Logistics CLUSTER Meeting Minutes

Logistics CLUSTER Meeting Minutes

Logistics CLUSTER Meeting Minutes

17 Oct 2007, 11.30hrs

Location: WFP office, Kampala

Flood emergency response

ATTENDEES

WVI, CESVI, IFRC, WFP, UNICEF, OXFAM GB, and WFP Logistics Cluster Lead and Air Operations.

DRAFT AGENDA

  • Operational update from organisations
  • Air Operations update
  • Brief on the funding situation for the Logistics Cluster
  • Customs and clearance information
  • AOB

UPDATE FROM THE LOGS CLUSTER

  • Funding update. The WFP led Logistics Cluster briefed the meeting on the current funding situation for the WFP Special Operation (SO) which is paying for the Logistics Cluster activities. To date the SO has received a little over 1.7 million USD confirmed contributions of the 4.9 million USD sought. That leaves the operation only 36% funded. WFP is exploring funding sources and might be able to take a loan from WFP. At the same time an ECHO proposal has been submitted asking for 1,075,000 Euros. With the air operation in full swing money is being spent fast and thus additional assets are needed.
  • After receiving quires in regard to customs and clearance procedures, the Logistics Cluster has been in contact with the Ugandan Revenue Authority and the Office of the Prime Minister seeking information. According to the information gathered to date, if an organization is importing goods for the flood response they should be allowed in without having to pay duty. Attached you will find a brief on procedures and contact details.
  • In order to facilitate planning of air operations, organizations must fill in a Cargo Movement Request (CMR) as far in advance as possible to ensure cargo dispatches can be planned for. Please find attached the updated CMR form.

OPERATIONAL UPDATE FROM ORGANISATIONS

IFRC: Has mobilized household kits for 20,000 families and to date distributed these kits to 9800 families. They will continue to rely on the WFP/UNHAS air operations to move some of their cargo. They wish to complete their distributions by the end of October. IFRC is ready to start distributions of water and sanitation NFIs. As part of a livelihoods project they will distribute seeds and tools. IFRC continues to operate warehouses out of Soroti and now Katakwi. They have appreciated road condition updates produced by UNJLC for the Logistics Cluster and look forward to receiving more of those as it helps in their planning. A logistics officer has arrived and will be based in Soroti. Thus IFRC will no longer have a logistics presents in Kampala.

UNICEF: With WFP setting up an additional storage facility in Katakwi, UNICEF wishes to have access to that tent although they do no have additional staff that can manage the NFI portion of the warehouse. UNICEF has been sending NFIs to Soroti from Lira and Kampala for distribution in the flood effected areas. They have 200 water tanks to be distributed to area schools, along with tents.

CESVI: Is an implementing partner working with UNICEF. While they have no plans to bring in NFIs of their own, theyare engaged in water sanitation distribution of UNICEF supplied NFIs in Pader and Bukedea.CESVI reported that the road from Lira to Pader is still problematic and while the government is busy grading the road, they are not compacting it at the same time.

WFP: Is distribution food to two categories of beneficiaries, 1. those directed effected by the flood and located in Teso Region and 2. Those effected indirectly by the flood, mostly IDPs located in the north of the country, and cut off by flood damage to roads and bridges. WFP uses both road and air to distribute food to their beneficiaries. Whenever possible road is preferred over air. They are also involved in road rehabilitation and have hired an engineer who is working closely with the Minister of Works to identify and then rehab sections of road. The priorities for road rehab are Kitgum, Gulu, and Pader. WFP is also looking at hiring a barge to cross LakeBasina. A temporary warehouse has been set up in Katakwi.

WFP/UNHAS: Three MI 8 helicopters are now on the ground in Soroti and are available to transport both food and NFIs. These helicopters have a 2.2mts payload. To date 34mts of NFI and 92mts of food have been delivered to various locations. An AN 12 air craft is positioned in Gulu doing air drops of food for WFP. 13 rotations have been done since the weekend and 170mts of food dropped. Although there was a plan to bring additional air assets and base them out of Entebbe, at present that is on hold unless the demand for air assistance increases.

OXFAM GB:Working in Elgon area and have set up a base and team there. An appeal has been made for a 6 monthproject for early recovery. That appeal includes water and sanitation projects and seeds and tool distributions. To date they have distributed blankets and tarpaulins to 5000 families. Assessment teams are in the field and continuing to gather information. The arrival of water and sanitation equipment is expected this week. They have logistics staff in Soroti and will soon set up a sub-office in Kumi.

World Vision International: Active in the Teso Region and based out of Soroti. To date they have distributed 1200 NFI kits. WVI has also distributed food for WFP as they are an implementing partner. Pending funding WVI wishes to engage in water and sanitation projects for latrines building and hand washing tanks. They have also planned for seed and tool distributions. WVI asked WFP if warehouse facilities would be available in Elgon, the answer, not for the foreseeable future.

AOB

  • Website– condition maps and other updates can be found on this site.
  • Do to operations shifting to Soroti, Logistics Clustermeetings in Kampala are no longer needed ever week. Thus the next meeting will be convened when the operation demands.

CONTACTS FOR LOGISTICS CLUSTER

  • Soroti, logistics cluster: Hugo VanVuuren, , Mob 0772 701001
  • Soroti, GIS & mapping: CJ Hendrix, , Mob 0772 711283
  • Soroti, prioritization and reporting: Iain Paterson, , Mob 0772711279
  • Kampala, logistics cluster: Kevin Howley, Mob 0772 711267
  • Kampala, air operations,Asfaw Ayelign, , Mob 0772711281

ATTACHMENTS

  • Logistics cluster contact list (incl. Soroti contacts)
  • Customs Brief
  • Temporary Storage Request and Commodity Movement Request. Both of these forms can also be collected from the Logistics Cluster office in Soroti.
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