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GAZA CRISIS SITUATION REPORT DATE: 20 March 2009 WEEK: 14 – 20 March 2009 |
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- The Coastal Municipalities Water Utility in Gaza has confirmed that six trucks containing aluminium and electrical cabling crossed into Gaza this week, in addition to 50 MT of cement through commercial channels. The equipment is needed for vital repairs to the public water and sewage infrastructure. The Humanitarian Community has been requesting approval of similar WASH items for the past two months in order to proceed with the humanitarian relief effort.
- During this week COGAT refused clearance for the following items in USAID shipments: Fortified wafers; halva; canned tuna; biscuits; matches. As reported for the week 05 -13 March, this represents a departure from previous Israeli Government policy to allow food parcels into Gaza without analysis of constituent items, and results in the entire shipment of humanitarian relief parcels being held up in the warehouse.
- As requested by the Humanitarian Community, the Logistics Cluster continues to compile information on humanitarian cargo awaiting approval by Israeli Authorities for transport to Gaza. The list of items and explanatory document include details of humanitarian cargo rejected by COGAT is posted at the following link: http://www.logcluster.org/gaza09a/supply-chain/clearance-status-of-humanitarian-cargo
- The Logistics Cluster has delivered the following cargo to Gaza, through Kerem Shalom, on behalf of 28 cluster members:
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Cargo moved into Gaza by the Logistics Cluster Transport Service 25 Jan – 19 March |
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Sector |
Number of pallets |
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SHELTER |
2720 |
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FOOD |
1464 |
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EDUCATION |
485 |
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HEALTH |
359 |
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WASH |
203 |
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NUTRITION |
1 |
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SUPPORT EQUIPMENT |
1 |
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TOTAL 5233 |
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- Jerusalem-Gaza Logistics Cluster: During the cluster meeting held on 16 March, it was agreed to invite representatives of other clusters to weekly COGAT meetings, together with the Logistics Cluster representative. The objective is to discuss humanitarian items awaiting approval for transport to Gaza, specific to each sector. The WASH Cluster and Education Cluster are the first nominees.
- Minutes of the Cluster meeting are published at: http://www.logcluster.org/gaza09a/coordination/meeting-minutes
- UN Humanitarian Agencies in Jordan, Gaza Emergency Coordination Cell (UNJGECC): Minutes ofh the meeting held on 18 March are published at: http://www.logcluster.org/gaza09a/UNJGECC/meeting-minutes/
- Pipeline information for humanitarian cargo destined for Gaza through Jordan is published at: http://www.logcluster.org/gaza09a/UNJGECC/Donations in Pipeline 2009031 9.pdf
4. INTERACTION WITH COGAT
- As agreed at the Logistics Cluster meeting 16 March, a representative of the WASH cluster attended the weekly COGAT meeting in Tel Aviv to raise key challenges facing the WASH cluster for implementation of their programmes in Gaza. The UNICEF representative made a presentation on the link between poor water quality and increased rates of water-borne diseases. The current lack of materials for infrastructure repairs is the main obstacle to improving water quality.
- USAID reported that NGO shipments containing the following items were delivered to Gaza on 10 – 12 March: Cooking oil; tea; macaroni; hand washing detergent. These items have been rejected by COGAT in previous shipments. In response to the Logistics Cluster raising this apparent contradiction, COGAT stated that every request for shipment undergoes its own inspection.
- The Logistics Cluster continued to request clearance from COGAT for transportation of UNICEF stationery items, Early childhood development kits and children’s toys; UK MAP medical equipment; FAO veterinary supplies; FAO fruit and olive trees; World Vision washing powder in hygiene kits.
- During the weekly meeting on 18 March, COGAT informed the Logistics Cluster that the toys awaiting shipment by UNICEF are not yet approved because the paint may contain lead. UNICEF had specified to the supplier that the paint should not contain lead. COGAT has yet to inspect a sample of the cargo.
- On 18 March COGAT also stated that they now have all necessary information on the MAP UK medical items and World Vision washing powder and will be able to respond on the status of clearance. These items have been ‘under review’ since 30 January 09 and 03 March 09, respectively.
- The Logistics Cluster visit to Kerem Shalom border crossing, scheduled for 17 March, was cancelled after COGAT gave last minute notification that security clearance had not been granted. The visit is rescheduled for 24 March.
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PRIORITIES FOR IMPROVING DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN RELIEF TO GAZA The Humanitarian Coordinator has shared a list of priority humanitarian cargo with the Israeli Authorities, to ensure the delivery of humanitarian relief reflects the needs of the conflict-affected communities in Gaza. The Humanitarian Community requests that the Israeli Authorities permit the delivery of food assistance; medical supplies; education equipment and other priority humanitarian relief to Gaza. This request is in accordance with the principle of non-interference as stipulated in the Framework for the Provision of Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza and the obligation to ensure the free passage of consignments of foodstuffs (Fourth Geneva Convention, Article 59). A request has been made to COGAT to clearly define the policy-level process governing approval of relief items destined for Gaza (including so-called ‘dual purpose’ items). The objective is to increase predictability for clearance of cargo and ensure transparency of process. The Logistics Cluster requests the following measures are taken to increase capacity for transfer of humanitarian relief to Gaza: – Use of sea containers for the purpose of transportation of humanitarian cargo and permission for the exit/return of empty containers. – Double-stacking pallets on trucks passing through Kerem Shalom in order to save time and increase cargo capacity. – Installation of better lighting at the Kerem Shalom crossing (Gaza side) to allow operations to continue after dark, and thus increase the timeframe for cargo pickup. |
Gaza Logistics Cluster Contacts
· Bekim Mahmuti, Head of Logistics Cluster
(bekim.mahmuti@wfp.org), mobile +972 (0) 54 677 311
· Bo Andren, Logistics Officer / Coordination with COGAT
( bo.andren@wfp.org), mobile:+972 (0)54 677 3159
· Kirstie Farmer, Information Management
(kirstie.farmer@wfp.org), mobile: + 972 (0) 54 677 3117
Document Type: Situation Report, Update
Document Sources: Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
Subject: Access and movement, Children, Food, Gaza Strip, Humanitarian relief
Publication Date: 20/03/2009