Summary
Content
Dear Logistics Cluster participants.
In this update:
Brief on Pakistan and the Logistics Cluster activities in response to the Cyclone/floods
Update on Zimbabwe and the fuel situation
Information on Humanitarian Reform Workshops: Guinea and Central African Republic
Secondment of staff by Action Contre La Faim (ACF)
Information on flooding in South Sudan
Other business: Myanmar and Columbia
Meetings and events
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Pakistan Update
As reported in last weeks update, The Logistics Cluster received USD 488,132 of CERF funding to start implementing of logistics coordination and set up a common transport network, warehousing, and information systems.
To date the Logistics Cluster has achieved the following:
Designed a tracking sheet template that has been approved by the National Disaster Management Authority. This is part of UNJLC's Joint Supply Tracking System (JST) and will report on cargo movement.
Through UNJLC GIS, created and distributed maps.
Drafted a Special Operation document which was the basis for the Logistics portion of the Flash Appeal launched in Geneva on Wednesday the 18th.
Held regular Logistics Cluster Coordination meetings which have been attended by WFP, WHO, IOM, IFRC, ICRC, ACF, UNICEF, OCHA, ARC. FAO, SC UK, MERLIN, Mercy Corps, Islamic Relief, and RCO.
The Logistics component of the Flash appeal took into consideration the need for "coordination of the logistics response to ensure the effective provision of relief." The response plan of the Logistics Cluster "will compliment the UN agencies and NGO's own supply chain activities through the provision of assistance to receive and deliver relief equipment." To do this the Logistics Cluster "will solicit and coordinate requirements for transport, and support and maintain logistics coordination capacities, including supply movement reporting and mapping."
Presently the Logistics Cluster is based in Islamabad, and if requested, will set up a forward logistics hub in Jacobabad.
The Flash Appeal total request is for USD 38 million an includes 83 projects from national and international NGO's, the Intentional Organization of Migration, and UN agencies. The appeal was based on needs assessments and will be coordinated through the Cluster Approach.
The Cluster Web Site for Pakistan is now on line and can be accessed using www.pfic.webexone.com The site contains a comprehensive list of in-country stocks of relief goods, maps, and other relevant information.
General Information: The NDMA is in the process of preparing guidelines for national and International NGOs who plan to work in the effected areas. Following the norms set down during the 2005 earthquake, it seems likely that organizations will be required to sign MOUs with the government in order to work.
Please find attached minutes of the Logistics Cluster meeting held on July 14th and 18th respectively. Request are starting to arrive for transport assistance of relief goods.
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Information on Humanitarian Reform Workshops
After Chad in May, two Humanitarian Reform workshops took place lately in West Africa both were well attended;
- Guinea on 5th of July
- Central African Republic on 11th of July
This kind of workshop (planned for 11 countries this year - please see weekly update week22) aims at presenting and demystifying the Cluster Approach. Such dissemination is the first step of a process enabling the humanitarian community at country level to implement the Cluster Approach in on-going emergencies. This should be followed, through a consultative country process, by a gap and response capacity assessment and analysis as well as support/augmentation required and determining priority sectors. Eventually this may lead to the introduction of the Cluster Approach and the activation of the required Clusters through the normal process (HC/ERC/IASC).
Similar workshops are planned around mid September in Niamey and Dakar.
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Cluster update on Zimbabwe fuel crisis.
Following up on an issue that has appeared in past updates, the fuel situation in Zimbabwe continues to remain problematic. There is an extreme shortage of fuel for public use. Based on the latest news updates, fuel has almost completely disappeared from the formal market in the second city of Bulawayo, and is critically short in the capital Harare.
UN agencies and NGOs are using fuel which they receive from contracted fuel suppliers through a coupon system. Many NGOs expressed concerns that current schemes are becoming weak.
A conference call with the WFP Country Office in Zimbabwe took place on 17.07.2007 to discuss the situation. The Global Logistics Cluster is following the issue in Zimbabwe by gathering information and assessing opportunities for assistance.
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Introduction of new staff seconded from ACF.
The Global Logistics Support cell received an additional staff member this week. Mr. Francois Milhaud joined us on secondment for 10 months from ACF. Here is a quick break down of where Mr. Milhaud has been working
2001-2006 Trainer for Bio Force and Centre Des Techniques Internationales. Specializing in Humanitarian Logistics, Cold Chain, Security, Fleet Management, and Supply Chain.
1991- 2003 Worked in public and private sector projects ranging from: 1.creating modules for camp management i.e. water management systems, security, and Cholera programmes, 2. Warehouse Management, 3. Drilling Projects, and 4. Customs issues.
1994- 1999 Worked for ACF with a focus on logistics in emergency missions in the East African region.
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Information on Flooding in South Sudan
Flooding is currently occurring in the Upper Nile State and Unity State within Southern Sudan. International agencies and the local Governments have set up Disaster Management Committees at state level who are carrying out assessment to determine the necessary response. The idea is to build capacity within the local government while avoiding the centralized government.
Flooding is expected in the neighbouring States of Jonglei, Lakes, Warab, and Northern B.E.G. If that occurs these States are expected to set up Disaster Management Committees as well.
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Other Business.
Both Myanmar and Columbia have recently experienced flooding. The Cluster Support Cell had been in contact with WFP offices in the respective countries to gather information and prepare for potential Cluster activities. The Myanmar Government have not asked for international assistance while the Colombian Government has. We will continue to monitor the situation and pass on any relevant information.
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Missions and Events.
Tim Smith and Julia Bacher are on mission in Pakistan to run the Logistics Cluster. Tim's number in Pakistan is 0092-300-856-5720 and Julia can be reached on number 0092-300-856-4360. Tim will be returning to Rome shortly.
Global Logistics Cluster/UNJLC/UNHAS meeting, 10-11 September 2007 in Copenhagen, Denmark
Second Logistics Response Team training planned 22-27 October 2007 in Brindisi, Italy. Planning underway.