMARY
• SECURITY
• COMMON NFI PIPELINE/COMMON LOGISTICS AGENCY
• AIR OPERATIONS
• FUEL
• ROAD TRANSPORT AND ACCESS

 

SUMMARY

Darfur is a huge assistance programme.  Even if the operating conditions in Sudan were completely conducive to humanitarian operations the logistics operations would be difficult.  The requirements are massive, distances are great, road conditions poor, and overall commercial public and private logistics infrastructure is weak or non-existent.  As measured by death and malnutrition rates the overall logistics programme of assistance (aided by the robustness of the affected population) has been a moderate success.

The programmes in each of the three states alone are large.  For example, UNHCR's largest refugee programme in Africa is in Tanzania and has 650,000 refugees. Kenya, a long standing UNHCR programme, has 240,000 refugees (UNHCR Global Refugee Trends, 15 Jun 04).   WFP is putting in place an sub-office structure that recognizes the scale of the operations in Darfur.

It is expected over the coming year that logistics in-put needs will increase as food stocks decrease, the high likelihood that additional IDPs/war affected will move to camps/concentration areas, and traditional coping mechanisms of the population are exhausted.  Any number of events such as more security problems on the main roads to Darfur, exceptionally heavy rain season, problems at Port Sudan, significant increase in IDP/affected populations, etc., could have a detrimental affect on logistics operations very quickly.

WFP's current goal is about 1,000 MTs of food assistance per day and this is already scheduled to increase in 2005.  If all 1,000 MTs of food were to come from Port Sudan in 30 MT capacity trucks and with a 15 day cycle time, this would require 500 trucks on the road every single day (WFP's actual operations are bigger and far more complex than this).

The UN appeal for Darfur (OCHA Funding Note 31.01.2005) is USD 691 M, based on 2 M people in need, this is USD 0.95 per day per person. The UN appeal of Chad is USD 183 M, based on 0.2 M people in need, this is USD 2.51 per day per person.  There are of course many problems in comparing costs between programmes even when they are assisting in the same area (level of NGO funding, distances, road conditions, government relations, etc.), but this
does suggest an order of magnitude required if more of the IDPs in Darfur are to receive assistance closer to 'refugee camp' type levels.

The UNJLC is concerned that the overall logistics infrastructure in support of the Darfur emergency is not at the level it needs to be.  This includes light vehicle workshop and spare supply, road repair, fuel supply, NFI air cargo, tracking of NFI assistance (especially outside of the common NFI pipeline), and general logistics support to the NGOs implementing assistance programmes.  The UNJLC is developing further recommendations to the RC/HC/UNCT to expand and improve logistics (particularly non-WFP food) operations in Darfur.

In his report to the Security Council 7 January 05, the Secretary-General said, 'The humanitarian situation in Darfur has not improved since my last report, as the benefits of increased humanitarian aid have been offset by the worsening security situation that has set off another round of displacement and increased the vulnerability of civilians.'

 

SECURITY

Increased banditry is the among the chief stumbling block to the smooth delivery of humanitarian supplies and other support services to Darfur both within state, and state-to-state movements.

S. Darfur: The road between Nyala - Kabum - Mukjar - Garsilla- Zallingi enroute to Geneina, is still being used by commercial and NGOs to go west.  This offers a more secure road route alternative to the Kass - Nertitie - Zallingi but is longer in travel time.

N. Darfur: The road linking Elf to Kuma, Um Kaddadah; Elf to Al Taweisha; Baldanga; Dor to Um Bura and Tina; and Turni to Musbat Wells, to mention few are in accessible due to security.

W. Darfur: Compared to other two Darfur states, access has improved. However, road conditions are worse, and it is difficult to reach by road many IDP settlements during the rainy season.  WFP reports they will implement plans to pre-position food before the rainy season in critical locations.

