NAIROBI BUILDING COLLAPSE: US ASSISTANCE UNDERWAY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NAIROBI 000327

SIPDIS

USAID FOR DCHA FOR WGARVELINK; USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA,
GGOTTLIEB MMARTY, IMCNAIRN,; USAID FOR AFR/EA, JBORNS;
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID MASS PREL AMGT KE
SUBJECT: NAIROBI BUILDING COLLAPSE: US ASSISTANCE UNDERWAY



1. SUMMARY: A four-story building under construction in
central Nairobi collapsed mid-day January 23, injuring 105,
and killing 20, with an unknown number unaccounted for,
according to on-site press reports as of January 24
afternoon. Responding to the Kenyan government's request for
assistance, Post immediately facilitated the deployment of 16
Seabees who arrived on-site by 7:00 a.m January 24, procured
a donation of excavation equipment, supplied drinking water
and light equipment, and has management and medical officers
on site to coordinate ongoing assistance. As the situation
develops, Post's specially convened emergency task force will
continue to support the rescue and recovery efforts, as well
as coordinate with British and Israeli teams. END SUMMARY.

SUDDEN COLLAPSE
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2. A four-story building under construction in central
Nairobi collapsed without warning mid-day January 23.
January 24 on-site media report 20 deaths and 105 injured,
with 5 known survivors trapped in the rubble and an unknown
number unaccounted for. According to a January 23 government
statement, there were at least 8 confirmed dead and 104
seriously injured. Kenyan rescue workers and the Kenyan Red
Cross were on the scene immediately. In its statement, the
Kenyan government appealed for blood donations and oxygen to
sustain those trapped, and announced that President Kibaki,
in Khartoum for the African Union Summit, would curtail his
trip to return to Nairobi. Kenya has appointed an Army Major
General to oversee rescue operations and established an
information center dedicated to the emergency. The
government noted January 23 that the United States had sent
"international rescue experts" to assist. Early media
reports suggest the construction had not been in compliance
with regulations, which may have precipitated the disaster.
According to The Nation, an employee of the Central Bank of
Kenya sent a letter on December 15 to the editor of the same
paper warning that the building was weak and susceptible to
collapse due to inadequate building materials and hasty
construction.

POST RESPONSE
--------------


3. Post received separate requests from the Kenyan police
and the Government's National Disaster Operations Center
January 23, for search and rescue assistance. CJTF-HOA, in
coordination with KUSLO, responded immediately sending 16
Seabees who arrived at the scene early morning January 24.
The DCM also convened an emergency meeting to discuss further
assistance and relief.


4. In addition to the 20 Seabees providing consultation and
search and rescue services, Post has delivered bottled water
to the Red Cross, a water tanker truck to alleviate the heavy
dust that is impairing operations, and has secured donation
of a crane, two dump trucks, jackhammers, lights and a
front-end loader from Post contract construction company.
Post is also responding to the government's request for small
oxygen tanks. Post Management Section coordinated the
delivery of additional water, generators, lights and light
excavation equipment. Responding to press inquiries, Post
has a Public Affairs staff member at the scene. Post is
submitting a separate request for funding to USAID's Office
of Disaster Assistance (OFDA) to provide relief as well as
support Post assistance. On January 24, the Office of the
President and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other
government officials recognized the United States' rapid
response, noting their appreciation for Post assistance.

INTERNATIONAL COORDINATION
--------------


5. Other Nairobi diplomatic missions are also supporting
rescue efforts. A team of 140 Israeli military personnel
with technical equipment and dogs arrived late morning on
January 24. Two teams of British search and rescue experts
with infrared imagers and seismic sensors are scheduled to be
in Kenya by the evening of January 24. The UK High
Commission also has two structural engineers on site to
consult on debris removal, and has appointed a liaison
officer with whom Post is coordinating. The German
government is also considering sending help, possibly to
include sniffer dogs.


6. As the situation develops, Post will continue to closely
monitor all aspects of the disaster and respond accordingly.
Post will also coordinate with other diplomatic missions to
maximize the benefits of our assistance and avoid redundancy.
Further updates to follow septel.
BELLAMY