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