Summary
Content
Action Point: Cluster participants to provide the coordinates of their warehouses for mapping
Action Point: LC to compile a list of local suppliers. Organizations to submit input.
Action Point: Logistics Cluster to disseminate clear procedures for bringing cars in- country
Introduction and Situation Update
- MINUSTAH has requested a list of partners from the Clusters in order to facilitate access to the Logbase for meetings. A list will be submitted by each Cluster to UNDSS with the organizations on each Cluster’s roster. ID is required for entry.
- Three national days of mourning are underway to commemorate the first month since the earthquake. Truck and warehouse operations have been shut down for the day (Friday, February 12th) across the country.
- Airport and port operations are continuing.
Border/Customs
- The import of vehicles into Haiti remains a major concern. Some organizations have been told at the border to go to Port au Prince and undergo customs procedures, but the customs offices have been closed since the earthquake. An alternative HQ has now opened at the APN port terminal.
- Humanitarian organizations bringing in vehicles are required to submit a packing list, bill of lading, pro forma invoice, gift certificate and freight invoice. Only the original documents will be accepted, though for known organizations photocopies may be accepted during the initial procedure to expedite the process.
- It is still unknown whether certification from the Ministry of Transport will be required. - While the Logs Cluster was informed that the process can be completed in 72 hours, certain NGOs have been told by customs that it can take up to two weeks. The LC is meeting with the head of customs at the port and will try to clarify the situation. The LC can also try to facilitate specific shipments on request.
- A representative of the Department of Civil Protection will be positioned at the border in the coming days to facilitate humanitarian cargo crossing the border.
- Official vehicle testing is not currently taking place, and the registration process remains unclear.
- The Logistics Cluster will take action to provide greater details at the next meeting.
C/M Coord
- Daily coordination meetings have been put place between the US and Canadian Forces, MINUSTAH, WFP and the Logistics Cluster to address both current logistics issues and longer term planning. This is a key issue since the process is underway to withdraw some capacity currently provided by bilateral military aid.
- A large withdrawal of assets could seriously hamper operations, especially at the port. Discussions are underway with the Militaries to maintain some support, especially in terms of equipment and handling materials.
- The Logistics Cluster is concerned that the return to a full commercial system at the port will have the effect that berthing slots will return to a first-come-first-served basis rather than a humanitarian basis.
- The current project to rehabilitate the road from Jimani must be maintained as a priority since there is a serious risk of it becoming impassable once the rainy season begins, cutting off an essential corridor from Dominican Republic.
- Short planning meetings will be convened with logisticians from the WASH, Shelter and CCCM Clusters to establish an overview of their incoming goods and planned distribution cycles. This information will be communicated to the military actors currently assisting the operation so that an overview of what is needed can be established. Information about incoming transitional shelter goods is also essential because sea transport will certainly be required.
- There is a push underway to clear rubble and use it for reconstruction to improve roads and access. Engineering and infrastructure requests can be addressed to the Logistics Cluster for assistance through the JOTC.
- The JOTC should be kept informed of security trouble spots in order to maintain an overview of the situation and provide assistance where it is most required.
Update on Air Operations Airports
- Requests for slots at the airport have decreased substantially and there is no longer a perceived need for prioritization.
- An assessment to the runway has raised concerns about the long-term effects of heavy wide-body planes, and an 80 mt limit has been placed in incoming aircraft. However USAID/OFDA is working on getting some priority flights accepted for humanitarian organizations.
- The NOTAM about a lack of fueling capacity at the airport is expected to be lifted in the next day or two.
- The US Air Force gathers all pallets and hands them over to the airport authorities. - The airport at Santo Domingo is suffering severe congestion. The Logistics Cluster in Dominican Republic is trying to assist by increasing the capacity to receive goods. Helicopter Operations
- Helicopter flights are ongoing with one Mi-8, two Mi-171 and a Sikorsky. Flights to date have delivered cargo for UNICEF, WHO, WFP and Direct Relief.
