1    HIGHLIGHTS
2    SECURITY/ACCESS
3    LOGISTICS GENERAL
4    EMERGENCY SHELTER/NON-FOOD ITEMS
5    SURFACE TRANSPORT
6    AIR OPERATIONS
7    RIVER TRANSPORT
8    FUEL

1. HIGHLIGHTS

UNJLC Convoy to Darfur: The UNJLC-facilitated convoy left Khartoum for Darfur on 24 September composed of twenty four vehicles from twelve different organisations, passing through El Fasher, Nyala and arriving in El Geneina on 10 October. The Darfur section of the trip was completed with full AU escort. This is UNJLC's third convoy this year.

Darfur Insecurity: The overall security situation throughout Darfur remains extremely fragile, with no immediate signs of improvement. The international community has found itself increasingly targeted resulting in a decreased capacity to deliver humanitarian assistance due to inaccessibility. Continued attacks on commercial trucks are having major implications on the delivery of NFIs and other humanitarian cargo.

2. SECURITY/ACCESS

Darfur
Continuing Insecurity: Incidents of ambushing of commercial and humanitarian vehicles in all regions of Darfur have increased over the reporting period. OCHA has released an updated map of humanitarian access in Darfur, showing increasing inaccessibility. See the HIC website - www.humanitarianinfo.org/darfur. Go to Map Centre, Humanitarian Access NEW! and Darfur Humanitarian Access 24 Sep 06.

North Darfur: Travel to Tina, Tabarat and Korma is not advised. Most roads in North Darfur are category 'C'. UN "no go" roads are the following: Kutum-Korma, Tawilla-Korma, Om (Kabkabiya road) -Korma, Kabkabiya-Jebel Marra, El Al Nageb-Jebel Marra. Category change for Al Sarief-Saraf Omra to 'C'. Boundary of El Fasher-Tine across to Mellit-El Fasher is now category 'C' with three vehicles minimum.

West Darfur: An assessment of the accessibility and security situation on major roads in the state has taken place with results to be published accordingly. Currently, all roads remain category 'D' (high risk) except the Morni-Umshalaya road which is categorised as 'C' (medium risk). Helicopters are being used to conduct activities.

South Sudan
General Insecurity: Inter-clan fighting continues to affect transport. Due to recent ambushes, the following road restrictions are in force:

Source: UNMIS Regional Security Southern Sudan (Juba)

Security Map: A map illustrating road restrictions in South Sudan may be acquired from the UNDSS office in Juba by e-mail: undss.southsudan@undp.org.
(For updated security information, particularly on 'no-go' areas, organisations must contact their local UNDSS representatives.)
 
Rest of Sudan Access: The UN has continued efforts to clarify the situation with GOS on the issue of unimpeded access beyond Port Sudan and Kassala Town. Despite some progress, several locations still remain an issue.
Landmines: Twenty three people were killed in two separate landmine incidents in eastern Sudan, the first between Hameshkoreib and Kassala city and the second in the Abu Gamul area near Kassala city. The Governor of Kassala State has initiated a specialised team to survey for landmines throughout the border areas in Kassala State.

3. LOGISTICS GENERAL

Sudan-Wide
UNJLC Logistics Coordination Meetings: UNJLC holds weekly/fortnightly meetings in Khartoum, El Fasher, El Geneina, Nyala and Juba. A monthly logistics coordination meeting in also held in Zalingei. All interested parties are encouraged to attend.  For information, please contact julie.spooner.@wfp.org or the local UNJLC Logistics Officer.
The October meeting schedule is:

*UNJLC in El Geneina now operates bi-weekly Helicopter User Group meetings. In October, these will take place on 10th and 24th at 1000. For further details, please contact Neil Barriskell at neil.barriskell@wfp.org.

In addition, UNJLC operates two email lists for North and South Sudan for the sharing of logistics related information - sudan.logs@unjlc.org and southsudan.logs@unjlc.org. Those interested in joining should send an email to the list.

