Summary
Content
Action Point: Cluster participants to provide the coordinates of their warehouses for mapping
Action Point: Logistics Cluster to provide updated customs brief
Border/Customs
- Questions continue to arise about customs, especially regarding registration. There have been reports that it can take up to two months through the Ministry of Planification, and may not even be possible at this time, since the building was destroyed in the earthquake and the division does not appear to be fully functional.
- The Logistics Cluster has been informed that the Direction of Civil Protection (DPC) can assist unregistered organizations in clearing their goods. The LC can be contacted to facilitate this.
- Another solution may be for organizations to import goods via a registered partner organization which could act as the consignee.
- Registered organizations with customs declarations which are taking a long time to clear can address the matter at the “cellule d’urgence” (emergency cell) at the main customs office to expedite the process. The best way is to have a broker go in person.
- WFP, the Logistics Cluster and UNOPS have established a system to expedite goods out of the Varreux terminal at the port. However while clearance may be granted faster, the original documents will still be required.
- An updated customs brief will be disseminated along with these minutes.
Action Point: Logistics Cluster to provide updated customs brief
C/M Coord
- The Logistics Cluster is working with the Government of Mexico and the DPC to facilitate incoming bilateral donations and assist in finding partners for distribution.
Hubs
- The LC had two staff in Leogane yesterday to meet with representatives and identify logistics gaps that could be filled with the Logistics Cluster support.
- There are four subdistricts in the mountains near Leogane which to date have received little assistance. The Logistics Cluster and a member of UNHAS will be going back on Monday to establish a plan for helicopter operations to serve these areas following a rapid assessment.
- The areas being targeted will be Parques, Beausejour, Citronniers and Fonds d’Oie.
- Similar visits will be made to Cap Haitien, Gonaives and Jacmel to establish an overview of requirements and ensure all organizations are aware of Logistics Cluster services.
Update on Air Operations
Airports
- The first commercial passenger flights since the earthquake landed in PAP airport today operated by American Airlines and Air France. Other airlines are expected to recommence activities in the coming period.
- The number of aircraft entering PAP airport is well below current capacity and there is no trouble obtaining slots. Organizations are currently advised to plan incoming cargo flights for Haiti rather than Santo Domingo, which is still suffering from congestion.
- A list of cargo at the humanitarian cargo village is posted daily on the Logistics Cluster website. Organizations are encouraged to expedite their cargo from the airport as fast as possible. This will become even more important as the current operations are scaled down and commercial services take over. Once this happens charges can be expected for cargo left at the airport and it will no longer benefit from US Military security.
- A list of commercial handlers and freight forwarders will be provided.
- Action Point: LC to provide list of commercial handlers and freight forwarders
Helicopter Operations
- Helicopter cargo flights are ongoing, with deliveries to date for UNICEF, WHO, WFP, Direct Relief and AmeriCares.
- Organizations requiring airlift to locations which are hard to reach are invited to forward their requests to the Logistics Cluster.
- The Antonov 12 and the Caribou managed by UNHAS which have been shuttling goods into Haiti are now both off-contract. Another aircraft can be brought in if the need arises.
Passenger Flights
- More than 2,750 passengers from over 250 UN agencies, NGOs, governments and media institutions have used the UNHAS passenger service between Santo Domingo and Port au Prince. The contracts for both aircraft have been extended.
- Passenger booking from PAP is still done in person at the UNHAS booking office on the MINUSTAH Log Base. Office hours are 09:00 to 15:00. For passenger booking from Santo Domingo, users send the signed booking form to unhaspax.haiti@wfp.org.
- Few requests are being made for use of the internal passenger flights, and the service may be discontinued.
Surface Transport
- The M6 all-terrain trucks are being moved to the provinces and will be replaced with an urban fleet with larger vehicles for PAP. Capacity in Port au Prince is now 29 vehicles, with 11 in Jacmel, 10 in Cap Haitien, 16 in Gonaives and 5 in Petit Goave. Most are managed either by Handicap International/Atlas Logistique and some by WFP.
- 4,150 m3 (835 mt) of relief items have been delivered to date in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. Another 926 mt has been moved out of Petit Goave, Jacmel, Gonaives and Cap Haitien by Handicap International/ Atlas Logistique. Requests for transport from the field from sub-offices to outlying areas are increasing. .Starting to receive more requests from the field from sub offices out. Clinton trucks out of port at our warehouse.
- To date, the Logs Cluster has dispatched a total 1658mt of food and some 10000m³ of NFIs for 42 different organizations.
- The Logistics Cluster is still looking for support to fix the piece of road on the Jimani – Malpasse route which is at high risk of flooding during the rainy season. Measures necessary include raising the road by a metre and installing a bailey bridge. Fast action is required in order to finish the work before the rains begin.
- Registration of vehicles in Haiti once they have passed through customs will be required. The Logistics Cluster will disseminate a brief once the procedure has been established.
Action Point: LC to provide clarification on vehicle registration
Warehousing/Infrastructure
- 37 organizations have used interagency storage in PAP. 6150 m3 (552 mt) have moved through PAP W/H 1 and 448 m3 have moved through the newly established W/H 2.
- MSUs are now being installed on the site cleared by LC Warehouse 1 behind the American Embassy to increase interagency capacity. There is availability for Logistics Cluster participants to request an MSU on this site under their own management. Some 80% of current LC capacity is utilized.
- WFP has secured a 2000m² warehouse for interagency use in Jimaní. Due to investment costs, this service might be provided on a cost-recovery basis.
Sea Transport
- One of the two floating docks is finished at the port and a peak of 510 containers in one day was reached this week.
- Operations at the port are being handed back to APN and the Haitian Government, which took over booking and anchorage as of today as the transition begins. No fixed demobilization date has yet been established for US Military personnel and assets.
- The British ship Largs Bay has arrived carrying port equipment and cargo for partner NGOs. Unloading began today. Once this is complete the vessel has been made available for tasking by WFP and the Logistics Cluster for coastal deliveries. The schedule for sailings has been established as the following:
- 22 - 26 Feb: Load at either PaP-Varreux terminal or Laffiteau.
- 26 Feb: Depart PaP for Gonaives
- 27 Feb - 3 Mar: Discharge operations
- 3 Mar: Depart Gonaives for PaP
- 4 Mar: Break
- 5 - 9 Mar: Load at either PaP-Varreux terminal or Laffiteau
- 9 Mar: Depart PaP for Jacmel
- If there is time, a third a third sailing may take place: Depart Jacmel for Cap Haitien. Load cargo. Depart Cap Haitien for PaP (or other) 10 - 14 Mar: Discharge operations.
- All organizations wishing to use this service should contact the Logistics Cluster.