Logistics Capacity Assessment
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INTER-AGENCY-LCA - Sierra Leone Logistics Capacity Assessment Sierra Leone Country Name Sierra Leone Official Name Republic of Sierra Leone Assessment Assessment Dates: From 1st December 2009 To 1st January 2010 Name of the Assessor Yann Ilboudo Title Cluster Logistics Officer Email Contact [email protected] 1/98 INTER-AGENCY-LCA - Sierra Leone Table of Contents 1. Country Profile ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1. Introduction / Background ....................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2. Humanitarian Background ....................................................................................................................................... 5 1.3. National Regulatory Departments .......................................................................................................................... 8 1.4. Customs Information ............................................................................................................................................... 9 2. Logistics Infrastructure .................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.1. Port Assessment .................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2. Airport Assessment ............................................................................................................................................... 29 2.3. Road Assessment ................................................................................................................................................. 37 2.4. Railway Assessment ............................................................................................................................................. 55 2.5. Waterways Assessment ........................................................................................................................................ 55 2.6. Storage Assessment ............................................................................................................................................. 60 2.7. Milling Assessment ................................................................................................................................................ 62 3. Logistics Related Services .............................................................................................................................................. 64 3.1. Fuel ......................................................................................................................................................................... 64 3.2. Transporters ........................................................................................................................................................... 66 3.3. Vehicle Rental ........................................................................................................................................................ 73 3.4. Taxi Companies ..................................................................................................................................................... 73 3.5. Freight Forwarding Agents .................................................................................................................................... 73 3.6. Handling Equipment .............................................................................................................................................. 75 3.7. Electricity / Power .................................................................................................................................................. 75 3.8. Manual Labour Costs ............................................................................................................................................ 77 3.9. Telecommunications .............................................................................................................................................. 79 3.10. Local Supplies Market ........................................................................................................................................... 83 3.11. Accommodation ..................................................................................................................................................... 84 4. Scenarios & Contingencies ............................................................................................................................................. 85 4.1. Refugees and IDPs ............................................................................................................................................... 85 4.2. Food Security ......................................................................................................................................................... 86 4.3. Natural Disaster ..................................................................................................................................................... 87 4.4. Other (please specify) ........................................................................................................................................... 88 5. Annexes ........................................................................................................................................................................... 90 2/98 INTER-AGENCY-LCA - Sierra Leone 1. Country Profile The Republic of Sierra Leone is a picturesque country on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean with a population of a little more than six million. Its location historically made Sierra Leone the centre of trade and colonial administration in the region. Sierra Leone became independent in 1961. Sierra Leone has a tropical climate and a diverse nature ranging from savannah to rainforests. Rich in minerals, the country has relied on mining for its economic base, especially diamonds and rutile. About two-thirds of the population engages in subsistence agriculture which accounts for more than a half of national income. The most important crops are rice, cocoa, and peanuts. Although Sierra Leone has substantial mineral and agricultural resources, ten years of civil war in the 1990s caused tremendous human sufferings and social disruption, severely devastated the national economy and destroyed the infrastructure. The country ranks 81 out of 84 countries in the International Food Policy Research Institute’s 2009 Global Hunger Index, and 180 out of 182 countries in the 2009 UNDP Human Development Index. Over 70 percent of the population lives below the national poverty line of US$2 per day. Moreover, the acute child malnutrition rate is 10 percent, and 36 percent of children under 5 years are chronically malnourished (Demographic Health Survey 2008). According to the 2004–2005 census, illiteracy is 60 percent overall and some 40 percent of the children enrolled in primary school do not reach grade 6. However, the overall situation in the country has improved since 2001 due to increased security measures. The UN peacekeeping operation successfully completed its mandate in December 2005. The subsequent return of displaced rural populations to their homes has helped agricultural recovery which is taking place across most of the country. One third of the cereal requirement continues to be imported, most importantly rice from South and South-East Asia. Efforts are being made in Sierra Leone to rehabilitate and increase food and cash crop production and upgrade small- holder farmer skills. This is all the more important as low agricultural productivity, due to a heavy reliance on rain-fed cultivation and deteriorating soil fertility, continues to hamper progress and threaten the country’s food security. 1.1. Introduction / Background Basic facts Basic Facts Source / Year: CIA Factbook Capital Freetown English is the official language. Temne, Mende and Krio are also www.alertnet.org / 2009 Language spoken. Krio serves as the commercial language in the capital The Temne and Mende each account for almost one-third of the population. Lokko, Sherbro, Limba, Susso, Fulani, Ethnic groups Kono and Krio are other important www.alertnet.org / 2009 groups. The Krio are descendants of African slaves freed in the 19th century who settled in Freetown Most of the people practice traditional African religions. Nearly one-third are www.reuters.com / 2009 Religions Muslims, who mainly live in the north. A Catholic minority is concentrated in the capital. Slightly smaller than the Czech Country size (comparison) Republic Population density (map) 79.4/km 2 http://en.wikipedia.org Sierra Leone is bounded by Guinea to the North and North-East, Liberia Border countries to the South and South-East and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. diamonds, rutile, cocoa, coffee, fish Exports Imports foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, 3/98 INTER-AGENCY-LCA - Sierra Leone fuels and lubricants, chemicals rice, coffee, cocoa, palm kernels, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, cattle, Agricultural products sheep, pigs; fish Country in Figures Source / Year: General Information The Provinces of Sierra Leone are divided into 14 districts: BO, Bombali, Bonthe, Kailahun, Kambia, Kenema, Country size 71740 sq.km Koinadugu, Kono,