USAID/OFDA Cyclone Sidhr Assessment Cable #1: USAID/OFDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001816 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR SES-O DEPT FOR SCA/PB, SCA/EX DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER AID/W FOR AA MARK WARD AND ANE ANNE DIX DCHA/FFP FOR MATTHEW NIMS AND PAUL NOVICK ROME FOR FODAG BANGKOK FOR RDM/A TOM DOLAN, ROB BARTON KATHMANDU FOR USAID OFDA BILL BERGER AND SUE MCINTYRE TREASURY FOR ELIZABETH WEISS AND SUSAN CHUN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL ASEC CASC AMGT SOCI ECON PINR EAGR SENV BG SUBJECT: USAID/OFDA Cyclone Sidhr Assessment Cable #1: USAID/OFDA Team Arrives in Dhaka, Bangladesh REF: A) DHAKA 1801 B) DHAKA 1797 C) STATE 157623 D) DHAKA 1796 E) DHAKA-WASHINGTON EMAIL SITREPS OF NOVEMBER 15-17, 2007 ¶1. Summary. Heavy rainfall from Tropical Cyclone Sidr has caused severe flooding and destroyed crops and houses throughout southern Bangladesh, resulting in the death of 2,625 people and affecting more than 4 million others, according to the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) and the U.N. World Food Program (WFP). On November 16, 2007, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Geeta Pasi declared a disaster due to widespread damage from Cyclone Sidr. On November 17 and 19, a team from USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In conjunction with USAID/Bangladesh, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD),U.N. agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the GOB, the five-person USAID/OFDA team is assessing the extent of damage caused by Cyclone Sidr, identifying gaps in humanitarian assistance, and coordinating U.S. Government (USG) efforts. As of November 20, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $2.5 million to assist cyclone-affected populations in Bangladesh, including an airlift of emergency relief supplies from USAID/OFDA's warehouse in Dubai and four new water treatment units. End Summary. -------------- IMPACT OF CYCLONE SIDR AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS -------------- ¶2. On November 15, 2007, Tropical Cyclone Sidhr made landfall in southern Bangladesh with winds of 155 miles per hour. Rainfall from the storms led to widespread flooding, damaged infrastructure, and destroyed crops throughout the southern coastal districts, particularly impacting Barguna and Pathuakhali as it tracked across central Bangladesh. As of November 19, the impact of the cyclone had killed 2,625 people, led to the disappearance of 2,062 others, and damaged more than 9 million homes, according to the GOB's Disaster Management Bureau. These causalities and reports of damaged houses, livestock, fisheries, and crops are expected to increase significantly as more information becomes available with ongoing humanitarian assessments. ¶3. Preliminary reports indicate that the most critical humanitarian needs include food, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions. Cyclone-affected populations also need non-food relief items, such as blankets, plastic sheeting, water containers, and hygiene and health kits. WFP is evaluating and responding to emergency food needs. In addition, the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization is assisting vulnerable populations to resume livelihoods activities, targeting procurement for the next planting season, the distribution of fertilizer, and the fishing and shrimp industries. -------------- -------------- USAID/OFDA RESPONSE: ARRIVAL OF USAID/OFDA TEAM IN DHAKA -------------- -------------- ¶4. On November 17, USAID/OFDA's Regional Advisor arrived in Dhaka within 36 hours of Cyclone Sidr's landfall in Bangladesh. On November 19, USAID/OFDA's shelter and livelihoods advisor, military liaison officer, information officer, and water, sanitation, and hygiene advisor also arrived in Dhaka. The team is monitoring the humanitarian situation, conducting assessments of cyclone-affected areas, identifying gaps in assistance, and coordinating relief efforts with USAID/Bangladesh, DOD, U.N. agencies, NGOs, and the DHAKA 00001816 002 OF 002 GOB. ¶5. In response to the disaster declaration on November 16, USAID/OFDA provided an initial $100,000 through USAID/Bangladesh to NGOs for various emergency relief activities. In addition, USAID/OFDA has allocated $1 million for emergency relief activities and an additional $1 million to the International Federation of the Red Cross for humanitarian interventions in shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene. ¶6. On November 19, USAID/OFDA, together with USAID/Bangladesh and U.S. Pacific Command, conducted an aerial assessment of cyclone-affected areas in southern Bangladesh. The team witnessed widespread destruction of paddy fields, decimated trees, and few standing buildings in some villages. The USAID/OFDA team will participate in additional assessments in the coming days, focusing primarily on humanitarian needs in shelter and water, sanitation, and hygiene. ¶7. On November 20, USAID/OFDA airlifted emergency relief supplies to Dhaka, including 300 rolls of plastic sheeting, 5,000 blankets, 2,500 10-liter water containers, and 2,500 hygiene kits. These commodities, valued at more than $252,000 including transport, will provide assistance to approximately 15,000 cyclone-affected people. The USAID/OFDA team is coordinating the distribution of the emergency relief commodities through implementing NGO partners CARE and Save the Children. -------------- USG AND INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶8. On November 20, USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore arrived in Bangladesh to discuss USG relief efforts, visit affected areas, and attend meetings with high-level host government officials, U.N. agencies, and other humanitarian actors responding to the cyclone. She also participated in the handover of USAID/OFDA's airlifted emergency relief commodities to assist cyclone-affected populations. On behalf of the President of the United States and the American people, Administrator Fore expressed her condolences to the victims of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh. ¶9. Through U.S. Pacific Command, DOD is actively engaged in the humanitarian response to Cyclone Sidr. On November 19, a 23-member Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST) arrived in Dhaka to begin assessment of possible U.S. military support for the humanitarian operation. On November 20, nine members of the HAST visited affected areas in Khulna and Barisal Divisions to identify areas where military support may be appropriate. The HAST plans to conduct further assessments in the coming days. ¶10. Local media reported that U.N. agencies and donor nations have pledged more than $142 million for cyclone-affected populations. Saudi Arabia alone is providing $100 million, while WFP, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF),the U.S., Australia, the U.K., Switzerland, China, India, Pakistan, Canada, and Japan have also offered assistance. On November 20, the Japanese Government airlifted 466 boxes of relief commodities, including tents, plastic sheeting, and blankets, to Bangladesh. PASI