Summary
Content
Update on the situation in Haiti
- Organisations that are planning to import goods into Haiti should be aware that normal customs procedures are in place, in particular with regards to the import of vehicles.
- Only registered organisations qualify for a duty and tax exemption on the importation of goods into Haiti. NGOs can register at the Ministry of Planification, while UN Agencies should refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- No change in services is expected when the US Contingency Response Group moves out of PaP airport as of February 19th. The responsibility to support incoming DOD and international humanitarian flights will be handed over to the Air Expeditionary Group (AEG).
- Humanitarian organisations should expect to see charges for cargo handling as commercial airlines bring in local commercial handlers and the normal system of operations is restored.
- The warehouse situation in Haiti is improving, but organisations are reminded that this is a temporary storage service only, and that cargo need to be moved through the warehouses within seven days.
- The Port-au-Prince sea port is receiving an average of 510 containers every day. A high turnover will be a priority in the time to come.
- Road conditions on the Haitian side of the Jimaní border crossing are expected to worsen with the rainy season. Flooding is common on this route. The concern has been communicated to the US Military and the Clinton Foundation.
Action Point: The Logistics Cluster to check with the Haiti Logistics Cluster if NGOs are having trouble registering with the authorities.
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:
Cargo receipt and handling
- Organisations are reminded that it is very important that all cargo documentation is completed in a correct manner if the Logistics Cluster is to receive and handle the cargo. Customs authorities do not allow WFP to handle cargo if WFP is not notified on the cargo documentation. The Logistics Cluster can assist with this, if necessary. Guidelines are also found on the website. Procedures must be followed also in order for the Cluster to allocate trucks for transport.
Warehousing
- A 2000m² warehouse for interagency use has been secured in Jimaní. The Logistics Cluster is considering offering this service on a cost recovery basis due to costs of required investments. More information will be disseminated soon.
Surface Transport
- As of 16 February, WFP Logistics had dispatched a total of 469 truckloads from Santo Domingo to Haiti. The main destination is Port-au-Prince, but transport to other destinations is also provided. Organisations are encouraged to contact the Logistics Cluster if they have requirements for transport to other locations.
- The need to use smaller trucks on the Haitian side (max 18mt), and the expected condition of the road once the rains start - which is likely to be even worse than on the Jimaní-route – are the main reasons that Elias Piña, although usable in exceptional circumstances, cannot be used as a permanent alternative to Jimaní, especially not in the rainy season. Dajabón in the north is currently the only alternate border crossing used by the Logistics Cluster.
Port Operations
- WFP has done an assessment at the port of Manzanillo in the north of the Dominican Republic. This port may serve as a possible staging area for cargo in transit to Haiti. Further recommendations will be shared with Cluster participants shortly.
- Another port assessment is due to take place at Puerto Plata this week.
UNHAS updates
- The DASH8 (35 pax capacity) has been extended for a further 2 months, as has the Caravan (8 pax capacity). The Caribou (cargo) aircraft is off contract as of 18 February. Requests for cargo movement by air are for the moment covered by the helicopters (2 x 2.5 mt capacity). Organisations that have requirements over and above that are advised to contact the Logistics Cluster.
- Of the three helicopters UNHAS brought in for this operation, one is now based permanently in Port-au-Prince. Two helicopters are still in La Isabela, allowing for some cargo carrying capacity ex Santo Domingo. Organisations that deliver cargo directly at the airport, are reminded to advise UNHAS in advance that such cargo will be delivered and to attach the CMR to the cargo itself. No cargo can be transported by the Logistics Cluster, neither by air nor by road, unless a CMR has been submitted.
- On the 19th February, American Airlines will be resuming commercial flights from Miami to Port-au-Prince.
- UNHAS is seeking assistance from OCHA to consolidate a list of recognised NGOs. This list will serve as a way of ensuring that personnel flying on UNHAS assets are from recognized entities.
Action Point: The Logistics Cluster to share further information on the suitability of Manzanilo port and on the operational modalities of the interagency warehouse in Jimaní.
Updates and questions from participants
- Some organisations have experience that vehicles in transit through Dominican Republic need to be transported in containers to Haiti, that it is impossible to offload vehicles in DR and drive them to Haiti. The Logistics Cluster will look into this issue and see if any help can be provided.
- Customs procedures in Puerto Plata are reported to be slow. Cargo needs to be transported on the same vehicle across Dominican territory – organisations have not been allowed to change vehicles inside DR.
- The road from Dajabón to Jimaní is in very poor condition. Organisations are advised to use the route via Santo Domingo to Jimaní , or alternatively cross the border at Dajabón.
- UNOPS is compiling a list of suppliers in the Dominican Republic. Organisations that have information to share on this issue are kindly asked to contact UNOPS at simonsp@unops.org. Once the list is completed, it will be shared via the Logistics Cluster.
- OCHA informed that before the earthquake they were working with Dominican authorities on a customs procedure for emergencies. Efforts have been made to finalise this process. Updates will be shared with Cluster participants as soon as they become available.
Action Point: The Logistics Cluster to investigate procedures for importing vehicles to Haiti via the Dominican Republic.