 

COMMON NFI PIPELINE/COMMON LOGISTICS AGENCY

Agencies are concerned about the impact of the cold weather on IDPs.  The NFI common pipeline is supporting the immediate distribution of a targeted distribution of blankets (and if required, soap and other items) to vulnerable groups such as pregnant and lactating women, elderly, handicapped, malnourished under five children and unaccompanied minors.  The 2005 basic NFI plan is based on three blankets per family; the current plan is to distribute two during regular replacement distributions and the third in Nov/Dec. 

Jebbel Mara and Mershing (supplied from both El Fasher and Nyala) locations are among the areas least supplied with basic NFI. Primarily due to insecurity, distributing agencies have been able to reach a small percentage of the target population. Humanitarian community together with the African Union expects to improve the situation by acquiring access through negotiation with GoS and the rebels.

Nyala : 

In S. Darfur, the sector mainly supported newly arrived IDPs in Kalma camp, and the AU escorted distributions to the Sharia area (conducted by Solidarities). Solidaritie have had their movement hindered, re-arrest of an Agency staff who were accused of assisting SLA in the Sharia area.

According to OCHA/UNJLC estimates, 46 000 households have not received the first allocation of basic NFI.

UNJLC El Fasher will transfer 10,000 Jerry cans to Nyala to augment state stocks.

Incoming International Cargo Flights - Two International flights arrived with 40,000 blankets from USAID.

El Fasher:

Approx 18,900 IDPs living at the suburbs of Abu Shouk camp are still waiting to be relocated to the newly identified camp (Sewalinga). It may take few weeks before the transfer of first group of these IDPs takes place. The lack of water is reported to be the main cause for the delayed relocation.
 
In N. Darfur, UNJLC has sufficient stock of plastic sheeting to meet group's requirements.  Distributions will be conducted in coordination with IRC.

African Union (AU) CivPol posts are expected to be opened on a permanent basis in the new camp. Issues such as the mandate, timeline, relations to HAC, local Police, armed or not, etc., are, however, yet to be agreed upon. This is considered to be a trial-case.

Following actions took place within the past seven days. 

Distributions:

• 850 plastic sheeting were released to the Spanish Red Cross in Abu Shouk (for 1,000 families).
• UNJLC delivered 9,000 blankets, 3,000 jerry cans, 2,550 plastic sheeting and 3,015 (67 packets) kilograms of soap to MSF-Belgium in Kaguro.  This destination is not listed on the stock report and will need to be added (new IDP settlement).  The said population of the camp is 3,000 families and UNJLC is in the process of verifying the figure with OCHA and MSF-Belgium.
• 2,500 blankets were released to the Spanish Red Cross and will be distributed to IDPs in Fata Borno and Kassab camp.  Kassab camp is not on the distribution list either (new IDP settlement).  Also, IDP figures will be verified with the camp management agency and OCHA.
• Delivered 2,500 blankets to OXFAM for Kebkabiya camp.   The Agency originally requested 20,000 blankets, but we put a hold on the delivery as they were going to be distributed to families that had already received two blankets.

El Geneina:
In West Darfur, NFI priorities are as follows:

• Soap and Blanket distribution to selected vulnerable groups (blankets: in response to the cold period).  UNJLC is in the process to transfer 20,000 blankets from El Fasher and 10,000 blankets from Nyala to Geneina.

• Joint assessment to newly identified IDP settlements/arrivals
• Medina Hujaj (700 households); to be covered with NFI distribution on or around 24 Jan 05 by CRS
• Krenik (740 households); to be covered with NFI distribution on or around 24 Jan by SRC
• Abu Sourouge (1200 households); on or around 25 Jan 05 with plastic sheeting distribution by CRS
• Fur Baranga (1200 households); 26 Jan with SC-US or Oxfam

• Locations with previously zero NFI coverage:
• Um Tajuk (2400 households); 24 Jan plastic sheeting and blankets by SRC
• Sanidadi (710 households); to be covered 25 Jan by SRC
• Azerni (962 households); to be covered 25 Jan by SRC
• UNJLC is awaiting from CRS the planning for Batro, Bir Dageeg and Lambo (total 1383 households)

