Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05RANGOON9
2005-01-03 10:57:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Rangoon
Cable title:  

TFXO01: (1/3) RED CROSS IN BURMA REPORTS HIGHER

Tags:  AEMR CASC KFLO PREL PINR PGOV AMGT BM NGO 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

031057Z Jan 05
UNCLAS RANGOON 000009 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, CA TASK FORCE, OPS CENTER
BANGKOK FOR USAID, FAS
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR CASC KFLO PREL PINR PGOV AMGT BM NGO
SUBJECT: TFXO01: (1/3) RED CROSS IN BURMA REPORTS HIGHER
CASUALTIES

REF: A. COM-TASK FORCE 1/2 EMAIL


B. 04 RANGOON 1649 AND PREVIOUS

UNCLAS RANGOON 000009

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR EAP/BCLTV, CA TASK FORCE, OPS CENTER
BANGKOK FOR USAID, FAS
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR CASC KFLO PREL PINR PGOV AMGT BM NGO
SUBJECT: TFXO01: (1/3) RED CROSS IN BURMA REPORTS HIGHER
CASUALTIES

REF: A. COM-TASK FORCE 1/2 EMAIL


B. 04 RANGOON 1649 AND PREVIOUS


1. (SBU) Summary: A preliminary Red Cross report on the
extent of the damage in Burma gives figures higher than the
GOB's official tally, but still quite low compared to
Thailand. UN agencies and NGOs are continuing their
assessments and small-scale relief operations, however the
GOB is not likely to make a formal request for aid. There
are no reports of Amcit casualties or verified cases of
missing Americans in Burma. End summary.

IFRC: Death Toll Higher Than Reported


2. (SBU) The International Federation of the Red Cross
(IFRC),coordinating the international community's response
to the tsunami and earthquake damage in Burma, released a
preliminary report on December 30th collating the information
collected to date from various agencies' missions to the
impacted parts of the country. According to the report, the
"verified" toll in Burma is 86 dead, 45 injured, 10 missing,
and 6,250 homeless.


3. (SBU) As reported ref B, the most heavily damaged parts of
the country are the Irrawaddy River delta southwest of
Rangoon (47 dead, 4,500 homeless),and the southeastern coast
(just north of Ranong, Thailand) in Kawthaung, Tanintharyi
Division (27 dead, 1,750 homeless). The IFRC report further
corroborated previous reporting (ref B) that the tourist
beach areas on the Bay of Bengal (west and northwest of
Rangoon) were not damaged. IFRC officials noted that various
NGOs and UN agencies were planning or now undertaking
additional assessment trips by air, sea, and road to more
remote areas of the Irrawaddy delta and islands off the
Tanintharyi coast.

Assessment and Aid Distribution Ongoing


4. (SBU) Though the GOB has not made a formal request for
aid, the IFRC noted that UN agencies, international NGOs, the
Myanmar Red Cross, and, to a lesser extent, the GOB were
providing basic assistance and emergency shelter in the
worst-hit areas. According to IFRC officials, an appeal for
funds to assist in Burma would be integrated into the general
UN "Flash Appeal" for all countries affected by the
earthquake/tsunami. This appeal is reportedly to be launched
on January 5th.

Americans are Safe


5. (U) Embassy Rangoon's Consular Section has been working to
clear remaining welfare/whereabouts inquiries.
There have still been no reports of American Citizen
casualties or verified cases of missing Americans.
MARTINEZ