Summary
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Logistics Cluster Update
Accessibility in the northern areas affected byTyphoon Parma remains a serious issue, with many barangays still cut off by damaged bridges and severe landslides. In places entire villages have been almost swept away. A two-day joint assessment mission took place last week with representatives of the Logistics Cluster, UNHAS and the DSWD to get an overview of inaccessible areas and requirements. A list of the hard-to-reach locations still in need of assistance was drawn up with input from the local DSWD. In Region I, the first priority has been established as Apayao province, followed by the municipalities of Calanasan and Malibcong. In Benguet, the priority locations are barangays in Atok, Kapangan, Tuba, Kibungan and Itogon.
To get supplies to these areas as soon as possible, a reinforced program of delivery has been established for the region. Three staging areas have now been set up in Laoag, San Fernando La Union, and Baguio, and the Logistics Cluster has put up Mobile Storage Units(MSUs) in all locations. Pallets have been provided to ensure proper storage. Logistics Cluster staff were deployed to each location on Saturday, November 7, alongside government counterparts. All warehouses will be staffed by the DSWD.
The army is providing small tactical support trucks (4 mt) to transport relief goods from the hubs to remote locations above Baguio and to shuttle cargo from warehouses for airlift, as well as labour to load the helicopters at Wallace and Laoag. As of Friday, November 6, the Logistics Cluster began sending trucks to pre-position DSWD relief cargo in Wallace, Laoag and Baguio in preparation for onward transport.
The warehouse as well as transport to cut-off and remote locations on the estabished list of priorities are all available for inter-acency use. Cargo Movement Request forms and Storage Request forms are available here.
Helicopter Operations
Over the next week, the two MI-171s serving the Philippines flood response will be heavily focused on northern Luzon to provide assistance to the many areas which remain inaccessible by road. One helicopter will be based out of Laoag for the coming days, and has already begun flights into the municipality of Kabugao in Apayao province. The other helicopter is tasked with two days of deliveries into Quezon province in southern Luzon before beginning rotations out of Wallace. In response to a clear continued need to access cut-off areas, both helicopters will be extended until the end of November. As of November 8, 208 rotations have been flown to carry cargo, medical and assessment teams.
LET
Within the framework of the World Economic Forum, TNT, Agility and UPS joined together to support the humanitarian sector with emergency response logistics in the case of large-scale natural disasters. Logistics Emergency Teams (LETs) ntervene over the first crucial three to six weeks, providing logistics specialists, assets (warehouses, trucks, forklifts, etc.) and transportation services. Deployment of these teams and assets takes place in coordination with WFP in its role as lead of the Global Logistics Cluster.
In response to the catastrophic flooding caused by Tropical Storm Ketsana and Typhoon Parma, an LET was activated in the Philippines under the direction of a logistics coordinator from UPS. As of October 12th, five trucks were deployed with drivers and assistants. These trucks have been tasked for deliveries to northern Luzon, Laguna and Rizal to position goods for onward movement by road or air. Two warehouses have also been provided in Manila for short-term interagency use, as well as staff to assist in the DSWD National Resource Operations Center (NROC) warehouse. While Agility support will be ending on November 10 as per the initial contract, UPS has extended its support until the end of November, with three trucks, one warehouse and staff remaining available to serve the operation. LET transport and warehousing remain available for inter-agency use.
GIS
As of October 8, the Logistics Cluster deployed a GIS officer to the Philippines flood response operation to provide logistics mapping services to the humanitarian community in coordination with Map-Action, OCHA, and NAMRIA. An initial map of road conditions and damaged infrastructure was produced and is kept constantly updated, along with a logistical planning map, a map of government warehouse locations, and a map of storm-affected areas. Latest maps show inaccessible locations in northern Luzon which are the current priority for deliveries. These are available for download in the MapCentre.