Situation Report: 12 August 2006
Recovery
UNDP Early Recovery planning is progressing in a steady pace. A meeting was chaired yesterday by the UNDP Resident Representative, including UNDP managers of the Programme Advisory units at several key line ministries and two representatives from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). Guidelines of early recovery were discussed, and it was again reiterated that the government will be leading the process supported by UNDP. This would be through an early recovery unit to be established at the PMO. The inter ministerial unit will ensure a synchronized, and prioritized initiation of early recovery activities immediately following a ceasefire.
Support to and coordination with the Government of Lebanon
High Relief Committee (HRC)
At the request of the Director of the High Relief Commission, UNDP organized a coordination meeting between the Director and heads of all UN agencies (OCHA, WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, UNHCR, UNRWA, WFP). Representatives of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated as well. The primary purpose of the meeting was to outline the Government of Lebanon’s priorities in humanitarian operations and insure synergy between the UN body and the HRC relief efforts. Main minutes of the meeting are as follows:
Forward Planning
• The HRC coordinator requested UN agencies to provide a forward plan of all agencies with planning targets that may be updated regularly. The aim is to ensure synergy between the efforts of UN agencies and the HRC.
• The ability of the UN to organize relief efforts in areas not accessible to the Government of Lebanon (GOL) due to the conflict and Israeli blockades was emphasized and the need to coordinate relief efforts in these areas discussed.
• Discussion of the need to strike a balance between programme need and logistics in designating allocations of convoy destinations.
Past Activities
• The HRC requested that the different UN agencies past dispatches with end destinations. The resuest is also to include any material sent by other NGOs through UN convoys. The information will be posted on the HRC’s website as well as the virtual hic.
Customs
• Customs clearance was agreed to be a primary issue and should become automatic. NGO should be included in this process.
• The HRC requested a copy of the cargo manifest 24 hours prior to arrival.
• The problems of vehicles arriving in Arida/coastal north without papers was discussed. HRC suggested that if the papers are available the GOL can arrange for a three month temporary registration for each vehicle.
• The HRC is creating a system to monitor NGOs
Interagency Data Assessment
• Interagency assessment form prepared by the data management team has been distributed through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Affairs. Data entry will commence in two days.
Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA)
• Coordination over shelter issues and the provision of NGO lists.
Focal Points
• The HRC requested that each agency appoint a focal point to address all issues related to the HRC. From its end, the HRC has designated Maha Yahya and Raya el Hassan as general focal points based at the UN (UNDP) and in the Prime Minister’s office respectively and will assign sector focal points.
Government of Lebanon (GOL) Priorities
Main priorities identified by the GOL today are:
• Safe Passages: the need for wider windows for the safe passage convoys
• Fuel and Gasoline Ships: requested that all efforts focus on getting permission for the “Gulf Nomad” ship that can transport both gasoline and gas oil. The ship is to be accompanied by a US naval vessel. The ship would need 42 hours to unload from the time of docking.
• Delivery of goods in Tyre: Due to significantly deteriorated condition there is a need for smaller trucks to deliver goods from Tyre. Coordination with ICRC is taking place through WFP.
• Shelter: No prefabicated housing is to be considered. Infrastructure preparation of particular sites is taking place and tents are ready once there is a need for them.
• Health:
o More coordination needed to address fuel shortages in hospitals.
o The Ministry is putting together a list if its doctors in the Qadas and numbers that internally displaced persons (IDP) can contact.
o The Ministry is to provide HRC with a list of medical shortages so as to direct requests in that direction.
o Water shortage outlined
o Need for mobile clinics rather than unnecessary medications
o A map of health centers and IDP centers will be produced by UNDP data management team.
Data management and support to UN Agencies
Points from Data Management Meeting on 10 August
• Rapid Assessment forms have been distributed through the Ministries of Education and Social Affairs. Data should be arriving through the HCR by Friday. UNWRA provided Assessment form for two UNWRA school with Lebanese IDPs.
• The UNHCR sponsored Intervention Referral Form was distributed to all members. UNHCR has received some comments with additional comments due shortly. The HRC will review the form and will comment on current GOL intervention procedures at the next meeting.
• All agencies that have data, assessments, maps, contact lists, meetings of minutes or GIS products are requested to send electronic files to hic.lebanon@gmail.com.
Lebanon
