CONTINUATION OF DISASTER DECLARATION - NEPAL

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002183 SIPDIS AIDAC USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA FROM THE AMBASSADOR STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/NEA USAID FOR ANE/AA BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA - TDOLAN GENEVA FOR DHA AND IFRC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID NP SUBJECT: CONTINUATION OF DISASTER DECLARATION - NEPAL (COMPLEX EMERGENCY) REF: A) 04 KATHMANDU 2036 B)03 KATHMANDU 2018 C) 02 KATHMANDU 2248 D) 02 KATHMANDU 703 ¶1. Summary: On April 9, 2002, Ambassador Malinowski declared a disaster in Nepal due to the growing number of casualties and displaced persons from an eight-year old Maoist Insurrection. The disaster declaration was extended in 2004. Since then, Nepal has seen a continuation and worsening of the violence, with virtually every district of the country affected directly or indirectly. I have determined that the complex emergency continues to exist in Nepal, and hereby extend the disaster declaration (see paragraph 4 below). End Summary. ¶2. Current situation: Since the beginning of hostilities, over 12,000 people have died in Nepal. There are still no reliable estimates of the number of internally displaced people (IDP),but evidence from several districts shows clearly that this number has grown significantly over the past year. Most IDPs have relocated to district centers and urban areas within Nepal, but a large number of Nepalese have also migrated to India. In addition, millions of Nepalese throughout the country are severely affected by the conflict as normal transportation and trade links are disrupted; communities are called on to host IDPs; vital communications, transport and power infrastructure are destroyed; jobs continue to be lost and incomes reduced by the severe decline in tourism and exports; Maoists force school closures, abduct children and teachers, and extort the local populace and businesses; and basic Government services are disrupted by the widespread destruction of local and central Government offices, health clinics and agricultural centers, and the dislocation of civil servants. ¶3. The possibility of the conflict escalating and leading to large displacements remains high, and emergency relief assistance from the international community may be needed in an expeditious manner. The U.S. Embassy and the donor community continue to monitor the situation closely. UNDP, at the USG's urging, has initiated efforts to develop a Humanitarian Assistance Information System to collect information on key indicators to identify needs and document responses. His Majesty's Government of Nepal (HMGN) will likely require outside help to manage any large expansion in the number of displaced people, and is willing to accept U.S. assistance to meet immediate relief needs as well as to support recovery and resolution of the conflict. ¶4. As such, I hereby declare that an emergency situation continues to exist in Nepal, and that it is in the interest of the USG to continue to respond to the crisis and be prepared for further humanitarian assistance as required. Although I will not exercise my authority to request disaster assistance funds at this time, emergency assistance may be required in the near future to assist HMGN in dealing with the food, shelter, health, and other relief and recovery needs of the displaced and populations at risk. ¶5. I hereby declare that this disaster declaration cable has been approved as of October 4, 2005. MORIARTY