USAID HUMANITARIAN/RECONSTRUCTION SITUATION REPORT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 KUWAIT 001103

SIPDIS

STATE ALSO PASS USAID/W
STATE FOR PRM/ANE, EUR/SE, NEA/NGA, IO AND SA/PAB
NSC FOR JDWORKEN, HMANN, ZKHALILZAD, QUANRUD AND BRYZA
USAID FOR USAID/A, DCHA/AA, DCHA/RMT, DCHA/FFP
USAID FOR DCHA/OTI, DCHA/DG, ANE/AA
USAID FOR USAID/AA:NATSIOS
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA:WGARVELINK, BMCCONNELL, KFARNSWORTH
USAID FOR ANE/AA:WCHAMBERLIN
ROME FOR FODAG
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH
DOHA FOR MSHIRLEY
ANKARA FOR AMB WRPEARSON, ECON AJSIROTIC AND DART
AMMAN FOR USAID AND DART

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PREL ASEC AMGT OTRA IZ KU WFP
SUBJECT: USAID HUMANITARIAN/RECONSTRUCTION SITUATION REPORT
#3, 26 MARCH 2003

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SUMMARY
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1. On 25 March, the Health Fusion Cell met with
representatives in water and sanitation, civil governance,
and OTI to strategize on health and water assessments,
funding capabilities, and interventions. CA assessments
have begun in Safwan to determine the condition of the 5,000
people who are in need of water. Meanwhile a Kuwaiti Red
Crescent Society convoy of seven trucks departed for Umm
Qasr on 26 March, and a water pipeline between the Kuwaiti
border and Umm Qasr is being constructed to supply
desalinated water to the port town. The British ship, Sir
Galahad, loaded with 232,300 kilograms of emergency
humanitarian supplies is ready to unload at Umm Qasr, while
a ship carrying Australian wheat will wait at the UAE until
the port is deemed secure. The DART conducted an assessment
of the Port of Umm Qasr on 26 March, and initial reports
suggest that security is acceptable for more detailed
assessment teams to move into the port area. On 25 March,
the DART met with two representatives from IOM to discuss
coordination and IDPs assistance in southern Iraq.

2. ORHA has requested that all USAID team members working
directly with ORHA go through the CONUS Resupply Center and
that all U.S. Contractors entering Iraq have protective
equipment. On 26 March, USAID Mission Staff will
participate in an ORHA meeting with a tribal leader of
Basra. ORHA has also scheduled a meeting regarding liaison
issues with Iraqi Ministries. End Summary.

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FOOD
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3. One of the two ships carrying Australian wheat has moved
from Muscat, Oman to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The
Australian Embassy has announced that the Government of
Australia (GOA) is still in negotiations with the Australian
Wheat Board over the price of the 100,000 metric tons (MT)
of wheat, which comprises the two shipments. A final price
will be determined once the issue of payment of associated
transport costs is settled. The estimated cost of the wheat
is 20 million USD; associated transport costs are estimated
at 24 million USD. However, because of the time it is
taking to resolve the issue of transport costs, which is
necessary for any World Food Program (WFP) in-kind donation,
the Australian Wheat Board has stated that the wheat could
be sold on the commercial market in Oman or UAE within the
next 36 hours.

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HEALTH
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4. On 25 March, the Health Fusion Cell met with
representatives in water and sanitation, civil governance,
and the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) to strategize
on health and water assessments, funding capabilities, and
interventions. The Health Fusion Cell will incorporate the
water and sanitation team. The meeting addressed early
interventions, longer-term reconstruction, and interim
capabilities to restore water infrastructure. Regular
ministry support meetings are also occurring, including the
Ministry of Health, to ensure immediate support and
functioning of the ministries once there is a regime change.

