NINEWA: UNAMI SRSG VISITS QAHTANIYA BLAST SITES --

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 003253 SIPDIS NEA/I PLEASE PASS TO USAID SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL USUN UN IZ SUBJECT: NINEWA: UNAMI SRSG VISITS QAHTANIYA BLAST SITES -- ASSESSMENTS PLANNED REF: A. BAGHDAD 2723 ¶B. BAGHDAD 2744 ¶C. BAGHDAD 2780 ¶D. BAGHDAD 2833 ¶E. BAGHDAD 3044 This is a Ninewa Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) message. ¶1. (SBU) On September 17, United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) Special Representative to the Secretary General (SRSG) Ashraf Qazi visited the blast sites in Qahtaniya and Al-Jazeera (reftels) to see the situation on the ground and assess the possibility of UNAMI coordination of future relief efforts. Accompanied by Deputy PRT Leader, Brigade Combat Team (BCT) Commanding Officer, and UNAMI staff members, Qazi met the Governor Kashmoula and Deputy Governor Ghoran of Ninewa and mayors of the affected districts who informed him on the relief efforts to date and asked for more help. Assessment is Needed -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The SRSG condemned the August 14 attacks on the Yezidi villages, and expressed interest in providing further assistance to the towns affected by the blasts and discussed potential long-term reconstruction efforts in the area. However, he stressed the importance of a full and complete assessment of the villages, household by household, to ensure that the needs of the people are fulfilled. He suggested that the local government coordinate with the provincial government and Iraqi Red Crescent to conduct such an assessment. The Governor stated that the Government of Iraq (GOI) had offered USD ten million in reconstruction aid to the villages, but none of that money had been disbursed. (Note: Condolence payments financed by the GOI had already been disbursed to most of the victims. The GOI is also determining how to target the USD ten million pledge of assistance; the Minister of Environment visited the area in early September to begin an assessment. End note.) Equanimity of Aid Vital -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Both the Governor and BCT Commanding Officer stressed the importance of equality in the provision of assistance to the victims of bombings in Ninewa Province. There had been numerous car bombs over the past months, and those the victims of those deserved the same level of assistance as the victims in Qahtaniya. (Note: Two USAID-funded programs, the International Medical Corps and the International Relief and Development's Community Stabilization Program, are providing assistance to communities struck by car bombs this year in western Ninewa. The assistance includes delivery of potable water, psychosocial services for children, income generation activities, health clinic and school rehabilitation, and delivery of health services and supplies. End note.) Comment -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The PRT will continue to work closely with our counterparts in the BCT to monitor the situation in the areas affected by the August 14 blasts. We will also maintain close contact with UNAMI to coordinate future assistance. CROCKER