PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000890 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR A/GSSI - REBECCA PACKER EAP/ANP AND EAP/EX JAKARTA FOR RMO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT AMED TBIO ASEC KFLU KSAF KSEO SUBJECT: PANDEMIC INFLUENZA: PREPARING FOR POSSIBLE SHELTER-IN-PLACE - New Zealand and Samoa response REF: STATE 177681 and clarification e-mail, 11/8/06 ¶1. (U) Post continues to remind employees and families of possible pandemic in New Zealand or Samoa. RMO presented an AI briefing earlier this year. The Director of the Wellington Region Civil Defence Emergency Management Group discussed pandemic influenza and other possible disasters at a recent Town Hall meeting. Staff expressed appreciation for the briefing and town hall meeting and asked a number of questions. ¶2. (U) Post has distributed and stored MRE supplies at central points convenient to areas where American and LES reside in Wellington, Auckland and Apia. New Zealand water is potable and local authorities have contingency plans in place to address emergency needs. Wellington has enough bottled water to support essential personnel working in the Embassy for a three to four week period. Similarly, ConGen Auckland's bottled water supply can support emergency operations for the minimum two-week period. The CGR in Auckland and the DCR in Apia both have small swimming pools that could serve as a backup water supply. We are working with Apia to ensure they have bottled water supply sufficient for essential personnel working for the minimum two-week period recommended. ¶3. (U) AI information and health links are posted on Embassy website for American Citizens and the general public. MCCORMICK