Summary
Content
SUDAN – NORTHERN SECTOR
Darfur
UNICEF has finalized their appeal for shelter and NFI for Darfur with their HQs and it should be released officially in coming days. Informal copies have already been shared with donors locally and UNICEF purchasing department has already begun identifying possible suppliers and existing stocks.
WFP has signed a letter confirming CARE as its handling agent for in-kind donations consigned to WFP. This will cover the first 60 days of operations for in-kind basic shelter and NFI contributions. After these 60 days, UNICEF will be the consignee.
CARE released their appeal to donors for funding of common logistics services for Darfur. Initial response from donors locally was positive. The “Scope of Works” document, outlining the common logistics pipeline for NFI is available from the UNJLC web site (http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/19774).
The UNJLC has released standard shipping instructions for in-kind contributions. These instructions are available on the UNJLC web site (http:/www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/19774). USAID and DFID have indicated that they should be able to begin in-kind shipments of plastic sheeting, blankets, and water containers within the next week.
A UN high-level delegation lead by J. Morris, Executive Director of WFP, began its mission on the 28th April and travelled to the west of Sudan. It is expected that this mission will raise the profile of the emergency in Darfur, create more awareness and increase donor support.
WFP is on target to distribute a minimum of 6,000 MT of food in Darfur this month.
Fuel prices in Darfur increased by 40% this week. These prices are set by the government. The UNJLC is monitoring the fuel situation. Given the limited humanitarian operations in Darfur, fuel is usually available but at higher prices.
UNJLC Logistics Officer Nicolas Daher is in Darfur visiting all locations to confirm arrangements for UNJLC in Darfur. Hassan Abdalla, UNJLC Logistics Officer, arrived 26 April in Khartoum and will travel to Darfur as soon as travel permits are granted. OCHA reports 22 UN international officers in the Darfur region.
SUDAN- SOUTHERN SECTOR
Rumbek
The construction of the new WFP compound in Rumbek is on-going. The SRRC at county level has allocated land to WFP in the proximity of the airstrip where WFP is in the process of constructing office and storage facilities. It is planned to erect four storage tents with an overall capacity of 1,000 MT. It is expected that the new compound will be completed by August of this year.
UNICEF has also been allocated an area with a total of 180.000 m2 just outside Rumbek along the Adol-Pacong road with adjacent areas of 300 x 300 meters on both sides of the road. The site has yet to be checked for mines and UXO (Unexploded Ordnance or armaments) and also for availability of water.
The SRRC issued a letter on 27 April 2004 requesting all organisations and agencies preparing to set up a presence in Rumbek to directly liaise with the SRRC for obtaining clearances to do so.
Information on threat areas due to mine and UXO can be obtained in Rumbek from the UNMAS office which is located in the Afex compound. UNMAS is presently preparing to facilitate maps indicating threat areas. This facility is expected to be available within the coming weeks.
Fuel
UNICEF in Rumbek is supplied by a private company that hauls the fuel (diesel) in bulk from Kisumu (western Kenya) to Kaya (southern Sudan, border town opposite Koboko in Uganda) where it is transferred to another bowser (a tank truck used for transfer of fuel) which is used only inside South Sudan. The bulk haul continues to Rumbek where the fuel is being pumped into drums at the UNICEF compound. The available storage capacity there is 400 drums. Distribution of fuel to field sites is being done by pick-up vehicles.
The annual average consumption with current level of operations is 240 m3 of diesel, or 240,000 Litre.
The same company supplies fuel also to CRS, WVI and IRC.
UNICEF is in negotiations with local authorities on the acquisition of a fuel tank (50 m3, or 50,000 Litre) Pending the conclusion of the negotiations with the local authorities, the tank will also have to be pressure tested before it can possibly be installed.
WFP is supplied by another private company that provides both diesel and Jet A-1 fuel (used for aircraft). The fuel is hauled from the Kaya depot to Rumbek in drums. WFP is maintaining a storage level of 500 drums Jet A1 and 100 drums diesel. The Jet A-1 fuel drums are sealed at the provision point in Kenya where the required quality is verified.
A third private company has a presence in Rumbek in the proximity of the airstrip. This company hauls fuel in drums on rented trucks from Kisumu via Uganda. A truck load consists of 80 drums. This company has presently a contract with Civilian Protection Monitoring Team (CPMT) to maintain a stock of 80 drums of Jet A-1 in Rumbek. In addition, diesel can also be made available.
A fourth private company is based in Loki and has a presence in Rumbek in proximity to the airstrip and adjacent to the WFP fuel storage area. This company hauls fuel also from Kisumu via Uganda in drums on company owned trucks. Their fleet consists of four 6x6, three 4x4 and two trailers. The company maintains a stock level of 100 drums of diesel and 200 drums of Jet A-1. It plans to increase their present stock level up to 600 drums of Jet A-1 before the start of the rainy season.
Other commercial fuel providers have conducted or are planning to conduct assessments in Rumbek. Plans include the establishment of larger storage facilities in this location.
A complete overview of all suppliers of fuels and rates will be made available upon completion of an assessment.
A UNJLC two member team of fuel experts will arrive today in Nairobi (29 April) to conduct an assessment on the fuel sector. They will focus on supply systems and current and anticipated requirements of humanitarian organisations working in Sudan as well as to investigate the potential for alternative energy sources (to firewood and kerosene) for populations in South Sudan.
Joint Operations Center
UNJLC is continuing to support the establishment of the JOC in Rumbek which will officially be inaugurated on Monday 3 May 2004. A HF radio is now installed and two local radio operators in place.
Corridors
UNJLC has prepared a map indicating the hazardous and decreasing status of the corridor between Nairobi and Lokichoggio in Northern Kenya (the map is available on the UNJLC web site under http://www.unjlc.org/content/index.phtml/itemId/15950). This road plays a crucial role in delivering humanitarian commodities to Lokichoggio for onward delivery into South Sudan. Additional funding is required to carry out emergency repairs and maintenance of this corridor to ensure continuous road access to Lokichoggio during the raining season.
Overview of transport prices and potential transport corridors to the Southern Sector of Sudan.
Security
For road travel in South Sudan and in view of the unstable security situation in various parts of South Sudan, it is mandatory for staff members of the OLS consortium to check with OLS security on the status of roads prior to planning of road movements. Information can be obtained from OLS security in Lokichoggio on sat-phone no. +873 763092550 between 0830 and 1830 or, on a 24hrs , on +873 762494545.
Air Coordination
The aviation consultant is visiting Uganda on 28 and 29 April for discussing aviation matters with stakeholders there. He will be concluding his assessment report, including recommendations of his findings by mid May, when this will be shared with all interested partners.
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 channelled through WFP. The UNJLC project document for Sudan can be viewed on the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).