The Logistics Cluster, when activated in an emergency, is responsible for providing logistics coordination, information management and, where there is a gap in logistics infrastructure, it acts as a ‘Provider of Last Resort’ by offering common logistics services to support the humanitarian community in their response operations.
Logistics Coordination, Information Management and GIS
The Logistics Cluster was formally activated on 27 April.
Logistics Cluster Cells have been established in Kathmandu, Deurali and Chautara. Meetings are held on a regular basis in all locations in order to maximise the use of available resources, avoid duplication of efforts and allow an uninterrupted flow of relief material.
Information is disseminated on a daily basis both through the mailing list of organisations on the ground and via the Logistics Cluster website: http://logcluster.org/ops/nepal.
129 Information Management (IM) products and updates have been published and 10,100 unique users have visited the site, producing 16,800 page views. 750 users are currently subscribed to the dedicated mailing list.
The Logistics Cluster has a dedicated GIS officer able to take requests from the humanitarian community for logistics mapping. Relevant maps are available for download on the Logistics Cluster website, including a road access map, a map of helicopter landing zones to assist air operations, and district trekking trail maps to facilitate porter operations and repairs.
From the start of the operation, the Logistics Cluster established regular coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to avoid logistics bottlenecks, and a government representative has been made available to advise the humanitarian community on customs procedures in Kathmandu.
As of 20 June, over 250 participants from around 110 organisations have attended coordination meetings in Kathmandu, Deurali and Chautara.