UNJLC Field Contacts:
North Darfur -El Fasher: Sedick Toffa -Sedick.Toffa@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912160884, VHF call sign FL 1. Araki Ibrahim - Araki.Ibrahim@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912169495, VHF call sign FL311
South Darfur -Nyala: Fionnuala Lucey - fionnuala.lucey@wfp.org , +249 912174731, VHF call sign NL 1. Jaromir Sliwinski -Jaromir.Sliwinski@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912529835, VHF call sign NL 3. Adil Kamoun: Adil.Kamoun@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912170732, VHF call sign NL 2.
West Darfur -El Geneina: Neil Barriskell - Neil.Barriskell@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912172159, +882 165 119 4845, VHF call sign GL 3.
South Sudan - Juba:  Robert Sepe - Robert.Sepe@wfp.org, +249 734 333119, +88 2161 2111 7673, VHF call sign JL 1.
Mareng Deng - Mareng.Deng@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912174732, VHF call sign JL 2.1 and Scott Sweet - scott.sweet@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912167734, VHF call sign JL 4.
Scott Sweet is the UNJLC GIS Focal Point.

Rainy Season: Having reached their northern-most peak, the rains are now retreating. By early-November the dry season should set in over most IDP and refugee areas in Darfur and eastern Chad. Seasonal rains will continue over the far southern regions of South Darfur and southern Chad. (FEWSNET)
See image1 for Cumulative Rainfall: March - 31 August, 2006. 

Darfur
Logistics Situation: In September, inaccessibility due to insecurity has affected humanitarian activities, particularly in West Darfur but also in large parts of North and South Darfur. Road conditions have also hampered some NFI deliveries. Commercial trucks have largely continued to operate, albeit with restrictions, in spite of the above constraints and despite an increasing trend of targets on such vehicles.

South Sudan
Common Warehousing:  UNJLC has extended its survey to determine aggregate storage space needed for Juba-based NGOs, due to a low response. However, preliminary results show that, of eleven NGOS who did respond, eight requested common warehousing with a total of 9,807 cubic metres required. Two options have been suggested by UNJLC - either UN-run common warehousing, or commercial businesses providing warehousing to the community. Securing land is still an issue, making the commercial options with land already allocated currently more viable than the UN-run common warehouse option. UNJLC will provide specific information of commercial options to those responding NGOs and facilitate introductions and access to warehouses currently under construction, although costing is not yet available. It is hoped that the eventual operation of these commercial options will convince NGOs operating out of Kenya of the increasing level of humanitarian infrastructure in Juba. The option of a UN funded warehousing run through a private entrepreneur is being explored, although specific funding of this option is yet to be clarified.
 
Customs: A strike by GOSS customs employees throughout the South took place in late September in protest against the GOS' aim to enforce its (significantly higher) customs tarifs schedule in the South. GOS currently charges 40% -100% tariffs as compared to GOSS charges of 4% - 40%, depending on the value of the shipment. The Minister for Finance, GOSS is currently negotiating a formal agreement with the North to leave the South's tariff system as is.

USAID Contract: USAID has awarded the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS) a one-year, $31.85-million contract to improve infrastructure in Southern Sudan. The contract will support the building of roads, bridges, health facilities, and other vital structures to support economic growth and recovery. By the end of October, USAID expects to award another, larger-scale contract designed to support further expansion of transportation, social, and economic infrastructure. (Sudan Tribune)

Rest of Sudan
Infrastructure and Development: A Qatari Real Estate firm and the Sudanese government has signed a deal to develop a tourist and residential complex in Khartoum on the banks of the Blue Nile. Over half the office space has already being sold to local and foreign companies. (Sudan Tribune)

4. EMERGENCY SHELTER & NON-FOOD ITEMS

Sudan-Wide
Workplan: UNJLC serves as the sector leader for NFI & Emergency Shelter as part of the UN and Partner Workplan 2007. Through work plan meetings with UN agencies and NGOs, UNJLC initiated planning to create the framework in which all NFI and emergency shelter operations will be defined for 2007. Drafts of the Sector plan have identified three main areas for objectives: 1 - provision of NFIs to support emergency response and assist returnees, IDPs and vulnerable populations, 2 - NFI Coordination, 3 - Capacity Building of Sudanese distribution mechanisms.

Darfur
UNJLC Darfur NFI Coordinator: Alister Shields is the Darfur NFI Coordinator for UNJLC and can be reached at Alister.Shields@wfp.org, +249 (0) 912391044.

Distribution of Common Pipeline NFIs: The following agencies reached 26,063 households with NFIs in September: IRC, ACF, Merlin, OCHA, SDCO, Women's Improve Development, World Vision International, Fatma Elzahra Organisation, Rehaid El-Fursan Rural Development, SCF US and Community Building Foundation. The commodities were 17,917 blankets, 309 pieces of women's clothing, 5,583 pieces of plastic sheeting, 23,012 sleeping mats, 23,469 jerry cans, and 40,076 pieces of sanitary material. Distributions took place in the following locations: South Darfur - Adilla, Buram, El Deain, Khor Abeche, Neitega, Nyala Town, Otash, Sakalee and Sheriya South; North Darfur - Al Salam, Dar El Salam, Shadad and Shangil Tobayi. Due to the decrease in regular distributions, the Darfur NFI Common Pipeline additionally supported community projects by providing items to schools, latrines, training centres, health clinics and orphans in children's centres.

