NINEWA: IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE NEEDS BEING MET IN

C O N F I D E N T I A L BAGHDAD 002833 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/22/2017 TAGS: PGOV EAID PREL PTER KDEM MOPS IZ SUBJECT: NINEWA: IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE NEEDS BEING MET IN AUGUST 14 ATTACKS -- LONGER TERM PLAN IN MOTION REF: A. BAGHDAD 2723 ¶B. BAGHDAD 2744 ¶C. BAGHDAD 2780 Classified By: Ninewa PRT Leader Jason Hyland. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ) This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message. Casualty Numbers Unclear -------------- ¶1. (C) Given the recovery efforts on the ground in Qahtaniya and Al-Jazeera after the massive August 14 attacks (reftels), local Iraqi officials are still trying to set a final, accurate number of casualties. The latest numbers provided by Coalition Forces are 345 killed, 725 wounded (about 320 seriously) and 70 missing. Local government officials report nearly identical numbers, though the Iraqi Red Crescent (IRC) gave significantly higher numbers to Western media. PRT will continue to track the casualty assessment. Assistance Efforts on Track -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On an August 20 visit to the site of the Qahtaniya bombings, PRT Ninewa Team Leader Hyland and 4/1 Brigade Combat Team Commander COL Twitty observed that the immediate and short term relief needs were being largely fulfilled by a combination of support from Coalition Forces, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG),Iraqi Army (IA),the local and provincial government as well as the Yezidis themselves. Local leadership was managing the crisis relatively competently, and already looking beyond the immediate crisis to longer-term needs. Following on consultations with local officials, Coalition Forces were focusing on rubble removal, repair of the main town well, and purchase of additional water trucks. Water, food, tents, and other supplies appeared in good supply. Coalition Forces have observed the orderly disbursal of the Government of Iraq's (GOI's) victim compensation funds, a significant contribution from the central government. Many other groups had provided assistance, including the USAID-funded International Medical Corps, UNAMI, Turkish Red Crescent, the IRC, and local sheiks. The Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police were also on hand, although local officials criticized their overall contribution, compared to that of Coalition Forces; local officials and security officials were already working on a coordinated plan to protect the town, complete with berms and limited access points. ¶3. (SBU) According to the Minister of Environment, the Deputy Prime Minister has asked her to oversee reconstruction efforts, a very useful step. The PRT and USAID-Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) are working with USAID partners to ensure that medium-range assistance is well-managed. USAID implementing partners have already conducted needs assessments in the affected villages. They will work with local government to strengthen its capacity to rebuild and respond to the current and future disasters. The KRG is planning a significant rebuilding effort as well. Comment -------------- ¶4. (C) TL Hyland spoke August 22 to the Yezidi Emir, the leader of this minority community. He said that his overwhelming concern remains that "all Yezidis are in danger" in the current security environment. The KRG played an important, and positive, role in the relief effort, but clearly recognized the political opportunity it offered. The Yezidis face a difficult road ahead. However, when faced with an enormous tragedy, Iraqis, Coalition Forces, and international organizations quickly pulled together a credible relief effort to help one of Iraq,s vulnerable communities. CROCKER