Summary
Content
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Contents:
1. Operational Updates: Cargo Movement, Shipping and Airlift
2. Working with Partners
3. Roads Condition
4. Mapping
1. Operations Update:
Lebanon:
The ceasefire is holding and land routes have now reopened between Syria and Lebanon. As of 28th August, UN staff travelling to and from the Masnaa border is no longer required to move in convoys. UN Staff leaving Lebanon should complete security clearance for Syria as well as internal security clearance and visa requirements for Lebanon. UN Staff arriving from Syria must have valid security clearance and visa requirements.
UNJLC deployed a commodities coordinator in Tyre as of 24th August. This logistics officer is now implementing the Joint Supply Tracking system (JST) for the Tyre hub.
Atlas Logistique will no longer manage the Rubhalls in Marjeyoun, Nabatiye, Bint Jbeil and Hasbaya. The management will be taken over by WFP through the Municipality.
The UN Logistics Cluster has engaged in ongoing negotiations with transportation companies, and a contract has now been finalized for the use of 75 trucks.
It has been advised that food donations can only be transported through the Logistic Cluster Cargo Movement Request (CMR) procedure if and when the Government of Lebanon accepts the donation. The High Relief Commission must therefore authorise any food transport before a CMR request can be filled. For all details and requests, please email: relief@pcm.gov.lb
The Lebanese High Relief Commission has provided a rough list of priorities. UNJLC will make this available once a final copy is released.
Cyprus:
The Logistics Cluster in Cyprus will be downsizing, however a core staff will be maintained to run operations and meet all needs for information and coordination. This hub can be fully reactivated should the need arise.
UNJLC will be downsizing by two staff members over the week, but will retain a sufficient presence to meet all functions which may be required.
Cargo Movements:
During the reporting week convoys reached the following areas: Hanine, Marjayoun, Nabatiye El Faouga, Beirut Hadath, Saida, Rihane, Jibaa, Jezzine, South Beirut, Tyre, Kebaa, Blida, Mhaibib, Meis El Jabal, Beit Yahuna, taire, aalma El Chaab, AitaZott, Mansouri and Kounine. Detailed information on convoys can be found on UNJLC website: www.unjlc.org/lebanon/cargo
Due to the difficulties caused by the new movement procedures requiring all vehicles to be fully equipped with communication materials (satellite telephone and GPS), the Logistics Cluster has indicated that regular commercial contracting, which does not require escorts or notifications, may be accepted as a solution.
The latest JST report is available on www.unjlc.org/lebanon/supply
Shipping:
With the ceasefire in place and repairs to the airport allowing commercial flights to recommence, the need for a passenger vessel has diminished considerably. The M/V Vittoria will therefore make her last sailing on Monday 4th September. For procedures and booking forms please refer to www.unjlc.org/lebanon/bookings
Cargo shipping has continued regularly from Cyprus to Lebanon. The Anamcara arrived in Beirut on 27th August carrying bulk wheat for the Lebanese Government.
Several non UN / Lebanese Government vessels carrying fuel, equipment and relief supplies are scheduled to arrive in Beirut over the coming days. All information on incoming vessels is available on: www.ujlc.org/lebanon.
Airlift:
WFP/UNHAS is tasking two TRANSALL C160 medium lift aircrafts from the German Air Force for rotations between Larnaca and Beirut. The aircraft have been use to carry supplies for the Lebanese High Relief Commission, UNHCR, ICRC, Emercom and THW. Rotations will continue through 8th September, with the possibility of absorbing extra cargo after this date if required. Freight can be booked (7 tons/flight volume permitting) through UNJLC, procedures and request forms are available at www.unjlc.org/lebanon. Emergency passenger seats (2) can be negotiated on a case by case basis through the Chief Air Transport Officer (CATO) with the German Liaison Officer at Larnaca Airport in Cyprus.
Repairs on runway 17/35 at Beirut international Airport are almost completed with an expected release date of 5th September. Repairs on runway 03/21 have begun, but these are expected to take longer. Repairs are ongoing on runway 16/34.
Royal Jordanian airlines have informed that it will be running three flights a day into Beirut, and Middle East Airlines has recommenced commercial flights to and from Beirut. The schedule, currently established on a week to week basis serves the Middle East as well as many locations in Europe. Further information and flight schedules are available on www.unjlc.org/lebanon
2. Working with Partners:
A successful example of the employment of partners within the activities of UN agencies has been the cooperation of UNJLC with the Technische Hilfswerk for the operation in Lebanon.
The Technisches Hilfswerk (THW)
In 1953, the Technisches Hilfswerk (Federal Agency for Technical Relief)
became the major tool for relief intervention of the Federal Republic of Germany. With 50 years of hands-on experience, it is now considered one of the most modern relief organizations worldwide. The advantage of THW is the fact that it is a 99% voluntary organization under the German Ministry of the Interior, which acts in cooperation with UN agencies on behalf of the German Government. The Federal Agency for Technical Relief is active internationally and plays a key role in the global network of global relief organizations, the United Nations, and also in cooperation within the European Union. THW is specialized in support systems for all aspects of logistial operations and construction-related issues. THW's collaboration with UNJLC began in 2003 and has resulted in several successes to date, including the mission to support the victims of the South-east Asia Tsunami in 2004 and the Pakistan Earthquake relief mission in 2005.
For the Lebanon crisis, THW is collaborating with UNJLC for the implementation of the Joint Supply Tracking (JST) system, a new database created in collaboration with UNICEF to track the pipeline and movement of NFI (Non Food Items) over the course of the operation. In the Lebanon crisis, UNJLC is collecting logistics data from all UN agencies to provide an overall picture of what is coming into and delivered through Lebanon. THW deployed 2 experts in Syria and Cyprus to support UNJLC activities mainly by:
- Participating in Logs Cluster meetings in Syria and Cyprus to assist in the coordination of logistics activities and provide key operational support to the mission;
- Collecting data for the JST system from all actors involved in the relief operation via Cargo Movement Request forms (CMR), and incorporating this data into the JST system.
3. Roads condition:
DFID has been providing bailey bridges to help ease current transport problems due to the loss of infrastructures. The first batch arrived in Larnaca on August 28th and was shipped on the Anamcara from Limassol on 31st August.
A team of French engineers arrived in Lebanon last week and have started building temporary bridges on highways south of Beirut, while Government crew have started filling in craters on bombed out roads.
4. Mapping:
UNJLC/GIS officers in Lebanon are continuing the production of maps to support all participants in the Lebanon Relief Operation. New maps include a Lebanon Transport Overview, the Southern Lebanon Delivery Overview and a map of Unsafe Areas in Beirut's Southern Suburbs.
A new series of Hazard to Movement maps has been produced with the most current information from UNMACC SL. Districts/caza covered are: Bent Jbail, Chouf, Hasbaya, Jezzine, Mariaayoun, Nabatiyeh, Rachaiya, Saisa, Tyre, West Bekaa, Baalbek and Zahle.
A complete catalogue of maps is available on www.unjlc.org/lebanon/maps.