Summary
Content
- SUMMARY
- SECURITY
- COMMON NFI PIPELINE/COMMON LOGISTICS AGENCY
- AIR OPERATIONS
- SURFACE TRANSPORT
- FUEL
- LOGISTICS ASSESSMENT
- TAX IMPROPRIETY ON THE PART OF GoS:
- OTHER
SUMMARY
OCHA/UNJLC and donors reviewed pre-rainy season NFI pipeline gaps. Only 30% of the "first tier" NFI commodities appealed for 2005 have been received and will compromise stock management and distribution objectives which are, to raise stock levels to 75% before the onset of rains (June-July) and to secure the remaining 25% before September 2005. Unless additional funds or donations in kind are received these objectives will not be met. See more on NFIs at para. 3 below.
Major NFI pipeline Reporting: The first consignment of internationally procured NFI (75,600 blankets) arrived at Port Sudan and is being custom cleared. IOM contributed 25,000 blankets, 10,000 jerry cans and 10,000 cooking pots to the Common Pipeline stock.
Air Operations carried out seven flights, delivering 59.5 MT (15 vehicles). 11 additional flights are scheduled to reduce cargo and vehicle backlog. Loud explosions were reported in western Juba and suspected to have originated from an ammunition dump.
Surface transport succeeded with delivery of approximately 33.1 MT of supplies and equipment to El Geneina and Nyala. Elsewhere, a cross border assessment was undertaken to Chad to evaluate surface transport from Libya to Abeche.
SECURITY
North Darfur. A clearly marked UN Helicopter has, for the second time in week, come under ground fire. The first incident took place 30km east of Nyala (South Darfur) las week. This time, the aircraft was over flying between Mellit and Malha. (non-GoS controlled territory) when it came under attack.
UN staff movement and flights to Juba were suspended on 23/2/05 and 24/2/05 respectively. An airstrip condition report is pending.
In correction of Bulletin No. 49 report on cessation of helicopter operations the report should have read as follows:
"Security Situation - Darfur: WFP Security Officer, Thomas D. was present at the meeting and briefed the members of the last incident involving the shooting at the UN helicopter 48 Nm NE of El Fasher. Flights are still not authorized to affected area awaiting review and implementation of new procedures for ensuring safety of UN assets and occupants. It was confirmed that airspace around main airports is secure, so no special landing movements are necessary. It was agreed that weekly security briefs would be conducted by WFP security for WFP air operators and WFP air ops, these meeting will be every Sunday at 18:00 in the CATO office."
COMMON NFI PIPELINE/COMMON LOGISTICS AGENCY
First consignment of 2005 internationally procured NFIs (75,600 pieces of blankets) arrived this week at Post Sudan. These are currently under customs clearance. The clearance process may take from two to three weeks.
In an effort to improve pipeline status of NFIs, and in order to ensure the correct commodities are available for distribution at the right time (i.e. plastic sheeting and blankets before raining season, mosquito nets immediately after the rains, etc.), UNJLC shared with donors a summary gaps analysis report. Among other things, the report underscores immediate needs - pledges versus requirement. Thus far 30% of the 2005 requirement (opening stock as of Jan. 1st, 2005, received and in en-route/pipeline) has been resourced. The aim is to bring stock levels to 75% before the onset of the raining season. In monetary terms this totals US $11.4m to bridge this immediate gap. This being the material and transport costs.
The remaining 25% will be required before September 2005 to get stocks into the country and available for distribution in time. Primarily, this is because 25% of the 2004 NFI distributions were undertaken last quarter of the year - Oct through to December. These beneficiaries would ideally receive their replacement stocks the same period as last year.
Though the pipeline situation is expected to improve, the Khartoum based shelter/NFI-working group decided that until the current NFI shortfall is addressed, existing resources will ONLY be allocated to newly displaced IDPs and those who did not receive NFI in 2004.
IOM has pledged to contribute to the common-NFI-pipeline 25,000 items of blankets, 10,000 units of jerry cans, and 10,000 cooking pots.
North Darfur:
A total of 390 plastic sheets, and 1,485 kgs of soap were distributed in Kebkebia (MSF/B); Zan Zam Camp and Abu Shouk (CHF Int.); Abu Shouk (ACF); Kebkebia town (RI); and Bishiria (GRP) during the week.
UNJLC/CARE assisted OXFAM, under the Surface Transport Agreement, with the delivery of NFIs to Birka Seira (equivalent to 3,500 households), Tawila (equivalent to 3,000 households) and Kebkebia (equivalent to 8,000).
