RELIEF EFFORTS IN WAKE OF AUGUST 14 BOMBINGS IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 BAGHDAD 002780 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/18/2017 TAGS: PGOV EAID PREL PINR PTER KDEM IZ SUBJECT: RELIEF EFFORTS IN WAKE OF AUGUST 14 BOMBINGS IN NINEWA: UPDATE REF: A. BAGHDAD 2723 ¶B. BAGHDAD 2744 Classified By: Ninewa PRT Leader Jason Hyland: 1.4 (B) and (D). This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message. ¶1. (C) Relief efforts are broadening following the August 14 bombings in Qahtaniya and Al Jazeera in Ninewa Province, northern Iraq, with the arrival of additional Iraqi contributions, as well as assistance from international organizations and NGOs - following on the initial relief primarily provided by Coalition Forces. Based on first-hand reporting from different sources, the best estimates of current casualty figures continue to rise with an estimated 300-344 dead, 350-386 seriously wounded and another 300-450 walking wounded, with at least 80 people reported missing. However, there is no firm account yet, so figures may be revised higher or lower. Approximately 300 houses were destroyed and another 400 damaged. Though the relief response in the first 24-48 hours was predominately by Coalition Forces, the Iraqi relief - provincial, regional, private and national - has also begun to arrive on scene. The Yezidi community and spiritual leadership traveled to the affected Yezidi villages August 17 and confirmed to the PRT the general casualty and damage estimates. Eyewitnesses report there is no immediate food need, though current supplies are only enough for the next few days. PRT Ninewa continues to work with Iraqi authorities and potential donors to assist the victims. USAID implementing partners on the ground are identifying gaps in the emergency relief efforts, providing emergency medical supplies and planning to implement reconstruction activities. ¶2. (SBU) The PRT Ninewa District Liaison Officer stationed at the Forward Operating Base closest to the sites traveled August 18 to the bombing sites with the area's Coalition Forces Civil Affairs team. According to his report, the villages have begun the recovery process, with most of the seriously wounded evacuated and most of the needed temporary structures (from the Iraqi Army (IA),and CF) erected. Bodies are still being recovered. Ninewa Provincial Governor Kashmoula has increased Iraqi Police (IP) presence in the western province. The Iraqi Red Crescent (IRC) sent seven trucks under IA escort with medium-term relief supplies such as food, water and medicine, which have reached nearby Sinjar town for onward delivery to the villages. ¶3. (SBU) The USAID-Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) partner International Medical Corps (IMC) conducted a needs assessment and while the written report is not yet available, we understand that preliminary findings are: - Water and electricity must be restored; families have begun to dig their own wells but water quality is a concern; - The primary health clinic in the nearby town of Sinjar does not have a doctor. Four medical staff from the area died in the explosion; - The IMC will recommend emergency water supplies as well as repairs to the water system, mobile medical teams until the local medical capacity is restored, and liaison with local security elements. ¶4. (C) Reports from multiple sources indicate that physical access to the sites is difficult due to the elevated security posture. A UN monitor on the scene reports no further need for emergency non-food-items besides clothing. ¶5. (C) Coalition Forces and Kurdish forces continue to provide an increased security presence while IA and IP work to increase their coverage of western Ninewa. Both the Ninewa and neighboring Dahuk governors are arranging assistance, either directly or through the IRC. ¶6. (SBU) The United Nations Assistance Mission to Iraq (UNAMI) has confirmed to us that medical supplies have arrived to Dahuk Hospital ) where most of the seriously injured are being treated - but that the medical and other non-food supplies for Sinjar were only dispatched August 17 with a planned arrival of August 19. UNAMI said it will dispatch further medical supplies to Dahuk Hospital August 19 to replace the basic medical supplies. UNAMI reports that local officials in the villages may be offering land and building materials for self-help reconstruction efforts. ¶7. (SBU) The Iraqi Northern Oil Co. Distribution Director told us that he, in conjunction with the Dahuk Governor, has sent 100,000 liters of kerosene and is planning on sending 100,000 liters of both diesel and gasoline. We understand BAGHDAD 00002780 002 OF 002 from UNAMI and RRT-Erbil that the Dahuk Governor is holding a stakeholders meeting August 18. ¶8. (C) Ninewa Governor Kashmoula contacted USAID implementing partner, International Relief and Development's Community Stabilization Program (CSP),to solicit its assistance. CSP (strictly protect) has dispatched representatives to assess the situation. They spoke with local officials on the scene and identified water as the most pressing need. CSP is exploring other needs such as rubble removal and, in the intermediate term, community rebuilding through local population employment. ¶9. (C) USAID implementing partners are at the affected villages and are in the process of finalizing the needs assessment. They will offer some support for immediate relief while working with local government to build its capacity to respond to the current and future disasters. PRT will continue to follow-up, especially with the provincial authorities, as the relief effort continues. CROCKER