Bulletin 46 - Logistic Update/May 4th - May 10th 2006

Content

Summary and Highlights

Days since October 8th Earthquake:214

• UNJLC continues to map the status of tertiary roads which are important for reaching settlements, and is looking for an agency to take over road mapping and reporting at the end of its operation.

• The population of 17 villages in the area of Muzaffarabad may be moved to camps as the area in which the villages are located is prone to seismic activity. This would bring the number of IDPs in Muzaffarabad up to approximately 70,000.

• The UN base camp in Bagh will be retained for a further three months until August 15th.

 
Contents

1.    Road Access
2.    IDP Returns
3.    UN Base Camps
4.    UNJLC Bagh
5.    Aviation Update: Helicopter Status

1. Road Access

All primary roads remain open with the exception of the route to Kaghan Valley. The majority of secondary roads are open as well. However, the status of tertiary roads which are important for reaching many settlements remains partially unknown and many are blocked. UNJLC continues to map these roads. In the Batagram area access to the Naran Valley remains blocked and the Pakistan Military estimates that road clearance will take another month. The status of roads in the Kaghan valley, in particular between Paras and Jared, changes daily due to the high potential for landslides. In the Neelum Valley, the condition of some bailey bridges appears to be deteriorating. The local authorities have recognized this problem as a priority, and UNJLC has planned a mission to assess the condition of the bridges. The road between Bagh and Bir Pani is open but remains dangerous in places and caution is advised.

UNJLC continues to collect data on road conditions and is seeking ways of handing over this data in coordination with HIC and the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA). UNJLC is seeking to identify an agency to take over road mapping and reporting when its operation ends at the end of June. UNJLC road assessments, conditions updates and maps can be found at ->Roadconditions.

2. IDP Returns

Returns in the Mansehra and Bagh areas are nearing completion apart from the residual caseload. In Bagh, no decision has been taken yet on the designation of a residual camp. Only the areas of Bedhi and Azad Bara remain difficult to access. In the Mansehra area, IOM is currently returning 150 families per day from spontaneous camps and host families. UNJLC, UNDSS and OCHA are assisting IOM in this process. The three Mansehra residual camps (Kashtra, Meira and Siran Sialkot) are to be handed over from the Pakistan Military to the local administration on May 15th. Balakot is due to be rebuilt within two to three years in the Bakarial area which is halfway between Mansehra and Shinkiari on the east side of the Karakoram Highway. Meanwhile compensation payments are to be used to build transitional houses on current sites in Balakot.

In the area of Muzaffarabad 17 villages located in areas susceptible to seismic activity have been identified. Therefore 30,000 to 40,000 people will possibly need to be moved into camps that may last throughout the winter. This would bring the caseload of IDPs in Muzaffarabad to 70,000 and would mean a need for additional NFI and transitional shelter solutions. The current plan is to move residual IDPs from Islamabad to Muzaffarabad or Mansehra.

3. UN Base Camps

WFP has announced that the UN base camp in Bagh will be extended for three months until August 15th to allow agencies more time to find alternative office space and accommodation. The camp in Batagram is scheduled to close May 15th. UNICEF is taking over the site to set up offices. In Muzaffarabad, the UN base camp will close on June 15th.

4. UNJLC Bagh

Reconstruction work in the Bagh area is largely pending the approval of reconstruction plans by ERRA. Many locals and NGOs are still concentrating on rubble removal. The warehouses are currently full and cargo is being stored outside. This may in part be due to the transition from relief to recovery which has slowed down operations. A fourth temporary warehouse is to be established to address the problem.

A significant amount of the caseload of IDPs from Azad Bara is at present unable to return due to accessibility problems. Discussions with civil and military authorities are underway to facilitate their return at a suitable time. The logistics support needed for that return will be assessed in light of the outcome of these discussions.

A variety of food is available in shops in Bagh. There is also no shortage of construction materials, though prices appear to be higher than in other hubs. However, NGOs are expected to buy their construction materials from manufacturers in larger cities. A matrix has been established to record the prices of skilled labour and construction materials. For more information, contact UNJLC Bagh.

5. Aviation Update: Helicopter Status

Helicopter capacity has decreased this week with the end of the ICRC air operation May 10th, and the redeployment of the two Squirrels operating for MSF Holland.

As previously reported, UNHAS plans to cease its helicopter operations for both cargo movement and passengers by May 31st. UNJLC and UNHAS welcome information from users of the passenger service on their projected alternatives after May 31st. This information can be forwarded to Islamabad.unhas@wfp.org. The UNHAS passenger schedule and booking procedures can be found at ->UNHAS booking procedures.