Summary
Content
Update on the situation in Haiti
- Jean Francois Milhaud – Logistics Officer with WFP/the Logistics Cluster – gave a brief on the situation in Haiti:
- The Logistics Cluster currently disposes of some 7000 m² warehouse capacity. Warehouses are equipped with forklifts etc. The warehouse situation has improved and there is currently available storage room in the interagency warehouses.
- 40 new trucks are expected to arrive next week.
- Lack of pipeline information is complicating logistical planning. It is important that organisations submit their long term pipeline information to the Cluster.
- The Haiti Logs Cluster has 20-25 wiikhalls available for NGOs to loan for a period of one to two months.
Please refer to the Haiti Logistics Cluster meeting minutes and to the latest situation report for the latest updates on Haiti.
Update on the situation in the Dominican Republic:
Customs procedures and documentation
- The situation in Jimaní has deteriorated in the last 24 hours due to a change in documentation requirements with respect to what has been the norm during the emergency. As advised in a news flash issued today, on the Haitian side of the border all trucks must provide a complete packing list signed and stamped by the organisation that is moving the cargo, along with the standard waybill, proforma invoice stating value, copy of gift certificate, etc. Please note that the waybill and packing list must correspond, so that for example it is not sufficient to list the number of pallets or boxes. Rather, the exact number and description of all items on each pallet must be provided. As of now the Logistics Cluster is not able to move any trucks out of the border. As a consequence, loading might be stopped in Santo Domingo until the situation is clarified. Cluster participants will be kept informed as the situation evolves.
- Organisations that are not using the Cluster transportation service need to have staff present at the border to facilitate crossing, the Logistics Cluster cannot provide that service for organisations that are transporting cargo individually.
- New opening hours of Jimaní border are 9:30 – 17:30 Dominican time. The Logistics Cluster is in dialogue with the authorities and is seeking to increase the opening hours.
Surface transport
- WFP is looking into using sea transport from the Dominican Republic to various destinations in Haiti as a back up in case of severe road problems in the rainy season.
- For onward shipments of smaller consignments, please note that the Logistics Cluster will consolidate these into larger shipments. Cargo may be kept at the warehouse in Caucedo pending onward transport.
Storage
- 8000-9000 m² of additional storage capacity will be secured in the following weeks, centred on the area around Rio Haina.
- A mission is planned for next week to assess storage capacity in the border area. Cargo tracking
- Organisations that are sending cargo on commercial flights are reminded that all cargo is not necessarily arriving at one time; it might be spread over several days. The Logistics Cluster tracking team is following the shipments and will advise once all cargo has been received.
- A customs agent has been declared to facilitate customs clearance in the ports. The Logistics Cluster is also deploying extra staff to oversee and facilitate the port operations.
- Organisations are kindly asked to explain cargo in detail when submitting CMRs, and not to use pdf-files.
- In those cases the Logistics Cluster is not facilitating the customs clearance, organisations will have to submit proof that cargo has been cleared before onward transport can be planned. This is to avoid that cargo is blocked in the port.
- Similarly, if cargo is procured locally, the Logistics Cluster is now contacting the supplier directly to ensure that cargo is ready to be picked up. Organisations are kindly asked to provide contact information for local suppliers. UNHAS updates
- Passenger numbers are going down, and as of next week there will be two flights with the Dash8 (36 seat capacity) on Mondays Wednesdays and Fridays, whereas there on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, will be one flight with the Dash8 in the morning, while the Caravan (8 seat capacity) will be used in the afternoon – if necessary.
- The last of the three helicopters contracted by UNHAS for this operation left SD on Monday this week and is now based in Port-au-Prince. Organisations that have requests for air cargo movement (around 2 mt) are advised to contact the Cluster and UNHAS, while keeping in mind that such requests no longer can be acted upon on the same day.
- UNHAS will shortly implement a strict procedure with regards to checking whether organisations using UNHAS services are in fact registered with OCHA.
Action Point: N/A
Updates and questions from participants
- Organisations that are planning to transport cars across the border are advised to pool the shipments.
- When the free services expire in one to two months, the services will continue but on a cost recovery basis. The Logistics Cluster will share the expected costs of such services.
Action Point: N/A