RESPONSE ACTIVITIES & CONSTRAINTS
As of 19 June, 8,733 metric tons of humanitarian cargo has been processed by the Logistics Cluster on behalf of 110 UN agencies, INGOs and NGOs. Over 9,320 m2 of storage capacity is available for the humanitarian community in logistics centres strategically established across the country. The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has carried out 1,423 sorties to 105 different locations. Four UNHAS-operated MI8 helicopter have been dedicated to cargo and passengers transport while two AS 350 helicopters are available for assessment missions and evacuations. Air assets remain a priority to reach most of the remote locations due to blocked roads and damaged bridges. To facilitate last mile transport into diffi cult to access and high altitude locations, a three-phase project is being rolled out in fi ve districts (Gorkha, Sindupalchok, Dolokha, Dhading and Rasuwa). Trails are being rehabilitated and used to transport relief goods by traditional methods using porters and pack animals, complementing ongoing road and air transport efforts.
The Kathmandu Airport is the sole international air entry point into Nepal, and although operational, congestion was experienced at the beginning of the relief operations, when large amounts of relief items arrived. To facilitate processing of relief cargo, a staging area at Kathmandu Airport was set up, connected with a network of logistics hubs established strategically across the affected districts.
With the start of the monsoon season, trail conditions are expected to deteriorate, slowing down both rehabilitation efforts and last mile transport using porters. Air capacity will be hampered by weather conditions during the monsoon. The Logistics Cluster is working together with the Government of Nepal and relevant authorities to clarify the evolving custom procedures to facilitate smooth cross border operations on behalf of the humanitarian community.