SITUATION UPDATE 2: FLOODING IN SURINAME'S INTERIOR

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000277 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG DEPT FOR OCS/ACS/WHA - RBRANSON DEPT FOR WHA/PD - APRUITT, GADAMS, EDETTER DEPT FOR PA/PRS USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA TIM CALLAGHAN PLEASE PASS PEACE CORPS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV PGOV PREL EAID ECON NS SUBJECT: SITUATION UPDATE 2: FLOODING IN SURINAME'S INTERIOR REFS: (A) PARAMARIBO 266; (B) PARAMARIBO 269; (C) PARAMARIBO 270 ¶1. The Government of Suriname (GOS) continues to investigate the extent of the flooding disaster in southern Suriname, and is struggling to mount its response against formidable logistic obstacles. As noted in ref (b),we received a formal request for assistance from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 9, prompting our ref (c) disaster declaration. High among GOS requests is for expert assessment for early recovery and relief efforts. We understand from today's donor coordination meeting that UN and EU counterparts to OFDA have already begun informally consulting with OFDA, as well as with Red Cross officials, on the possibility of sending small numbers of disaster assessment experts. A six-person UN team is set to arrive the evening of May 11. The EU will make a final decision May 11 on sending a small team, but expects at this point that their eventual decision will be favorable. Post welcomes, as would the GOS, OFDA participation in that effort. ¶2. While rains have slowed in some areas, flooding has in fact worsened in the extreme south and western portions, and water levels remain the same elsewhere. Food and water shortages are becoming an issue, and health authorities are concerned about outbreaks of diarrhea; they have not yet detected any signs of cholera. A total 236 military and police officials have been dispatched to make contact with affected areas, ensuring communication and information flow to the National Crisis Center. Donors have been impressed by the quality of information developed, stemming also from standing Ministry of Regional Development contacts with individual villages, and relying on an extensive internal radio network meshing private, medical, and various NGO systems. ¶3. Food and water supplies are beginning to move along three roads that serve the area, but road conditions are extremely poor, and heavy loads can only be carried to Albina, where they must then rely on river transport. The condition of remaining airstrips is deteriorating rapidly from use, permitting only small planes to land. The French and Brazilians are looking at the possibility of providing helicopter support. ¶4. One piece of good news is that a major rain front expected yesterday from the south did not in fact reach as far as lower Suriname. The next rain front is not expected for three days. ¶5. Donors are meeting daily as a group with UNDP, which is liaising as a single point of contact with the National Disaster Coordination Center (NCCR). Donors have been invited for a briefing by the crisis team, including the head of the NCCR and the five lead ministers, at the Presidency the evening of May 10. LEONARD