South Darfur:
A number of NFI distributions were actioned and coordinated over the past week but consisted of mainly soap with food distributions. They include:
Zellingi: UNJLC/CARE delivered 5,000 jerry cans, 5,000 buckets with lids, and 30,015 bars of soap to Mercy Corps in Zellingi. These NFIs are for new arrivals that have come from Hassa Hissa & Hamadia Camp.
Al Malaam: UNJLC/CARE delivered 290 pieces of plastic sheeting, 600 blankets, 289 jerry cans, 289 buckets with lids, 1,485 bars of soap and 300 pieces of woman's clothing to Samaritan's Purse for distribution.
Nyala Town: UNJLC/CARE delivered 30,105 bars of soap and 240 blankets to ACF for distribution in Nyala Town and will be used for supplementary feeding centers.
Sanya Fundua: UNJLC delivered 10,035 bars of soap and 260 blankets to ACF for distribution in Sanya Fundua and will be used for supplementary feeding centers.
West Darfur:
UNJLC issued to Islamic Relief Worldwide monthly soap ration for 1,012 households in Krinding II, El Geneina locality.
Planned distributions:
Tearfund to conduct monthly distribution of 38,300 pieces of soap to Child Health Clubs in Dorti, Ardamata and Masteri in the Geneina locality, and Beida, Arrara and Congo Haraza in the Habilla locality.
NFI priorities for West Darfur are;
- NGO emergency Blankets/Soap distribution:
Oxfam have a further 9,500 blankets en route to Geneina. Of these 1,500 will replenish items issued from the common pipeline, with 8,000 to be distributed. SC-US have 7,200 blankets en route to Geneina. Mercy Malaysia has 8,500 blankets in transit. Concern is in discussion with Mercy Malaysia and may conduct the distribution for them in the Kulbus locality. - Second Round Distribution
The 2005 distribution was discussed at the Shelter/NFI meeting and at the Inter-agency meeting. Planning forms have been distributed to all NGOs to be returned before the 24th February in order for the Shelter/NFI meeting to establish distribution plans and priorities. This is however, subject to pipeline improvement.
STOCK LEVELS
| NFI Commodities | In stock in Sudan as of Feb 22nd, 2005 | ||||
| El Obeid | El Geneina | Nyala | El Fasher | Total | |
| Blankets | 6,600 | 31,264 | 7,902 | 32,975 | 78,741 |
| Plastic Sheet 4X5M | 4,630 | 4,505 | 12,509 | 16,833 | 38,477 |
| Jerrycan 10l - 20l | 0 | 20,715 | 13,103 | 14,858 | 48,676 |
| Bucket w. lid, 20l | 90,475 | 50,828 | 78,877 | 25,502 | 245,682 |
| Mosquito Nets | 0 | 1,480 | 2,155 | 13,940 | 17,575 |
| Soap (Kg) | 583,727 | 46,747 | 51,248 | 115,344 | 797,066 |
| Clothing (women’s wraps) | 0 | 40,300 | 15,793 | 35,447 | 91,540 |
| Plastic sleeping mats Ea | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7,004 | 7,004 |
| Sanitary material | 0 | 0 | 200 | 0 | 200 |
AIR OPERATIONS
Over the last seven days, seven flights were scheduled with a total of 59.4 mt delivered (this included 15 vehicles). In the next seven days, 11 flights are planned - two per day for five days to reduce backlog of vehicles - a total delivery of 59.8mt cargo comprising of 20 vehicles and other cargo. Cumulative NFI deliveries to date are 1,608mt.
The AN-12 aircraft dedicated to the in-country cargo movement will be out-of service for maintenance from 3 - 8 March 2005. During this period ONLY an extremely urgent cargos will be dispatched with WFP food dedicated aircrafts.
On Wednesday 23/02/2005 at approx. 12:15pm loud explosions were heard on the western side of Juba. These explosions continued for some part of the afternoon. The explosions were random and suspected to have originated from an ammunition dump. As a result, UN staff movement into Juba has been suspended on 23/02/2005. This led to the cancellation of the passenger flight scheduled for June on 24/02/2005. Furthermore Area Security Coordinator (ASC) have been requested to relay condition of airstrip following UNMAS assessment on Thursday 25/02/2005.
Commercial Aircrafts - Flight Schedule
Flight schedules of commercial airlines servicing Sudan (Darfur included) are available on this page.
http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/19037
SURFACE TRANSPORT
Successes. Week 3 of UNJLC/CARE Surface Transport Operations included the dispatch of blankets, water drilling machines, cooking pots and mosquito nets to El Geniena and Nyala. Approximately 20.4 MT and 12.7 MT were dispatched to Nyala and El Geneina respectively. Two vehicles will depart for El Fasher on Wednesday, 23/02/2005. Personal briefings on the Surface Transport Operations were provided to World Vision International and Mercy Malaysia representatives.
Constraints: Performance and output is currently constrained by less than reliable delivery of items to CARE Warehouse and inaccurate volume, weight and valuations data provided on the movement requests. Also, army escort of convoys from Ed Duian to Geneina are delaying deliveries by 1-2 days.
The Surface Transport Project has a significant capacity and potential. Agencies are encouraged to utilize this transport option for both common and non-common NFI pipeline items at nil cost to them.
FUEL
South Darfur:
Mathews Suppliers is the sole Jet-A1 supply company in Nyala. The Maximum tank capacity however is only approx 45 kilolitres. As a result, it runs often-short supply of Jet-A1. WFP advised that all aircraft would commence being refueled out of drums as of tomorrow (23/02/2005). This obviously means Mathews are, once again, in short supply of Jet-A1.
New developments: Petronas is about to complete construction of a fuel station at the Airport entrance. The capacity will be as follows:
- One large storage tank of 115,000 liter capacity, and
- Two tanks of approx 17,000ltr capacity
Indications are that they will truck the aviation fuel in by road. This should be easily facilitated since Petronas own their own tanker fleet. Petronas is expected to be operational next month.
BELOW IS THE WEEKLY FUEL PRICE MATRIX FOR EASE OF REFERENCE
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FUEL PRICES IN LITRES / DARFUR CRISIS
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Week 8
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Date16 – 23 Feb, 2005
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| Khartoum | El Fasher | Nyala | El Geneina | El Obeid | ||||||
| IG | L | IG | L | IG | L | IG | L | IG | L | |
| Diesel | 345 | 76 | 650 | 143 | 725 | 159 | 875 | 192 | 380 | 84 |
| Petrol | 555 | 122 | 850 | 187 | 1,000 | 220 | 1,375 | 302 | 600 | 132 |
| Kerosene | 342 | 75 | 700 | 154 | 750 | 165 | 1,125 | 247 | 250 | 55 |
| JetA1 | 330 | 73 | 864 | 190 | 684 | 150 | 700 | 154 | 368 | 81 |
Price in Sudanese Dinar per Imperial Gallon / Litre NB : 1 IG = 4,546 Litres
LOGISTICS ASSESSMENT
West Darfur: UNJLC undertook an initial cross-border survey into Chad. The survey went only as far as Adre (approx 27 km inside Chad), though a second expedition is planned to Abeche in the coming weeks. The aim is to meet WFP representatives, as the agency plans to undertake surface transport to Abeche from Libya, in an effort to support refugee camps in Eastern Chad and also through to Sudan.
TAX IMPROPRIETY ON THE PART OF GoS:
UNJLC investigated the allegation of tax impropriety on the part of the Sudanese authorities. The methodology followed was through direct enquiry of main organizations working in Darfur.
Our focus was on road transport, import duties, and handling tax. Our findings are as follows:
- Imported goods are not taxed if the NGO/Agency obtains the requisite tax exemption documentations from Humanitarian Affairs Commission (HAC).
- Although some agencies may still be unaware of this, aircraft that bring into the country humanitarian supplies are exempt from landing permit and over-flying fee so long as HAC clears this. Norman commercial fees for providing labor and equipment to load and unload planes will apply but we are unaware of any specific tax beyond this for aircraft loading and unloading.
- As for road transport: we are unaware of any taxes levied for the use of roads (i.e. road tolls).
Taxes may however be paid in an indirect way.
Sequence of actions:
- Agencies send-out quotation request to potential suppliers/transporters
- Transporters bid for the service,
- NGOs/Agencies select the most efficient and economical viable transporter (based on their judgment)
- Transporters do not specify GoS duty charges [road] in their offers. None of the NGOs/UN Agencies we spoke to -questioned this when evaluating the offer.
However, NGOs and UN agencies may indirectly pays road taxes.
Local transporters being subject to Sudanese tax laws, apparently, pay a certain sum per truck, based on tonnage.
Even though the bill these organizations settle at the end of the day does not show road tax charges, they pay indirectly tax to the Govt. through the transporters.
UNHCR usually asks vendors to separate actual transport cost from government levies. It then provides the transporter a tax exemption paper, based on which the transport carry goods without tax.
OTHER
Local residents (mainly nomads in some parts of West Darfur)
Increasing attention is being paid to Arab Nomads in West Darfur in an attempt to diffuse tensions between them and IDPs over receipt of assistance. A meeting is planned with Arab Nomad representatives and NGO and UN agencies based in Geneina.
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