- There are fewer requests for airlift than expected. If this continues, part of the current capacity will be demobilized once the one-month contracts come to an end. Passenger Flights
- A passenger service within Haiti has begun to priority destinations chosen by the Clusters. Flights take place on Tuesdays to Les Cayes and Jacmel, Wednesdays to Hinche and Ounaminthe, Thursdays to Cap Haitien, Saturdays to Saint Marc, Gonaives and Belladere. The schedule is on the website at http://www.logcluster.org/ops/hti10a/UNHAS_Haiti_Internal-Flights_100208.pdf.
- The booking procedure remains the same as the one currently in place for PAP – Santo Domingo. Forms and details are available on the website at http://www.logcluster.org/ops/hti10a/snapshot-unhas-passenger-flights.
- UNHAS has transported some 2,200 passengers for over 180 different agencies, NGOs, governments and media institutions between Santo Domingo and Port-au-Prince.
Surface Transport
- Sixteen 11-15 mt flatbed trucks have arrived from the Clinton Foundation. These will be used to provide interagency transport in and around PAP. The trucks are designed for urban transport, freeing up the all-terrain vehicles for deliveries over rough terrain.
- The Logistics Cluster can provide transport from any warehouse, not just LC interagency facilities. Users are requested to provide their GPS locations for mapping to facilitate operations for the drivers. This map will be for internal Cluster use only.
- The option of a “dry port” outside PAP is being investigated to offload cargo coming from Santo Domingo on long-haul trucks and move it onto smaller trucks with Haitian drivers. This could ease the congestion caused by 40 foot containers on the roads of PAP and facilitate operations with local drivers who know the roads.
- Limited storage capacity is planned for this location. The goal is to pull cargo from Santo Domingo on a needs basis and load it directly for delivery and distribution.
Action Point: Logistics Cluster users to provide their warehouse locations for mapping
Warehousing/Infrastructure
- Interagency warehouse capacity is currently 6,700 m2, with land being prepared at Logistics Cluster warehouse number 1 behind the US embassy for the installation of prefab storage.
- Warehouse number 1 is 95 percent full, and warehouse 2 at the Airport Industrial Park is 60 percent full. A report will be issued on a daily basis with the date of entry and the organization to facilitate the tracking of goods and encourage fast distribution.
- Forklifts are now available at both locations, however efforts are still underway to find a place to rent additional machines and provide spare parts. Any Cluster members with this information are invited to share it with the LC.
- Several organizations have reported looting or attempted looting at their warehouses. Among other measures UNPOL should be informed of all storage locations.
Action Point: Organizations to provide locations of their warehouses for mapping
Sea Transport
- A British Naval ship is due in to port on February 18th with port enhancement equipment and vehicles for partner NGOs. It will then be made available to WFP and the Logistics Cluster for deliveries around the coast. A mission will take place tomorrow (February 13) to assess the ports and beaching areas, after which a schedule will be drawn up.
- Work is ongoing at the APN terminal and the US Military has chartered two large barges to create floating docks, which combined the beaching areas and lighting using landing craft will bring operational capacity up to a potential 1,500 containers a day. However this depends on organizations clearing their containers from the port.
- IFRC is scaling down its air operations and bringing containers into Santo Domingo by sea. Some cargo may also be brought directly into PAP.
- For now, vessels are allowed to berth based on a slot system established by the Port Authorities supported by the US Military. The priority remains humanitarian cargo. As commercial operations resume scheduled services will become available through the private sector.
Way Forward
- A Logistics Cluster representative was in Leogane yesterday and is now in Jacmel to support the creation of humanitarian hubs and working areas. Logistics Cluster members should inform the LC on their future plans in these areas to give an overview of requirements.
- RedR/Bioforce will be starting driver and mechanic training as of February 22. For more information on this and other courses contact: Maggie Heart, margaret.heraty@redr.org.uk.
- Logistics Cluster participants have requested a “yellow pages” of local suppliers. All input for this list is welcome and should be sent to Haiti@logcluster.org.
Action Point: LC to compile a list of local suppliers. Organizations to submit input.