MISSION MOROCCO PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE

UNCLAS RABAT 002206 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR A/GSSI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT AMED TBIO ASEC FKLU SKSAF KSEO MO SUBJECT: MISSION MOROCCO PREPARATIONS FOR POSSIBLE SHELTER-IN-PLACE REF: STATE 177681 ¶1. (SBU) Mission Avian Influenza Working Group met on November 6 to review guidance in reftel and has worked since that date to prepare the guidance it recommended and disseminate it to Mission personnel. An administrative notice was issued to publicize the most recent M/MED information on avian influenza, and health unit and management have reviewed local markets to ensure they can provide accurate guidance to staff and their families about how they can maintain sufficient food stocks to shelter-in-place for up to 12 weeks. We note that in large measure these recommendations build on material disseminated postwide earlier this year, though at that time (late winter/early spring) recommended food supply was limited to 2 weeks. ¶2. (SBU) We have also disseminated new warden messages and information on post's public access website to the general American community in Morocco, to ensure that we avoid any hint of a double standard in the manner in which information is conveyed to the two groups. ¶3. (SBU) Per reftel, the following is our current assessment of post's readiness to provide emergency water and to assist in providing emergency food supplies: -- Water: water in Rabat and Casablanca is potable, and bottled water is also readily available in local markets. We have recommended that staff maintain a one to two week supply of bottled water, and also keep on hand a gallon of bleach, which would enable them to treat local water supplies for consumption should they become contaminated in the event of a pandemic. For its part, Mission has stockpiled 25 gallons of bleach as a reserve. -- Food: canned foods are readily available in Moroccan supermarkets, and we have recommended that staff keep on hand an emergency supply meeting Department's recommendations. Embassy Cooperative Association maintains a medium-sized commissary that could be used to supplement these supplies in the event of an emergency. ¶4. (SBU) Post has also implemented other recommended steps, including provision of spare parts, review and confirmation of delegations of authority, etc., and cross-training of employees. Mission's platform on the topic has been up and running since early this year. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley