Summary
Content
Bulletin No 27
as of 4th September 2003
(107 KB)
1. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
2. SECURITY
3. AIR OPERATIONS
4. BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS
5. TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE
5.1 UMM QASR PORT UPDATE
6. LOGISTIC COORDINATION
7. CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION
8. FUEL
9. OTHER
UNJLC bulletins aim to provide a concise weekly overview of UNJLC activities and the present logistical situation in regard to the crisis in the Middle East. In addition sector/country specific reports are released regularly in order to provide in-depth coverage of priority areas.
Contact details for all UNJLC offices are available on the UNJLC website at http://www.unjlc.org/home/ref/04/02.html.
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1. OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Since the tragic bomb attack at the UN HQs in Baghdad on 19 August 2003, Amman has received more than 300 UN personnel directly from Baghdad via nearly 35 flights, including two that were MEDEVAC planes. The first flight arrived on 21 August and the relocation continues to date. The main carrier of these passengers is UNHAS. In addition, Air Serve, ICRC and Royal Jordanian conducted flights for the relocation of staff from Baghdad to Amman. UNJLC, UNDP, UNSECOORD, WHO, WFP and UNOCHA have been jointly involved in receiving and responding to the repatriated staff in various capacities. All in coming staff were registered at the airport and provided with assistance in obtaining visas, transportation, and accommodation. A team of WHO doctors and WFP/WHO counsellors was also present at the airport. King Hussein Medical Centre in Amman offered its immediate services to the injured persons who were medically evacuated in a Jordanian Air Force C-130 aircraft. WHO coordinated with the Medical Centre to provide ambulances at the airport. Furthermore, at the hospital UNJLC, OCHA and WHO staff has been actively involved in liaison and attending to the needs of the patients. A team of stress and trauma counsellors has been holding both individual and group sessions. Also, a Human Resource officer has recently been designated from UN HQ in New York to handle the HR and administrative issues of the hospitalized staff. Most of those who died in the attack in Baghdad were flown directly to their home countries, while 8 of the caskets were transited through Amman. A memorial service was held in Amman to pay respects to those who lost their lives in Baghdad. In view of the present situation in Iraq, UN is conducting major relocation of it staff from North, Centre and South to Jordan and Kuwait until further stabilization of the situation. With this broad relocation the presence of UN in Iraq will be limited to essential staff only and possibly around 50 persons – perhaps as few as 30 in Erbil and 20 in Baghdad. Iraq: While there has been no formal change in the security phases within Iraq, all travel into and within Iraq now requires direct approval of UNSECOORD, New York. Moreover, most of the UN international staff is being relocated to Jordan until further notice. Baghdad: Security phase 4. Almost all of the UN international staff is in the process of being relocated to Amman. A certain United Nations agency received an unspecified threat. Mosul: Security phase 4. In Erbil, two fake UN vehicles with the HABITAT logo and marking were reported to be in the hands of a terrorist group apparently planning a car bomb attack. All Habitat vehicles are accounted for and confined in the UN compound for the next 48 hours. Basrah: Security phase 4. A complete daily listing of security incidents can be found in the “latest press releases” section of the www.centcom.mil. 3. AIR OPERATIONS It seems unlikely that Baghdad International Airport will open to commercial traffic in the foreseeable future. The Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) has been updated with effect from 18th August, 2003. Work continues in respect of other restrictions namely: an easing of the need to arrive at destination within +/- 5 minutes; more direct routing between the Jordanian and Syrian entry points and Northern and Southern destinations; and early availability of aviation fuel. The ICAO Search and Rescue expert has completed his visit. A draft Emergency Response Plan has been produced and will be circulated among stakeholders in the Office of the Coalition Provisional Authority (OCPA), Air Staffs of the Coalition and UNHAS. In recognition of the recent increase in the need for official travel to Jordan by Contractors and military groups, the OCPA has authorised a “pay-as-you-go” charter between Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) and Amman (Marka Airport) for OCPA authorised travellers. The service is planned to depart from Amman at 08:00, arrive BIAP at 11:00, depart BIAP at 12:00 and arrive Amman at 13:00 local time. Initially, the charter service will fly up to 48 passengers on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Travelers can register for the flight by contacting Chuck Litzleman of the Iraqi Assistance Centre, Jordan at ChuckLitz@hotmail.com or + 962 7748 5998. In conjunction with the flight arrival and departure times, the US company, CusterBattles, will offer a shuttle service between BIAP the Republican Palace, the Sheraton/Palestine hotels and the IAC/Al-Rasheed. Please consult with Chuck Litzleman for details. UNHAS AIRCRAFT ASSETS AND UTILISATION The UNHAS fleet currently consists of: 1. Passenger Aircraft. Two Beechcraft 1900 and an ATR 42. The ATR 42 now operates 6 times a week between Amman and Baghdad. In theory this aircraft can carry 48 passengers with 25kg of baggage each and one tonne of cargo. However, lack of availability of fuel together with restrictions on passengers processing in Baghdad, limits the planned passenger load to 30 for the time being. Detailed information about the ATR 42 is at WEB LINK TO FLEET. 2. Cargo Aircraft. Apart from the limited capacity offered by the Beechcraft and ATR aircraft, there is no cargo capacity. For very urgently required cargo destined for Iraq, UNHAS will arrange for special charter flights. 4. BORDER CROSSING AND CUSTOMS UNJLC visited the Jordanian/Iraqi border on 3 Sep 2003. The purpose was to assess the current situation regarding the movement of humanitarian aid traffic. There are no problems to report in this area and the flow of humanitarian aid traffic is running smoothly. This is attributable to the continued usage of the specific Humanitarian Aid lanes allocated on both sides of the border. The visit also included a meeting with the Iraqi Customs Border Chief and other key members of his staff. The main issues to arise from the meeting were the Iraqi Customs concerns over the Jordanians strict adherence to certain areas of their Immigration policy concerning the movement of Iraqis into Jordan. UNJLC will facilitate a meeting between the two sides to try and resolve the situation. At the request of the Iraqi Customs Border Chief this will take place on or after the 17 September, to coincide with his next scheduled roster of duties. The Iraqi Customs Border Chief also expressed his concerns over the sharp increase in insurance premiums being levied on Iraqi freight drivers who wished to drive in Jordan. The Jordanian Insurance Companies have dramatically raised these premiums since the end of the conflict. The continued inoperable state of the two X-ray machines was discussed and it was agreed to seek active assistance from the HACC, who were asked to find out the availability of CPA staff at Baghdad Airport, with a view to arranging the installation of the machines. The Iraqi Customs Border Chief raised the issue of training and re-equipping, which all his staff still rate as an urgent priority. In response to the concerns raised by a few agencies regarding the congestion at the port of Aqaba, particularly at the container terminal, UNJLC visited the port to meet with the authorities and discuss the problems on 3 Sep 2003. The Director General at the Port promised cooperation with the various UN agencies that are using the Port. UNJLC provided the General with a list of the UN agencies operational in the country to ensure the granting of privileges to humanitarian agencies. UNJLC was informed that the Port would have new yards developed along with purchasing of additional cranes so as to increase the efficiency. The DG also agreed to evaluate the need for dedicating a separate yard for UN containers. The UNJLC Customs team was reinforced by Mr. Alistair Gall, customs expert, who has been tasked primarily to develop a strategy for customs and immigration intervention in future emergencies. An MoU has been drafted stipulating the need to ensure continued broad exemptions for all humanitarian supplies entering Iraq; and, the unhindered removal of equipment from Iraq. The MoU was shared and discussed with the customs and immigration focal points with the CPA. A briefing on customs and immigration was held with the CPA and UNJLC on 13 Aug in Baghdad. The Customs Headquarters in Baghdad will be re-occupied by customs authorities. It is expected that initially 200 persons will man this central headquarters. District Headquarters in Mosul for the North and Basrah for the South will also be set up. As far as workings with the neighbouring countries are concerned, Trebil has the highest priority, followed by the Syrian and Turkish border crossing points. Financially, the plans for this new structure are not defined. Currently, there is no common system for levying fees and customs, and tribes take responsibility for guarding border segments and controlling the passage of commodities. There are also locations where no authorities or inspections are present. The customs holiday will continue until 31 December 2003. A conference is schedule to be held from 1 to 6 November to discuss the introduction of tariffs and other such issues. There is a plan for a total of 16 Class A border crossing points and at least 8 Class B border crossing points. Class A border crossing points shall be equipped with passport reading machines. The Class A seaport BCP will be in Um Qasr. The land border crossing points mentioned during the meeting include Ibrahim Khalil, Rabe’a, al-Qa’im, al-Waleed, Trebil, Ar’ar, Safwan, Shalamchah, Zurbatiya, Muntheriya, Badr, Bashmagh, and Hajji Omran. A Department of Border Enforcement also will be established in the Ministry of Interior. Customs will be part of this Department. Vehicles (from OFFP), uniforms and weapons will be supplied to personnel. An action plan that includes training has been devised with time tables but final implementation is awaiting approval of funds. The UN has requested the Government of Kuwait for UN personnel to cross this border crossing. A list of names of staff will be provided to the authorities so that these certain persons can be allowed access upon presentation of UN ID. As mentioned previously, the CPA is planning to open a customs/immigration office Safwan in the very near future. This would increase the level of confidence of the Kuwait authorities, and the overall security of all passing traffic. A border crossing map is available at http://www.unjlc.org/iraq/ep/01_01.html A transport survey has been jump started. The survey was funded by UNOPS and will be carried out by Nazha Company. This project will assess the cargo transport capacity in Iraq in light of the developing needs of the humanitarian reconstruction and commercial demand for transport. One vessel for WFP was due to arrive on 1 Sep 2003 to discharge sugar and milk powder. In addition, the dredging of the berths no. 16, 17, and 18 to 12.5 M was meant to finish this week. In addition, security incidents continue to be reported. British coalition forces are assisting in providing security at the port, notably at the main entrance gate. A logistics coordination meeting took place in Basrah on 4 Sep coordinated by UNJLC local staff. In Basrah, UNJLC has been facilitating car maintenance support for the UN Agencies through three Iraqi companies and two international ones. The lack of maintenance of the UN vehicles has become a security problem. UNJLC installed two 18 000 tanks in the UN Basrah House: one for diesel and one for petrol. A project for a protective wall and ceiling is also being worked out.
UNJLC continues in updating a database of the CMCoord/CIMIC/CA structure in Iraq. The UNJLC arranged supply of fuel to UN facilities in Baghdad has recently expired and is currently under re-negotiations, with an increased supply needed. For Fuel availability in Iraq please see http://www.unjlc.org/iraq/fuel/01_01.html UNHAS Duty Officer. UNHAS now has a duty officer who can be contacted in case of EMERGENCIES ONLY. It is NOT a number for passenger enquires which may be made at the times and with the points of contact listed at para 10 below. The Duty Officer's phone number is + 962 796 726 723. UNHAS and UNJLC Offices. The UNJLC and UNHAS are located in Amman at: PO Box 941631, Amman 11194. The UNJLC is very near (50m to the East) to the UNDP building and in what is known to some as the old UNHCR building. There is no house number but there is a UNJLC sign on the gate. UNHAS and the UNJLC Air Cell are in the WFP Annex B building which is also close to the UNDP building; see address at para 10 below. Both locations are in the district of Shmeisani. Points of contact are as follows. UNHAS - Passenger and Cargo Bookings:
Email: iraq.unhas@wfp.org UNHAS Booking office Amman (From UNDP building: go past the Mirabelle Restaurant and take the first left. Building is the same as the Dr. Oardan/Quandour Clinic) |
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ABOUT UNJLC
UNJLC is an inter-agency facility reporting to the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq and generally to the Inter Agency Standing Committee. Its mandate is to coordinate and optimise logistics capabilities of humanitarian organisations in large scale emergencies. UNJLC operates under the custodianship of WFP that is responsible for the administrative and financial management of the unit. UNJLC is funded from voluntary contributions that are channeled through WFP. The UNJLC project document for Iraq can be viewed at the UNJLC website (www.unjlc.org).