Summary
Content
In this update:
- UK Logs Cluster NGO meeting planned for 11 February 2008
- Logs Cluster dedicated staff on way to Chad and CAR
- UNHAS merges Northern and Southern Sudan aviation operations
- Japan Platform at Global Logs Cluster Cell
- Missions and events
Next Global Logs Cluster meeting - Your opinion needed!
For the next Global Logistics Cluster meeting we would like to propose the following options:
A: hold the meeting on 23-24 April 2008 in Geneva, (following the Fritz Institute's Humanitarian Logistics Conference, 21-22 April 2008)
B: hold the meeting in Dubai during the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development Conference & Exhibition (DIHAD), 8-10 April 2008
C: independently at a different date
Please feedback your preferred option!
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UK Logs Cluster NGO meeting planned for 11 February 2008.
On the 11 February 2008, the Global Logs Cluster Cell is holding the second informational meeting with NGOs in London, similar to the one held in Paris in December 2007. The main topic will be again the Cluster approach and the Logistics Cluster.
The idea is to give organisations that would like to strengthen their knowledge of the humanitarian reform processes and that were not able to attend the Global Logs Cluster meetings in Rome, Geneva and Copenhagen a chance to come together for an interactive session.
The agenda will be:
- Presentation of the Humanitarian Reform (incl. Cluster approach)
- Practical presentation of the logs cluster
- Examples of cluster activations
- Presentation of the LRT (Logistics Response Team) and other common service's tools
- Open discussion to answer more precisely to the participants questions, to have a clearer view of their expectations/needs, and on how to improve the inter agency collaboration
The meeting is open to all UK and Ireland based NGOs.
Please contact Laurent Blanc, Logs Cluster Support Cell, if you are interested to attend: laurent.blanc@wfp.org, phone +39 340 4944684
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Logs Cluster dedicated staff on way to Chad and CAR
Chad Logistics Cluster: Stephane Pellegri, the new Information Management Officer, will arrive in N'Djamena beginning of next week. He will be based in Abeche. Currently he is undergoing briefing sessions at the Global Logs Cluster Cell, UNJLC and WFP Logistics in Rome headquarters.
Contact: stephane.pellegri@wfp.org
CAR Logistics Cluster: Diane Duffour will take on Information Management in CAR. Her first task will be the coordination of the compilation of the Interagency Logistics Capacity Assessment. She will arrive in CAR end January after briefing sessions in Rome.
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UNJLC Core Unit support to South Sudan GIS project
One of the UNJLC core unit GIS officers is travelling to Juba, Sudan next week to support the UNJLC GIS team there. Many roads have been assessed using GPS through an interagency effort coordinated by UNJLC. This has resulted in a backlog of data to be processed and she will help work through the backlog during her one month deployment.
UNJLC's GIS project in south Sudan is to map transportation infrastructure and monitor changes to the transport network due to road rehabilitation or damage during the rainy season. This information helps the humanitarian community conduct it's work in the region, and serves as a planning tool for the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
Contact CJ Hendrix: chadjerry.hendrix@wfp.org
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Link in with WFP's Avian Human Influenza (AHI) preparedness project
WFP Logistician Alastair Cook is currently travelling in East Africa as part of WFP's extensive Avian Human Influenza (AHI) planning and preparedness processes to ensure its capacity to minimize impact on its staff health and safety, its capability to maintain operations, consider new ones and support the Humanitarian System's Avian and Human Influenza (AHI) Action Plans. Particular focus is being placed upon business continuity planning and maintaining WFP's systems so it can continue with life saving programmes, and provide support to the wider humanitarian community utilising its strong operational support and logistics capabilities.
Alastair's travel plan is the following:
currently in Kenya
Tanzania as of 14 January 2008
Mozambique in February 2008
South Africa in March 2008
If your offices in the region would like to get in contact with Alastair or are interested in receiving a briefing, he can be contacted at: alastair.cook@wfp.org, phone +254 736 418004.
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UNHAS merges Northern and Southern Sudan aviation operations
A Special Operation (SO) project for UNHAS Sudan has been newly approved to fully merge both Northern and Southern Sudan operations under a common partial cost-recovery scheme. In line with this SO project, a new fleet plan for Sudan will be implemented.
To ensure that an efficient service-level and the appropriate standards are maintained, UNHAS Sudan will carry out a number of changes and upgrades in its aircraft fleet in 2008. As of 5 January the first new aircraft, a single engine PAC 750, will arrive to mainly serve Kauda, Damazine, Kassala, and El Obeid as well as occasionally serve the Darfur states. It is expected that the PAC 750 will become operational by 14 January after being released by the authorities to operate in the country. This aircraft will replace a Khartoum-based Cessna Caravan.
In order to build capacity, and provide a faster and safer air transport service, the four current Cessna Caravans based in Nyala, Wau and Rumbek will be replaced by four larger, twin-engine Twin Otter aircraft. The arrival of the Twin Otters will occur throughout January and it is expected that the aircraft will be fully operational as of 1 February. These aircraft are expected to improve services to shorter airstrips, such as Raja, Awiel, Agok/Torieli, and Tharjath.
Additionally, two Dornier 328 Jet aircraft will be introduced to the fleet providing more comfortable and faster travel to UNHAS Sudan passengers. One is expected to arrive as of 1 February and the second one as of 1 April. These aircraft will fly the longer sectors to locations like Juba, Nyala, and Fasher. As a result, one of the Dash 8s currently based out of Khartoum - with a 50-passenger capacity - will be repositioned to the South of Sudan in April thus providing increased transport capacity between the Southern states.
Finally, the two Fasher-based Mi-8 helicopters will also be replaced with the same type of helicopters but from a different operator. One is expected to arrive as of 1 February and the second one as of 1 June.
For any additional information or clarifications, please contact WFP.AviationInformation@wfp.org.
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Japan Platform at Global Logs Cluster Cell
Ms. Yuriya Teragaki from the Japan Platform (JPF) Yuriya will spend 3 months with WFP Logistics on an on-the-job-training programme funded by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During her stay she will also work closely with the Logs Cluster Support Cell to exchange ideas, practices and to gain from each others experience in coordination.
Yuriya has previously worked with various Japanese NGOs in Sri Lanka, Kosovo and Pakistan and has worked with the Japan Platform since 2005 as the Chief of Administration. JPF is an International NGO which focuses on the provision of assistance to refugees programmes and natural disaster response. JPF conducts its work in a tripartite cooperation system with other NGOs, the business community and the Government of Japan and pools government, private sector and public donations to fund NGOs’ emergency relief projects.Currently JPF coordinates with 26 NGOs to provide assistance.
Yuriya can be contacted by email on: yuriya.teragaki@wfp.org and by phone on + 39 06 6513 3568.
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Missions and Events
Humanitarian Reform Workshop Cote d'Ivoire planned for 30-31 January 2008