DISASTER DECLARATION FOR MALDIVES FLOODING

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000743 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR SCA/INS STATE PASS TO USAID OFDA FOR KY LUU AND ROBERT THAYER GENEVA FOR N KYLOH MCC FOR S. GROFF, D. TETER, D. NASSIRY AND E. BURKE TREASURY FOR LESLIE HULL E.O 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SENV PREL MV SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION FOR MALDIVES FLOODING REF: COLOMBO 736 ¶1. Summary and Action Request for USAID/OFDA: In response to recent flooding in Maldives, Ambassador Blake is making a disaster declaration and is exercising his authority to provide $50,000. In consultation with Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) regional advisor, Ambassador requests an additional $50,000 from OFDA. These funds will be provided to UNICEF/Maldives for water and sanitation to assist affected populations. End summary. ¶2. Recent storm surges, during which high tides and large waves converged in the southern Maldives, have caused flooding in a reported 55 of Maldives' 194 inhabited islands. President Gayoom wrote to President Bush May 18 to request immediate humanitarian assistance (reftel). ¶3. In response to this request, I am declaring a disaster in the Maldives and am authorizing assistance of $50,000 under my authority. Further, in consultation with the OFDA regional advisors, I am requesting an additional $50,000 from OFDA for this response. I certify that a disaster exists in the Maldives, that the government will accept USG assistance, and that providing the assistance is in the interest of the United States. ¶4. This USG assistance will go to UNICEF to provide emergency water and sanitation for affected populations. Currently assessments are ongoing in the Maldives and additional assistance may be requested. Embassy will provide additional situation reports on the emergency response and on the use of USG funds. Embassy notes that, so far, there have been no reports that the flooding has caused loss of life. However, as Maldives is still recovering from the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, these floods seriously impact the ongoing humanitarian recovery process. BLAKE