South Asia earthquake: OCHA/UNJLC logistics bottlenecks as of 21 Dec 2005

Current issues:
Security

UNHAS will be making one flight a day to Bana to help ease the situation caused by the closure of the road from Batagram to Bana for security reasons. However, UN staff are currently not permitted to stay overnight in Bana. If this ban is not lifted, the fact that there is only one flight per day with a short turnover time may well hamper operations. (Logistics Cluster meeting, 19.12.05; UNJLC 21.12.05)

Concerning the requirement for police escorts in Batagram and Bagh District: a grace period of two weeks might be granted. However, official confirmation has not yet been given. (UNJLC Islamabad, 21.12.05)

De-icing equipment

NATO and UNHAS are in contact about the possible provision of de-icing equipment. For now, UNHAS is using alternative solutions to keep helicopter operations running. (UNJLC Islamabad, 20.12.05)

Lack of female personnel

One-day health clinics have been conducted in several mountain locations as part of Operation Winter Race. However, the ability to effectively see and treat vulnerable women and children has been significantly hampered by a lack of female medical personnel, including doctors, physicians' assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses. Efforts are currently underway to assess the availability of such personnel from within those UN agencies, NGOs, and Pakistan/bilateral military units already operating in the Muzaffarabad area. (UNJLC field visit, 20.12.05)

Assessments by Pakistani Military

Feedback from the Pakistani Military units on the ground is critically needed. Excellent information is being collected by brigade commanders through their field units, who are in a good position to assess the ongoing situation in their areas of responsibility. This information is communicated to division commanders and the Federal Relief Commission (FRC). These assessments would be of great use to the UN in order to identify and resource quantified needs by specific location. UNJLC is looking into sourcing this information. (UNJLC Islamabad, 20.12.05)

Developments:

NATO assets

The NATO mission will end the 1st of February. Currently, it is not planned to leave NATO assets in the country after that date. However, discussions are ongoing between the Federal Relief Commission (FRC) and the French and German embassies on keeping the French fuel farm in Abbottabad and two of the four German helicopters tasked by UNHAS in country via bilateral agreements. The helicopters will have to leave the country end of January due to maintenance requirements, but might be replaced if a bilateral agreement is reached. (UNJLC Islamabad, 20.12.05)

Helicopter Under-Slung Load Equipment

UNHAS currently has thirty 5 MT nets, twenty 2.5 MT nets and five 18 MT nets for sling load operations. Thirty-five 5 MT nets are in customs; thirty additional 2.5 MT nets are being shipped. UNHAS operates using sling nets out of Manshera, Muzaffarabad, Abbottabad and Chatterplain. The U.S. are bringing in 14 net builders. They will work in two teams and be tasked by UNHAS for its additional requirements. (Logistics Cluster meeting, 19.12.05; UNJLC, 21.12.05)

Direct Response Teams

After discussions with UNJLC, IOM and the Shelter Cluster, the WFP Direct response Teams ('Quake Jumpers') are currently doing joint rapid assessments and call forwards for Non-Food Items (NFI) as well as food. Resources from the Direct Response, Winter Race and the Shelter Cluster are pooled for these call forwards. IOM will also send out two teams to join the WFP teams. Other organisations have shown interest in using the system as well. An information management system is currently being established to guarantee follow-up on generated data and targeting. (Logistics Cluster meeting, 19.12.05; IOM, 20.12.2005)

This Logistics Bottlenecks report is a joint product of UNJLC and OCHA. For queries or comments please contact Ingrid van Beuzekom vanbeuzekom@un.org. Sources used are: contact with UNJLC staff, ReliefWeb, minutes from cluster meetings and sitreps, Pakistan Meteorological Department, press briefings.