2014 Syrian Arab Republic Humanitarian Assistance Response Plan (SHARP)

SYRIAN ARAB REPUBLIC HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE RESPONSE PLAN 2014
The establishment of the UN Hub in Tartous, led by WFP, is another driving factor in using Safita as an important
staging area for Convoys in the coming months.
Wherever possible, trucks have been escorted by UN vehicles and personnel, facilitating access. The presence of
escorts has limited, if not prevented, diversions and losses, while crossing check-points and front-lines. The
presence of UN staff has also allowed for the monitoring of arrival of items to destinations, and an evaluation of the
situation on the ground. By focusing on fewer, specific locations, and driving through checkpoints with a certain
frequency, the Convoys have helped to build trust between UN personnel and state and aremed groups, thus
further enhancing access. However, regarding the main challenges, the cancellation and delays of convoys has
affected planning and causes an increase in costs. It must also be recognized that the Convoys are not the main
thrust of the response operation, and aim to bring focus to a specific area, leading to increased intervention by the
humanitarian community once access is established.
For transparency and accountability, the Logistics Cluster has implemented an online cargo tracking system, the
„Relief Item Tracking Application‟ (RITA), which provides the latest information to partners/donors on all cargo
handled.
The Cluster, via WFP, has transported large volumes of gender-focused items such as female hygiene and sanitary
kits, on behalf of UNICEF, UNFPA, and UNRWA. The Cluster continues to prioritize the storage and transport of
such items going into 2014, as they serve the most vulnerable populations inside Syria and also fulfil the
humanitarian community‟s responsibility to support gender programmes in the response.
Cluster Objective 1b:
To improve inter-agency logistics coordination and information management to support the humanitarian
community
Coordination and Information Management
The Logistics Cluster has established a logistics coordination forum in Damascus, Amman, and Beirut. Bi-monthly
meetings are held in Damascus, as well as monthly meetings in Amman and Beirut. Over 30 organizations (UN
agencies, INGOs, NGOs, and donor agencies) regularly attend the meetings, where participants discuss logistics
bottlenecks and develop solutions for the humanitarian response.
The Logistics Cluster produces and shares Information Management (IM) products including maps, situation
reports, fuel price analyses, infographics, customs information, and real-time flash logistics updates. To ensure a
regular and coherent flow of information to all stakeholders, relevant information is available to the humanitarian
community via a dedicated Syria Logistics Cluster webpage: www.logcluster.org/ops/syr12a
The Cluster will continue to provide updated logistics information products, focusing on continued port
assessments, flash updates on regional border crossings, warehouse capacities in the region, and maps of key
logistics infrastructure in 2014.
Cluster Objective 2a:
To provide an inter-agency UN Hub in Tartous
A major new activity for WFP, relevant to Strategic Objective 4 for Syria (“enhance the operational capacity of
national and international humanitarian responders and support existing local and community coping mechanisms”)
is the construction of an inter-agency UN Hub in Tartous. As per the decision of the United Nations Humanitarian
Country Team (UNHCT) in Syria, WFP Logistics staff in Tartous will implement the project. So far, land has been
identified, and the area has been cleared by the UNDSS Security Assessment Report. After final clearance from
the UN Country Team (UNCT), construction will commence. The estimated completion time is three months from
the start date of construction. Keeping in mind the required procurement of supplies, permits, and the approaching
winter season, the target date for the completion of this Hub is May 2014.
For capacity building in 2013, the Cluster donated 20 trucks to the Syrian Arab Red Crescent. The trucks were
handed over to SARC on 12 November. With the continuously deteriorating situation in Syria, which has severely
limited the availability of commercial transporters, the donation of these trucks will enhance SARC‟s capacity and
allow it to fill logistics gaps where transport by private companies is not possible. Each truck has a capacity of
approximately 8 -10 metric tons of humanitarian cargo, and can be loaded by SARC in its own warehouses for
direct dispatch and delivery of life-saving items to affected populations in the country. Spare parts have been also
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