RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON GREEK ASSISTANCE TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 002898 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PHUM PK PREL GR SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON GREEK ASSISTANCE TO PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF AND REHABILITATION REF: A. STATE 200915 ¶B. ATHENS 2770 ¶C. STATE 195483 ¶1. (U) Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on Greek Assistance to Pakistan earthquake relief and rehabilitation on November 3, 2005 to Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis Stylianidis. ¶2. (U) Mr. Stylianidis replied in a letter dated November 4, ¶2005. Text of letter: Dear Mr. Ambassador, Thank you for your letter dated 3 November 2005 referring to the international response to the victims of the earthquake in Pakistan. My country fully sympathizes with the afflicted population of Pakistan and shares the view of the United States that additional assistance will be needed to provide adequate relief. Regarding Greece's contribution so far, both the Greek authorities as well as many individuals were swiftly mobilized after the devastating event and offered material aid and assistance. In particular, following a decision by the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs and within 48 hours after the earthquake, the "Hellenic Aid" (International Development Cooperation Department of the Greek MFA) dispatched to Pakistan a 25-people SAR (Search and Rescue) Team, including doctors and paramedic personnel. A Greek military C-130 aircraft left for Islamabad on 12 October, transporting humanitarian aid collected by Greek authorities and various Greeks NGOs. Ten tons of material aid (namely shelters, tents, blankets, towels as well as pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics and anti-typhoid's and surgical equipment) and aid in services: experts on disaster crisis management, doctors (surgeons, anaesthesiologists, pathologist, and orthopaedic),nurses and paramedics boarded the aircraft and remained in the field trying to alleviate the suffering of the victims. A further cargo of approximately 20 tons of humanitarian aid has also been sent by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Pakistan for distribution in the disaster area, especially in the Muzaffarabat, Rawalakot and Mansehra regions. The estimated value of the humanitarian aid already conveyed amounts to 817,342 Euros, while the Greek people and NGOs are further collecting aid in cash and kind to be forwarded to the afflicted populations. Several Greek NGOs (Greek Red Cross, Doctors of the World-Greek section, "Solidarity" NGO of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Athens, Pharmacists of the World) are also offering medical and material assistance on the ground. Greece has also made available the services of one Greek C-130 military aircraft to the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Coordination Centre (EADRCC),as contribution to NATO's airlift capabilities for the transportation of International Humanitarian Aid. As of October 19, this aircraft provides transportation of international Aid to Pakistan. Regarding the UN appeal for a coordinated response of the international community for the rehabilitation and reconstruction in afflicted areas, Greece announced at the Ministerial Level Meeting in Geneva on 26 October a further allocation of 1 million Euros (1,000,000.00) to programs of rehabilitation and reconstruction in Pakistan. Half of this sum will be disbursed through international Organizations of the UN system, whereas the other half will be channelled through Greek NGOs and other legal entities. As to the sum of Euros 500,000.00 to be disbursed through international Organizations of the UN system, Greece has requested that it be used by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA),as follows: ¶1. The amount of 200,000.000 Euros for the UNDP Program SAEQ-05/S/NF7: "Support to spontaneous and seismically resilient shelter rehabilitation", ¶2. The amount of 150,000.00 Euros for the ILO Program SAEQ-05/P/HR/RL06 "Preventing children from entering into hazardous work and from trafficking", ¶3. The amount of 75,000,00.00 Euros for the IOM Program SAEQ-05/H11 "Medical evacuation of seriously injured", ¶4. The amount of 75,000.00 Euros for the WFP Program EMOP 10491.0 "Food support to most severely affected population" As stated above, my country fully shares the view of the US that the international response so far, lags behind the actual needs of the people of Pakistan affected by the earthquake. In this respect, my country is looking forward to participating in the next donor conference due to take place on or around the 19th of November and intends to provide a further contribution to the call for assistance. Evripidis Stylianidis End text of letter. ¶3. (U) Embassy will report any further response. RIES