Women's Clothing: New stocks of topes are expected to arrive by mid December, although current stocks are adequate due to decreased distribution as a result of insecurity. 

Distribution Reports: Organisations distributing CP NFIs are reminded that they are required to complete Distribution Reports and submit them to UNJLC.

Monitoring and Evaluation:  According to CARE's August NFI Monitoring Report, IDPs again voted plastic sheeting as the most useful NFI currently being distributed (96%), followed by women's clothing (89%) and jerry cans (85%). Mosquito nets were voted as the most urgently needed NFI (43%) not currently being distributed, followed by barrels (25%) and cooking utensils (21%). The full report is available at http://www.unjlc.org/sudan/supply_chain/reports/monitoring.

NFI Common Pipeline Stocks as of 26 August, 2006

*The "Number of Households" column shows the projected number of households that could be covered with the total stock. Please see the complete Darfur NFI Common Pipeline tracking document at http://www.unjlc.org/sudan/supply_chain/pipeline_overview.
 
Donations/Loans to the CP: Organisations are reminded that if they donate NFIs to the CP, the CP will cover the cost of transportation from El Obeid to distribution points. Agencies/NGOs can then access the NFI CP for distribution, if the target population meets CP standards.

Other Pipelines: Information on other NFI pipelines and distributions is vital to ensure comprehensive coverage. All supply managers/NFI coordinators are therefore requested to contact Alister Shields at Alister.Shields@wfp.org with information on their NFI activities.

North Darfur
Assessments: UNJLC and OCHA sent an assessment team to Dar el Salaam. As a result, NFIs are to be distributed by ACF to 156 households.

South Darfur
Distributions: UNJLC facilitated the delivery of 125 pieces of plastic sheeting for OCHA to be flown in on UNMIS helicopter to Cesseban as part of an emergency response for IDPs affected by rains. UNJLC has released NFIs as replenishment for 3,017 households in Otash Camp to IDPs. Also approved was the release of NFIs to 150 newly arrived households deemed as extremely vulnerable in the camp, pending further assessment by OCHA. A full basket of NFIs was distributed from the Common Pipeline to 1,839 households in Ed El Fursan. Some trucks heading for Buram are still unable to access the area due to the rains with distributions affected to more than 3,000 households.

West Darfur
Distributions have not taken place this month in West Darfur due to insecurity. As a result of adequate stocks of women's clothing, UNJLC was able to loan Concern 200 topes following the theft of such items from their warehouse in Mornei, West Darfur.  

UNJLC Assessments:  A multi-agency assessment was carried out comprised of UNJLC, OCHA and UNMIS at Krenik mid-month. The most needed NFIs were kitchen equipment, clothes and soap. This will be looked into by UNJLC and discussed with SC-US and UNICEF. A one-day joint assessment mission was undertaken by UNJLC, OCHA, UNMIS Human Rights, UNHCR and Concern to Jebel Moon, specifically Falco and Kandar villages. A full NFI distribution is required in Falco with Kandar village being observed as in possession of plentiful supplies of NFIs, including plastic sheeting and mosquito nets.

South Sudan
NFI Coordination: Robert Sepe is the UNJLC NFI Coordinator for South Sudan. He can be reached at Robert.sepe@wfp.org. and +249 734 333119, +88 2161 2111 7673. Please refer to the meeting schedule. 

UNJLC is the sector co-lead with World Vision.

NFI Distribution: UNICEF distributed plastic sheeting to 35 households whose houses were destroyed in Aweil Town due to the recent heavy rains.
(OCHA)

Rest of Sudan (ROS)
 NFI Coordination: Sarah McNiece is the UNJLC NFI Coordinator for non-Darfur North Sudan. She can be reached at Sarah.mcniece@wfp.org and +249 912170728, +249 187089433.

5. SURFACE TRANSPORT

Darfur Road Conditions: The effect of rains throughout the region has continued throughout the month to hamper deliveries and restrict general movement.

