SUDAN - USAID AIRLIFTS PLASTIC SHEETING FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001236 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, DCHA/OFDA, AND AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, USAID/SFO AND FAS GENEVA FOR NKYLOH NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PBROWN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI UN SU SUBJECT: SUDAN - USAID AIRLIFTS PLASTIC SHEETING FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED FAMILIES ¶1. On August 8, Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Fernandez and Undersecretary for the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs Charles Manyang welcomed the arrival of a USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) airlift carrying plastic sheeting for flood-affected families in Sudan. A total of two USAID airlifts on August 8 and 9 will provide 1,300 rolls of plastic sheeting -- enough for 13,000 families or 78,000 people. The sheeting is valued at approximately USD 600,000 and represents USAID's first step in assisting an estimated 365,000 flood-affected people in Sudan. USAID consigned the commodities to the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) for distribution in northern and eastern Sudan. ¶2. Sudanese journalists attended a press conference at the airport and observed the off-loading of cargo on the tarmac. The event opened with remarks from UNICEF Representative Ted Chaiban. CDA Fernandez then addressed the group in Arabic, emphasizing the substantial amount of U.S. assistance to the people of Sudan and the USG's commitment to working with the GNU and international community to meet humanitarian needs. On behalf of the GNU, Undersecretary Manyang welcomed the donation, noting that the United States has been a leader in providing aid to Sudan for decades. Undersecretary Manyang recalled with appreciation the USG's role in the formation of Operation Lifeline Sudan during the conflict in the south. ¶3. The plastic sheeting will be distributed via the Common Humanitarian Pipeline, a quick-response distribution network established in 2004 and managed by the U.N. Joint Logistics Center with support from UNICEF and the non-governmental organization CARE. This distribution mechanism, largely supported by USAID, has played a vital role in ensuring that lifesaving supplies such as plastic sheeting, cooking sets, and mosquito nets rapidly reach flood-affected areas. The Common Pipeline has already rushed supplies to more than 200,000 people in nine states in northern Sudan. ¶4. USAID is considering additional assistance to flood-affected families. USAID will continue to report on the situation as it unfolds. FERNANDEZ