Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05SANSALVADOR2734
2005-10-04 21:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy San Salvador
Cable title:
DISASTER DECLARATION FOR VOLCANIC ERUPTION AND
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002734
SIPDIS
SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA PHIL GELMAN AND TIM CALLAGHAN;
DEPARTMENT FOR USAID/OFDA: ROB THAYER; KINGSTON/BRIDGETOWN
PLEASE PASS TO OFDA DIRECTOR; GENEVA FOR NKYLOH AND
UN/OCHA, IFRCS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID ES
SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION FOR VOLCANIC ERUPTION AND
FLOODING IN EL SALVADOR
UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002734
SIPDIS
SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA PHIL GELMAN AND TIM CALLAGHAN;
DEPARTMENT FOR USAID/OFDA: ROB THAYER; KINGSTON/BRIDGETOWN
PLEASE PASS TO OFDA DIRECTOR; GENEVA FOR NKYLOH AND
UN/OCHA, IFRCS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID ES
SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION FOR VOLCANIC ERUPTION AND
FLOODING IN EL SALVADOR
1. EL SALVADOR IS SIMULTANEOUSLY EXPERIENCING TWO NATURAL
DISASTER EVENTS. THE SANTA ANA VOLCANO WHICH HAS BEEN
SEISMICALLY ACTIVE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS ERUPTED ON
SATURDAY MORNING OCTOBER 1, 2005 SPEWING TONS OF SULFURIC
GAS EMISSIONS AND ROCK INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. THE INCIDENT
RESULTED IN TWO DEATHS AND THE IMMEDIATE EVACUATION OF
UPWARDS OF SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO WERE LOCATED WITHIN 4
KILOMETERS OF THE VOLCANO. ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNTRY HAS
ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING BOTH HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING. THE
CONTINUOUS RAINS HAVE BOTH SATURATED THE SOIL WHICH HAS
CAUSED NUMEROUS LANDSLIDES RESULTING IN 37 DEATHS SO FAR
AND THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL EVACUEES BEING HOUSED IN
SHELTERS. THIS HAS ALSO LED TO MAJOR DISRUPTIONS TO THE
NATION'S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK AND IT HAS SWELLED THE
NATIONS RIVERS WHICH COULD LEAD TO ADDITIONAL MAJOR
FLOODING AND THUS THE EVACUATION OF THOUSANDS OF MORE
PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS IF THERE IS NO BREAK
IN THE INCLEMENT WEATHER.
2. IN RESPONSE TO THESE EVENTS, THE ACTING CHIEF OF
MISSION HAS DETERMINED THAT THE DISASTER IS OF SUFFICIENT
MAGNITUDE TO WARRANT U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) ASSISTANCE AND
THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR WILL ACCEPT THE
ASSISTANCE.
3. THE ACTING CHIEF OF MISSION IS EXERCISING HIS DISASTER
ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY AS PER 2 FAM sections 060,061 and
062. AND REQUESTS THAT USAID/OFDA PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF
USD 50,000.
4: FUNDS WILL BE CHANNELED THROUGH A NON GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATION TO BE DETERMINED AND THE USE OF THE FUNDS
WILL ALSO BE DETERMINED WITHIN THE NEXT TWENTY FOUR HOURS.
5. MISSION WILL KEEP OFDA INFORMED OF THIS DISASTER AND
MAY REQUEST ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD THE NEEDS
JUSTIFY.
BUTLER
SIPDIS
SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA PHIL GELMAN AND TIM CALLAGHAN;
DEPARTMENT FOR USAID/OFDA: ROB THAYER; KINGSTON/BRIDGETOWN
PLEASE PASS TO OFDA DIRECTOR; GENEVA FOR NKYLOH AND
UN/OCHA, IFRCS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR EAID ES
SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION FOR VOLCANIC ERUPTION AND
FLOODING IN EL SALVADOR
1. EL SALVADOR IS SIMULTANEOUSLY EXPERIENCING TWO NATURAL
DISASTER EVENTS. THE SANTA ANA VOLCANO WHICH HAS BEEN
SEISMICALLY ACTIVE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS ERUPTED ON
SATURDAY MORNING OCTOBER 1, 2005 SPEWING TONS OF SULFURIC
GAS EMISSIONS AND ROCK INTO THE ATMOSPHERE. THE INCIDENT
RESULTED IN TWO DEATHS AND THE IMMEDIATE EVACUATION OF
UPWARDS OF SIX THOUSAND PEOPLE WHO WERE LOCATED WITHIN 4
KILOMETERS OF THE VOLCANO. ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNTRY HAS
ALSO BEEN EXPERIENCING BOTH HEAVY RAINS AND FLOODING. THE
CONTINUOUS RAINS HAVE BOTH SATURATED THE SOIL WHICH HAS
CAUSED NUMEROUS LANDSLIDES RESULTING IN 37 DEATHS SO FAR
AND THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL EVACUEES BEING HOUSED IN
SHELTERS. THIS HAS ALSO LED TO MAJOR DISRUPTIONS TO THE
NATION'S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK AND IT HAS SWELLED THE
NATIONS RIVERS WHICH COULD LEAD TO ADDITIONAL MAJOR
FLOODING AND THUS THE EVACUATION OF THOUSANDS OF MORE
PEOPLE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS IF THERE IS NO BREAK
IN THE INCLEMENT WEATHER.
2. IN RESPONSE TO THESE EVENTS, THE ACTING CHIEF OF
MISSION HAS DETERMINED THAT THE DISASTER IS OF SUFFICIENT
MAGNITUDE TO WARRANT U.S. GOVERNMENT (USG) ASSISTANCE AND
THAT THE GOVERNMENT OF EL SALVADOR WILL ACCEPT THE
ASSISTANCE.
3. THE ACTING CHIEF OF MISSION IS EXERCISING HIS DISASTER
ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY AS PER 2 FAM sections 060,061 and
062. AND REQUESTS THAT USAID/OFDA PROVIDE THE AMOUNT OF
USD 50,000.
4: FUNDS WILL BE CHANNELED THROUGH A NON GOVERNMENTAL
ORGANIZATION TO BE DETERMINED AND THE USE OF THE FUNDS
WILL ALSO BE DETERMINED WITHIN THE NEXT TWENTY FOUR HOURS.
5. MISSION WILL KEEP OFDA INFORMED OF THIS DISASTER AND
MAY REQUEST ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE SHOULD THE NEEDS
JUSTIFY.
BUTLER