Convoy: The UNJLC-facilitated light vehicle convoy was successfully completed during the reporting period, composed of twenty four vehicles from twelve different agencies. There were however some minor problems on departure, including some agencies not having travel permits, ID cards for their drivers and/or agency flags. During the journey, problems were encountered with some drivers picking up passengers en route. Full compliance of UNJLC/UNDSS regulations are imperative for all agencies and their drivers to ensure the safety of all participants. Future convoys are anticipated pending the security situation. Organisations interested in joining UNJLC- facilitated convoys should contact unjlc.khartoum@wfp.org. The form is available at http://www.unjlc.org/sudan/transport/land/light_vehicle_con voys.

North Darfur: The Fasher-Nyala road is closed from Zam-Zam onwards due to Wadi levels.

South Darfur: Commercial trucks hired by CARE to transport NFIs from the CP to Buram are still experiencing difficulties en route in terms of accessibility. CARE and UNJLC are actively working to resolve the situation.

South Sudan
Sobat River: The GOSS Minister of Transport, Roads and Bridges has called on the French government to construct a bridge over the Sobat River, emphasising the strategic importance of the route for the GOSS. The request has received initial consent from the French authorities in Juba. (Sudan Vision)

Road Conditions: A section of the road from the North to Unity state (280 km from Rubkona) and the road to Leer, (after Mirmir) were washed away by floods. These are crucial roads bringing in merchandise to the state. The road from El Obeid to Bentiu has now been reopened, resulting in an increase in the flow of commodities and population to Bentiu. In Northern Bahr el Ghazal, most roads connecting Aweil town with the rest of the State remain impassable due to heavy rains and flooding rivers with the only accessible road from Aweil town to Nyamlel in Aweil West. This is causing difficulties in coordination and implementation of humanitarian assistance. In Central Equatoria, access continues to be hampered by road conditions. The main trunk road linking Yei and Kaya has several damaged bridges, although heavily loaded commercial trucks continue to use the road. As a result, traffic has been disrupted between the Ugandan border and Juba, the main supply route from East Africa into Southern Sudan.
 
Road Conditions Map: UNJLC GIS has created a rainy season road conditions report. UNMOs, road engineers, and WFP field stations feed into this report, although it is hoped that increased circulation will result in more input. It will be shared with the community via the South Sudan logistics e-mail list, from the UNJLC Juba office and in the OCHA-Juba conference room.

Rest of Sudan (ROS)
Railways:  The GOS is studying a long-term plan to rehabilitate the Railways Corporation, with a view to encouraging the private sector to operate in this field. The Ministry of Transport, Roads and Bridges has presented a report on the performance and rehabilitation process with the Council of Ministers assuring its commitment to providing all the requirements for enhancement of the Railways Corporation as a low cost and high capacity transport option. Plans will be in three stages: 2007 -2010, 2011 - 2016 and 2017 - 2026. (Sudan Tribune)

6. AIR OPERATIONS

Sudan Wide Updated Flight Schedules: UNMIS and WFP-HAS updated flight schedules can be found at http://www.unjlc.org/sudan/transport/air/schedules.

WFP-HAS Fleet: The total current WFP-HAS fleet consists of:  
Khartoum: Two Dash-8s, three B-1900s, one B-200, one C208
El Obeid: One C208, one OL-72, one AN-12
Nyala: One C208, two M18 Helicopters
El Fasher: One M18 Helicopter
Geneina: One M18 Helicopter
Wau: One C208
Juba: Two C208
Lokichoggio: Two Dash-8s, two Buffalos, seven C208s
Rumbek: Two Twin Otters, one Dornier
Funding has been approved for two extra helicopters. These are expected to arrive in Darfur by the end of October.

UNMIS Passenger Flights and Cargo Transport: UNMIS posts the manifests for its passenger flights at 1600 the day before on the UNMIS intranet. UNMIS has two cargo flights daily El Obeid to Juba (20MT capacity). Organisations can apply to ship cargo on those flights on a space available basis. There is capacity of up to 1 MT on UNMIS passenger flights, depending on the location. Items are more likely to be transported if divided into 25kg boxes. To apply for UNMIS Air, Rail, Surface and Barge Service spare cargo capacity, fill out the UNMIS Request Form (CMR) on http://www.unjlc.org/sudan/transport/air/cargo_passenger/ and submit to the UNJLC office for authorisation. Forms should then be submitted to UNMIS Movcon for processing between 0800 and 1300. UNMIS cannot accept any CMR for cargo less than 20KG since small packages can more easily be lost.