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HUMANITARIAN OPERATION CENTER (HOC) DAILY BRIEFING
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5. According to a Kuwaiti government representative, a
Kuwaiti Red Crescent Society convoy of seven trucks departed
for Umm Qasr on 26 March. Each truck is transporting
approximately 25 MT of rice, bread, lentils, sugar,
vegetable oil, tea, canned goods, dairy products, fruit
juices, and bottled water. The relief supplies are being
warehoused at the port and distribution will be undertaken
by U.K. military personnel. Daily convoys are expected to
continue to bring additional relief supplies to the
population of Umm Qasr.

6. A water pipeline between the Kuwaiti border and Umm Qasr
is being constructed to provide 2.4 million liters of
desalinated water per day from the main Kuwaiti water system
to the port town. The Government of Kuwait is funding the
pipeline, and construction assistance has been provided by
the U.S. Corps of Engineers. The pipeline is expected to be
operational on or about 30 March.

7. The British ship, Sir Galahad, loaded with 232,300
kilograms of emergency food, water, medical supplies, and
blankets is ready to unload in Umm Qasr. Assessment of the
Umm Qasr channel continues and once the port is ready the
ship will be off-loaded. Two cranes at the port were
assessed to be operational.

8. Humanitarian assessments have begun in Safwan to
determine the condition of the 5,000 people who are in need
of water but not requesting food. Those affected are still
in their homes and speculation is that the water supply has
been disrupted.

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NGO COORDINATION
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9. On 25 March, the DART met with two representatives from
the International Organization for Migration (IOM),who will
be based in southern Iraq, to discuss WFP/IOM coordination
and IOM's plans to assist IDPs in their area. IOM plans to
establish an integrated network of NGOs to assist and
protect IDPs in Iraq in conjunction with WFP. The IOM has
not yet propositioned large amounts of non-food items yet
but plans to begin procuring relief supplies now that they
are receiving contributions to the Flash Appeal. As soon as
the U.N. Security Coordinator (UNSECOORD) determines that
the situation is stable, IOM plans to shift operations from
Kuwait City to Basra, where it would be co-located with the
UN Office of the Humanitarian Coordinator for Iraq and other
U.N. agencies and international organizations.

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MILITARY LIAISON UNIT
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10. The DART conducted an initial assessment of the Port of
Umm Qasr on 26 March. The Assessment Team was comprised of
security, communications, and military liaison officers and
a specialist in chemical, biological, and nuclear exposure.
Initial reports suggest that security is acceptable for more
detailed assessment teams to move into the port area.


11. The Assessment Team identified a large quantity of
warehouse space available at the port. Water and
electricity have been cut off due to disruptions in the
system at Basra. The Assessment Team will make initial
recommendations on how to restore emergency power and water
distribution.

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USAID - RECONSTRUCTION
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12. The Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance
(ORHA) has requested that all USAID team members working
directly with ORHA must go through the CONUS RESUPPLY CENTER
at Fort Benning, which is the personnel liaison for the U.S.
military. CRC will insure that training, DOD travel orders
(required for deployment to Iraq),equipment, shots, and
transportation are covered for all ORHA staff.

13. ORHA has requested that all U.S. Contractors who will
be entering Iraq have the following equipment: gas masks,
Kevlar helmet, Kevlar vest, appropriate shots, and CBNE
gear. The Mission will coordinate with ORHA on how long
this requirement will be in place.

14. The Public Affairs Team organized a press roundtable
with the DART on 26 March. They have asked the USAID
Mission Director to plan a press roundtable on
reconstruction in the near future. Also on 26 March, USAID
Mission Staff will participate in an ORHA meeting with a
major tribal leader of Basra in order to better understand
Basra's local governance structures.

15. A Concept of Operations information briefing will occur
on 28 March with all ORHA Functional Coordinators. During
the briefing, the USAID Reconstruction Team will present its
concept of operations to ORHA main staff.

16. On 29 March, ORHA has scheduled an all-day meeting
regarding liaison with Iraqi Ministries. USAID Mission team
members will attend as appropriate. The meeting will
produce a general guidance and briefing plan for ORHA. A
policy advisor nominated by DOD will arrive to work with the
Ministry liaisons. ORHA has agreed to provide
translator/interpreter support for the USAID Reconstruction
Team.

JONES