STOCK SITUATION, RECEIVED DURING THE WEEK

Date	Commodity	Qty Received	Source
15 - 17/Jan/2005	Soap	35,829	UNICEF
16-Jan-05	Blankets	20,000	USAID

STOCK LEVELS

NFI Commodities	In stock in Sudan as of Jan 20th, 2005
	El Obeid	El Geneina	Nyala	El Fasher	Total
Blankets	9,000	4,920	36,937	36,000	86,857
Plastic Sheet 4X5M	5,405	0	13,049	19,481	37,935
Jerrycan 10l – 20l	0	25,854	2,217	36,920	64,991
Bucket w. lid, 20l	92,075	49,175	29,905	29,002	200,157
Mosquito Nets	0	1,480	6,755	13,940	22,175
Soap (Kg)	583,727	144,108	99,096	138,870	965,801
Clothing (women’s wraps)	0	37,880	26,693	44,747	109,320
Plastic sleeping mats Ea	0	0	0	7,004	7,004
Sanitary material M	0	0	200	0	200

 

AIR OPERATIONS

This week the delivery of 95,508 kgs of NFI cargo including 25 vehicles, (4 vehicles were moved back to Khartoum) were facilitated. These include:

Six (6) flights went to Geneina, two (2) to El Fasher and four (4) to Nyala - a total of 12 flights.  All flights, except the two to Nyala, (IL76) were carried out by AN 12.

Airport situation (open, closed, under repair). Nyala Airport (7am to 7pm), Airport apron repairs have finished. Some difficulties have occurred with the Airport Security and getting flight clearances, which has mainly been due to the ongoing military activity in South Darfur.

 

FUEL

Nyala:

Jet A1 - The Jet A1 continues to be of short supply but remains stable at  2.63 US$ for an IG.

Helicopters.  The Helicopters (two) are flying at present and they have a limited amount of fuel available in Nyala.  There movement has been more restricted due to security situation to areas that are requiring more humanitarian support. Eg Jebel Mara and Mershing.

Diesel - Despite the other road access problem to South Dafur, Diesel appears to be getting through and prices remain stable. All fuel convoys escorted of course.

Benzene (petrol) - Still remains at a very high price due to the supply restrictions to South Dafur

Below is the weekly fuel price matrix for ease of reference.

FUEL PRICES IN LITRES / DARFUR CRISIS Week 3 (10 - 16 Jan 2005)

	Khartoum		El Fasher		Nyala		El Geneina		El Obeid
	IG	L	IG	L	IG	L	IG	L	IG	L
Diesel	345	76	650	143	750	165	872	192	380	84
Petrol	555	122	850	187	1,050	231	1,500	330	600	132
Kerosene	342	75	700	154	760	167	1,125	247	250	55
JetA1	330	73	864	190	684	150	700	154	268	59

Price in Sudanese Dinar per Imperial Gallon / Litre, NB : 1 IG = 4,546 Litres

Overall, the price and availability of diesel remain good in most of Sudan and the Darfurs.  The availability of Jet-A1 fluctuates in the Darfurs due to insecurity of road and lack of locally refined Jet-A1.  This situation with regard to Jet-A1 maybe compounded by the deployment of additional observers under DPKO support.

 

ROAD TRANSPORT AND ACCESS

Mapping and Road Access assessment:  Road route information is still being updated with new GPS information to HIC. Information from the CARE transport contractors is being gathered to better understand the alternative routes and constraints for goods being sent from El Obeid, particularly in light of the Security situation.

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ABOUT UNJLC
UNJLC is an inter-agency facility reporting, in the current emergency, to the Humanitarian Coordinator for Sudan, 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 are responsible for the administrative and financial management of the Centre. UNJLC is funded from voluntary contributions channeled through WFP. The UNJLC project document for Sudan can be viewed on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org)