Rwanda UN Logistics – Sept 1994

We are unable to book in as the pallet with the equipment has caused a problem. Both sets of paperwork supplied have been lost, misplaced, stolen or are otherwise unavailable. The Officer in charge of the cargo loading had, therefore, ordered that the pallet and the boxes should be opened and checked for dangerous substances. They were questioning the toilet fluid and hexamine [fuel tablets for cooking stoves]. As they had also cut all the ratchet straps instead of opening them, they were unable to repackage the equipment and had, therefore, decided that the team would be unable to make the flight on time.

The team members repacked all items and the pallet was placed in the sterile area prior to going onto the aircraft. It was noted that the new weight was almost 300lbs below the original weight logged on arrival, initially assumed to be a paperwork error – it was later found to be due to the loss of some fuel cans and rations.

The team is finally transported to Entebbe on a C141

6th August 1994

Contact is established with UNHCR in Geneva and we are informed that the team will be required to travel to Bukavu, establish a communications link at the airport, set up a handling system for the incoming cargo and help with all other items as and when possible. We arrange with the New Zealand Air Force to transport the kit and the team in on the first flight tomorrow. Time is taken to examine some of the equipment which is being sent in to help.

On arrival at Bukavu, the team arrange for the equipment to be placed in the hanger for safe keeping while they establish themselves and help unload a mobile hospital for a Norwegian Hospital Charity. It is confirmed by the French Military that they will be pulling out soon and that the safe area within Rwanda will probably disappear.

This may mean that in the next few days the refugee population within this area may rise by up to 500,000. A member of staff from the local UNHCR office arrives and explains that they had no prior information on our arrival, team set up, capabilities and job description. He asks that we stay for 2 to 3 days during which time a better idea of the developing refugee situation will be available and, also, we can try to help with some general duties within the area. We may then be sent to Kigali. We start by delivering 5 new vehicles to the UNHCR office in Bukavu some 35km distant.

8th August 1994

We are asked to repair the drains at the local office and also to ensure that the new vehicles which we delivered are fitted with the accessories supplied. All are fitted with mirrors, vehicle radios, fire extinguishers, rear ladders and roof racks, security systems are made operative and the vehicles given a full pre-delivery check. By midday we have all the vehicles completed are allocated one for the team’s use. The team returns to the airport where they are able to set up and test the communications system. A full survey of the airport is carried out and a simple requirements plan is formulated. On return to Bukavu we find that the requirements from Geneva will mean that the team will have to split and work as small units, possibly from different locations.

9th August 1994

The requirements needed to upgrade the capacity of the airport and the general life of the runway form the main areas of discussion. It is agreed by all that some form of mechanical handling (preferably an all-terrain forklift truck), properly organised apron parking, truck loading facilities, communications and runway sweeping are all part of this requirement. The expected life of the runway is estimated at ten days to approximately one month. This gives a general guide as to the possible length and capacity of the airlift, prior to relying on a land or water based operation.

A base camp is set up at the airport and communications are established – Inmarsat A telephone, fax and telex. These are to be available to all that are involved in this emergency situation. An HF radio monitoring system would also be set up. It is hoped to use this system in the first instance to monitor the incoming aircraft, thus enabling some general pre planning as to apron requirements. It may also be possible to use HF radio as a means of long distance communications between agencies, provided suitable frequencies are available.

10th August 1994

The first flight arrived at 0700 and, to everyone’s disbelief; it was a BAC1-11 jet – chartered to carry in 8 tons of beans. The crew informed us that they intend to bring in two, possibly three, loads each day and, starting tomorrow, would be arriving at first light.

The entire load is removed by hand. We are informed that it may not be possible to have a forklift truck supplied but are given permission to look into the building of loading docks and ramps. Without some form of mechanical handling this is a difficult exercise as the system depends on being able to lift the goods in bulk from the aircraft, move them to a suitable location and then load them for onward distribution. Without the first link in the chain the system is unworkable.

We have been requested to have a look at the lighting in the warehouse and, if possible, repair it. This would enable unloading to continue after dark. We have also been requested to install VHF and Codan radios into a number of UNHCR vehicles.

Without any improvement to the airport handling, 5 or 6 planes could be handled per day. With only minor improvements, this could be raised around 10 or 12 planes per day. The maximum without the use of proper air traffic control would probably be between 20 and 30. This would depend on the flight crews rather than the ground crews and general safety must be the overall concern. It was also pointed out that little or no safety and rescue equipment was on site, other than that which we (IRC) had brought in.

11th August 1994

The morning had 5 flights. These were spaced out and with the help of a French military lorry and small forklift; we were able to keep the apron clear.

As 3 team members travelled into Bukavu they noticed the start of a new camp near to the airfield, and also a marked increase in the number of refugees who are walking at the side of the road.

On arrival at UNHCR office it is confirmed that two Tutsis had been killed during the previous night during an incident in town.

IRC were advised that a number of Land Cruisers are in Goma and it is hoped that IRC members will be able to fly there and drive the vehicles back.

On the journey back to the airport we stopped and helped at a road traffic accident. This will form a regular part of our work. We are advised that this is not always advisable but find that, as a rescue team, we cannot and will not refuse to help at such incidents.

13th August 1994

As we pass the new camp near to the airfield we find that, in the time between travelling to Bukavu and returning, the camp has grown from nothing to 30,000. Arrangements are put into place for air travel to Goma, as and when required to uplift the vehicles.

The flight to Goma takes about 30 mins. We locate the UNHCR Office at the airport and are given the keys to the vehicles. Number plates are fitted and all are checked for oil, etc. Arrangements have been made for them to be fuelled at a local garage. We are informed that the vehicles are to be loaded with medical supplies, to be transported to Bukavu for onward shipment. Loading takes a further hour.

The drive back to Bukavu is via one of the most picturesque routes in the world. The road is, however, one of the worst!

15th August 1994

The day starts as usual with the arrival of the BAC1-11. It is causing a huge amount of damage to the runway but, to date, UNHCR have been unable to stop it, or to have it diverted to another airfield. The crew seem only interested in a quick turn round. If they are in first in the morning, we are able to unload them, although this means carrying the beans to the grass as no lorries are on site at that time – vehicles and local labour does not arrive until around 8 a.m.

A Canadian flight comes in to uplift a group of young orphans. They sit on the apron for hours and are finally told to return empty. Apparently, older children in the camps refused to allow the younger ones to be taken out.

17th August 1994

A local Army General is expected to arrive in the afternoon and an honour guard arrives from the Zaire Army.

Two motor bikes are delivered to the airport, in bits, with no parts list and no instructions. UNHCR ask if we will build them up and deliver them to town as soon as possible.

18th August 1994

The first of the loading platforms is now in commission and being used to load the goods into the back of the trucks. Its use takes at least 45 minutes off the normal loading time. It is hoped to build at least another 2 units.

20th August 1994

This was a typical day for the team, which was spent on the airfield. With the construction of the loading ramp and the use of the forklift, life has become much simpler. Only about 40% of the incoming cargo must be taken off by hand. What has become apparent is that some agencies have no concept of how goods are moved once in the field. Loads are designed, cased and loaded within the normal world using the most up to date devices. When they arrive here, even if they can be removed from the aircraft using the forklift, they cannot be placed onto the vehicles.