FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION: PLANNING FOR THE NEXT

UNCLAS E F T O SECTION 01 OF 03 DHAKA 001836 SIPDIS NOFORN SENSITIVE SIPDIS AIDAC 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, BOB BARTON KATHMANDU FOR USAID OFDA BILL BERGER AND SUE MCINTYRE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: BG EAID MARR MASS MOPS PGOV PINR PREL SUBJECT: FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION: PLANNING FOR THE NEXT PHASE OF U.S. CYCLONE SIDR RESPONSE REF: A. DHAKA 1830 ¶B. DHAKA 1796 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: In only a week's time, the United States has been able to develop and implement an impressive humanitarian response to the devastation caused by Cyclone Sidr, which laid waste to large stretches of Bangladesh's southwestern coastal region when it made landfall on November ¶15. This timely and robust response has been warmly received by the Bangladeshi people and has been welcomed by the Caretaker Government and Bangladesh military. The USG team on the ground is building momentum, completing its initial assessment of the needs of those affected and is coordinating with other donors and the GOB to deliver assistance where needed. Even before the emergency relief phase kicks into high gear, we are planning for the medium term relief and longer term reconstruction of this moderate Muslim nation with its vulnerable population. We must ensure a smooth transition from relief to recovery to avoid any delays in the CTG's electoral and reform roadoaps. The investments that the USG makes at this time will pay dividends in the future, both here and beyond the region. End Summary. Helping a Friend in Need ¶2. (SBU) Even before Cyclone Sidr came ashore with devastating impact on November 15, the USG was busy mobilizing its disaster response capabilities. Just as the USG-funded disaster preparedness work helped save countless lives in the coastal areas, our internal USG planning in Dhaka, Washington, and Honolulu positioned us to respond immediately to the crisis. Since the disaster declaration was issued on November 16, the USG has mobilized an OFDA/DART team, deployed a Humanitarian ASsistance Survey Team, and integrated these elements into an interagency response under the direction of the COM. Within days, we were able to organize visits by Director of Foreign Assistance and USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore and Commander United States Pacific Command Admiral Timothy Keating. Combined, this inter-agencyresponse signaled the importance that the United States placed on helping a long-term friend during its hour of need. Return of the Angels from the Sea ¶3. (SBU) While USAID/OFDA funding began to flow immediately following the disaster declaration, and additional assistance arrived soon thereafter, the main story this week has been the return of the "Sea Angels," as the U.S.S. Kearsarge and other DOD assets arrived in Bangladesh to add the US Military's unique capabilities to our coordinated disaster response. In meetings with Director Fore and with Admiral Keating, Bangladesh's senior civilian and military leadership has welcomed U.S. assistance, recalling the vital role that the USG played in responding to the devastating 1991 cyclone during Operation Sea Angel (Note: By coincidence, one of the vessels steaming towards Bangladesh to assist in relief operations is the U.S.S. Tarawa, which was the flagship of the 1991 effort). Initially, the Caretaker Government appeared divided regarding the need to accept foreign assistance in the relief operations, for domestic political reasons. This attitude turned around when the scope of the challenge facing the government became apparent and as those involved in the 1991 operations realized the need to again reach out for help. From the beginning, there has been an outpouring of appreciation from the Bangladeshi public and a DHAKA 00001836 002 OF 003 great deal of interest in the press about the US response. Even the Saudi Government's offer of USD 100 million has been overshadowed by the high level U.S. visits and the expectation regarding the Kearsarge's arrival. Across the board, political parties have welcomed the U.S. assistance, and efforts by some to stir up local opposition to a U.S. role have fallen flat. The Three "D's" in Action ¶4. (SBU) Since their arrival, the USAID/DART and DOD HAST teams have been working closely with the country team, the GOB's civilian and military agencies, and our international and local partners to carry out thorough assessments of the needs in the response, relief, and rehabilitation phases. These teams are currently assembling detailed needs analyses which will form the basis for recommendations for future resource requirements. On November 24, the Government's disaster coordinator, Adviser M.A. Matin, and senior Bangladeshi military officers flew to the U.S.S. Kearsarge for a briefing on the MEU's capabilities and for discussions of possible ways in which the USG can provide assistance. As noted in other messages, we see crucial needs in the areas of potable water, distribution, and medical assistance in the short term. Medium term needs include shelter and food security, with longer term reconstruction of infrastructure clearly needed. Our strategy is to employ all instruments of national power, focused on the need to employ our diplomatic, defense, and development resources in the most effective manner. We have been able to steadily build momentum and are poised for the initiation of relief operations this week. U.S. Staying Until the Job is Done ¶5. (SBU) While it is still too early to estimate the precise duration of the emergency response phase, our consistent message (underscored by our senior visitors) has been that we will be involved in this efgort for as long as it takes. At present, we are focused on the emergency relief phase. Even as we address immediate needs, we are also actively planning for medium and longer term responses to the relief and reconstruction challenges. Thus, our civil and military assessment teams are also looking at how we can employ future resources most effectively and identifying potential opportunities should additional funding become available. We understand that similar discussions are also underway in Washington, and we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the planning process. Our goal is to avoid any impression that the U.S. will "cut and run" before the job is complete. Saving for a Rainy Day ¶6. (SBU) While it is correct to focus on the humanitarian needs of the affected population, we cannot afford to forget the importance of supporting the Caretaker Government as it works to implement the electoral roadmap and implement reforms prior to holding elections before the end of 2008. Even before the cyclone hit, there were concerns in some quarters that preparations for elections were stalling. At the same time, the Caretaker Government was struggling with how to respond to rising inflation and threats of an economic slowdown (see septel on the CDA a.i.'s pre-cyclone meeting with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed). The investments we make now in shoring up the government and freeing up resources to focus on longer-term reform and election DHAKA 00001836 003 OF 003 preparations are important to ensuring that the government succeeds. Stronger military-military ties, and an enhanced image for the United States will also stand us in good stead. We may have to mak% withdrawals from our "good will" fund in order to ensure that all involved keep to their commitments. Comment ¶7. (SBU) The USG is uniquely positioned to lead international efforts to respond to the cyclone. Those living in southeastern Bangladesh in 1991 will never forget Operation Sea Angel, just as the victims of the Southeast Asian Tsunami or the Pakistan earthquake will never forget the role that the United States played in their hours of need. We have a unique opportunity to again remind Bangladeshis and the larger international community of the positive role that the United States plays in the world. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, we must continue to employ all instruments of national power--diplomatic, information, military, and economic--in a coherent manner. We need to commit the resources needed to ensure that we will remain engaged "until the job is completed." Pasi