EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS REQUEST: GUYANA

UNCLAS GEORGETOWN 000330

SIPDIS

OES/STC - PERLA R. LUCERO

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TSPL SENV KSCA GY
SUBJECT: EMBASSY SCIENCE FELLOWS REQUEST: GUYANA

REF: A) STATE 35305 B) 05 GEORGETOWN 134 C) GEORGETOWN

121


1. Embassy Georgetown requests an Embassy Science Fellow
with expertise in agro-meteorology to work with the
Embassy and the Government of Guyana to assess and build
capacity in forecasting techniques and water management.
Post is hopeful that NOAA or USDA in particular would be
able to accommodate this request.


2. Epic flooding in Georgetown and the Atlantic Coast in
January 2005 (ref B) and flooding that devastated
farmlands in December 2005/Janaury 2006 (ref C) have
revealed Guyana's lack of capacity to predict and
disseminate accurate weather information. This is a
particularly serious vulnerability for a country in which
90% of the population lives in areas below high tide
level. Much of the GOG and the donor community's
attention following the floods has focused on improving
drainage and irrigation systems and reengineering the
East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC),the dam which
collects water flowing from Guyana's hinterlands.
However, improving the collection of weather data remains
a gap in the GOG and donor response that would allow an
Embassy Science Fellow to have a tremendous impact. For
example, the GOG lacks information on rainfall data in
the interior of the country, making effective control of
the water level in the EDWC extremely difficult.
Forecasting capacity is also limited. For instance, a
contributing factor to the epic flooding in January 2005
was the GOG's incorrect prediction of a drought, which
led to the decision to close sluice doors to raise the
level of standing water in the East Demerara Water
Conservancy; subsequent overtopping led to substantial
flooding in Georgetown and the coastal plain.


3. An Embassy Science Fellow's contribution in this area
would greatly assist Post's Mission Performance Plan goal
of Economic Growth and Development. The January 2005
flooding is largely blamed for a 3% decline in GDP last
year, as flooding caused significant losses in Guyana's
export staples of rice and sugar. In addition, the
capacity a Science Fellow could provide would assist
Post's disaster preparedness during the annual rainy
season. The flooding in January 2005 and December/January
2006 revealed both a lack of ability to forecast as well
as a dearth of accurate weather information, which
impeded Post's ability to make informed decisions about
tripwires and threat potential. Ideally, the Fellow will
provide advice on incorporating forecasting information
into GOG/Embassy emergency planning and other similar
functions and documents. Finally, improvements to the
Guyana Hydrometeorological Service's forecasting
abilities will not only assist flood mitigation, but will
also improve the way seasonal agriculture is practiced in
Guyana.


4. Post will provide housing and office space for the
Fellow during his or her assignment to Guyana. While all
attempts will be made to accommodate the Fellow in a
vacant house, housing constraints may require the Fellow
to share a home with another officer. Post has discussed
its proposal with the Chief Hydrometeorological Officer
and expects support and cooperation from the GOG as well.
No security clearance is required. Note that Guyana is
expected to hold elections by August 4, 2006, during
which time political unrest may occur. The September-
December timeframe may be most effective, though a Fellow
may also find being in country during the
December/January rainy season to be useful. Potential
fellows may wish to visit http://www.guyanaclimate.org/
for basic information on Guyana's weather as well as the
Embassy's website at
http://georgetown.usembassy.gov/guyana/other_ local.html
for additional resources about Guyana.


5. Embassy point of contact is Edward Luchessi,
Economic/Commercial Officer, tel 592-225-4900 ex. 220,
fax 592-227-0240, e-mail LuchessiEP@state.gov.

BULLEN