RESPONSE TO DEVASTATION OF TYPHOON MILENYO

UNCLAS MANILA 004162 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS STATE PASS USAID E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SOCI EAGR SENV RP SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO DEVASTATION OF TYPHOON MILENYO REF: A) Manila 4139, B) Manila 4144, C) Manila 4149 ¶1. Summary: Manila continues to recover from its worst typhoon in eleven years, while reports of devastation from outlying provinces of Southern Luzon continue to pour in. Four days after the typhoon, electricity and water is off in large parts of Manila, including Mission employee neighborhoods. Damage to U.S. facilities would have been much greater had not Mission staff performed heroically, some working through the night even as their families suffered from the effects of the storm. All Mission staff are safe and accounted for, but a current Philippine death toll of nearly 80 is expected to rise. The Ambassador's release of $100,000 in disaster assistance funds to the Philippine Red Cross has received positive media attention. End Summary. ¶2. On September 28, Typhoon Milenyo raked 17 provinces in the Philippines, affecting millions of people. The reported death toll is 76, but that number may still climb. Most deaths are related to floods and falling power lines, billboards, and trees. According to the National Disaster Coordination Council, the initial property damage estimate is $21 million and includes destroyed or damaged homes, school structures, and crops. However, this number may rise as more information becomes available. Winds of up to 130 mph, flood waters, and falling debris caused an additional $6 million in damage to bridges, roads, electric posts, and antennas. -------------- Status of Embassy Community -------------- ¶3. As the typhoon suddenly intensified south of Manila, Embassy officials notified all Mission staff at 4:30 am via text messages of Embassy closure on September 28, requesting emergency personnel only to report to work. The Embassy, Philippine Government offices, and schools remained closed on September 29. Post management reacted rapidly to ensure generator power to the Seafront compound, offer Seafront amenities (refrigeration, laundry facilities, showers) to Embassy families living in 60 affected homes, and secure hotel space for staff without electricity and/or water. Twelve Embassy families remained in hotels as of October 2. ¶4. Damage to Embassy facilities would have been much worse had not personnel worked to mitigate damage throughout the storm by moving fallen trees and limbs, temporarily repairing roofs, cutting off power to downed lines, and switching on generators. Local employees in GSO, telephone operators, contract and procurement (due to end of fiscal year) and other sections and agencies worked through the night and the weekend to repair damage and respond to reports for assistance that prevented more destruction. No incidents of break-ins or looting have affected USG-leased or owned properties, though they have been reported elsewhere in affected areas. -------------- Status of American Citizens -------------- ¶5. No U.S. residents in the Philippines reported injuries resulting from the typhoon. Peace Corps verified that no volunteers were harmed; Public Affairs likewise determined that all Americans in the Philippines participating in State Department public diplomacy programs were well and accounted for. ACS received numerous calls from citizens checking on relatives. AmCits in Philippine prisons complained of the lack of power and the increased price of bottled water. The Veterans' Clinic was closed September 28 and 29 and re-opened October 2. -------------- U.S. Government Assistance to Philippines -------------- ¶6. The Ambassador exercised her disaster assistance authority to provide $50,000 to the Philippines Red Cross and USAID released an additional $50,000 to the Red Cross on September 30 for families affected by the typhoon. This $100,000 supports organization's immediate needs for water, hygiene supplies, food, and blankets in affected communities. The National Disaster Coordinating Council has not requested further aid so far, but assessments continue, particularly in outlying regions. KENNEY