Darfur
WFP-HAS: Due to high demand for helicopter flights as a result of insecurity and the current reduced helicopter flight schedule, UNJLC continues to assist WFP-HAS with prioritisation of passengers for helicopter flights in West Darfur as capacity increases. UNJLC is working with WFP-HAS and the humanitarian community on options for cargo and passenger transport to ensure the continuation of humanitarian operations despite logistical impediments. The new UNMIS helicopter has arrived in El Geneina and is now operational. A decision as to who will be funding the helicopter pads has yet to be taken. Regular helicopter user group meetings have been set up in El Geneina with UNJLC in a coordinating role. NGOs, UNMIS and UNHAS are to be involved. (See meeting schedule).

NFI Flights: There has not been a regular 2006 schedule for WFP-HAS NFI cargo flights to Darfur. However, the WFP-HAS small cargo service (25 kg/package up to 100 kg total) is still available to North and South Sudan. Interested organisations should contact WFP-HAS at dominic.waldron@wfp.org or kennedy.ooro@wfp.org. Organisations can also transport items through UNMIS on a space-available basis. Please contact UNJLC for details at unjlc.khartoum@wfp.org. An updated list of commercial options for air cargo transport is now available on the UNJLC website at www.unjlc.org

South Sudan
Juba Airport Administration: The issue of waiving landing fees for humanitarian flights is currently being discussed between the UN and the Ministry of Transport in Juba, in order to encourage increased usage of the airport. UNHAS has received a provisional agreement from the GOSS for prefab hangars to be erected at the airport, tentatively for October or November.
 
Repairs to Airstrips: UNHAS, with UNJLC support, is currently compiling a list of airfields by state to be sent out through the OCHA/RC coordination offices to each state, in order to identify the three priority airfields for maintenance repairs. Landmine clearance in order to extend the runway at Juba Airport is being prioritised, along with the installation of periphary fencing, although procuring supplies for the latter is still an issue for local authorities. The WFP Food for Work Programme at Bor airstrip is proceeding although progress is slow. Money is available for the long-term rehabilitation of the airfield, with a WFP assessment to take place before submission of a proposal. A TOR for NGOs concerning their maintenance of airfields in Southern Sudan is to be issued by UNHAS stating exact standards expected. 

Juba Based Air Cargo Survey: The results of the UNJLC Air Cargo Survey indicate that total Air Cargo requirements are 462 cubic metres, corresponding to 99,100 kg. The survey was initiated through the OATG (flight coordination group in South Sudan) to show a snapshot of needs from October to December 2006 and has been collated by UNJLC. Anyone with further information should contact Rob Sepe at Robert.Sepe@wfp.org.

UN-HAS Flights: While most WFP-HAS flights are on a per-request basis, there are some fixed flights. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday, WFP-HAS flies Loki-Juba-Rumbek-Juba-Loki. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, WFP-HAS flies Loki-Juba-Rumbek-Malakal-Rumbek-Juba-Loki. As of mid-October, it will be possible to make flight bookings in Juba. Forms can currently be picked up in UNJLC office in Juba and are available on www.unjlc.org.

7. RIVER/SEA TRANSPORT

Kuwait Invests in River Transport: The Kuwaiti Aref Investment Company has become the biggest shareholder of the Sudanese River Transport Company (SRTC) which operates in the field of passenger and commodity transport between North and South Sudan. The newly-established SRTC has obtained five ports along the Nile. The Kuwaiti company plans to raise current transport capabilities by increasing the number of river transport lines and providing logistic services, such as storage and fuel services.  (Xinhua)

Utilisation of River Transport: The GOSS has called on the governors of the ten states of Southern Sudan to formulate a policy for the management of natural resources especially water, emphasising the importance of formulating policies to allow maximum use of the river for transport.

River Routes: In South Sudan, river routes between Canal Mouth and Tonga, Upper Nile, have been reduced to Level 2, effective 22 September. The river on stretches Malakal - Phom el Zeraf - Diel - Old Fangak (Jonglei) is categorised as Level 3 with movement to be cleared by the DDO through UNDSS.

8. FUEL

Darfur
Fuel: Fuel shortages across Darfur now appear largely to have been addressed with no serious issues reported. Price increases have, however, caused several protests countrywide.
South Sudan Shortages: Fuel shortages appear largely to have been resolved over the reporting period.

Fuel Prices: 
September Average Diesel Prices in Sudan (SD per L)

Source: UNJLC

See images 2 for an overview on the Diesel Price Trends in Northern Sudan (SD per L)