OCTOBER FLOODS: USG INITIAL RESPONSE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANAGUA 002372 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN, CA/OCS, WHA/FO DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID/W AND USAID/OFDA SOUTHCOM PLEASE PASS TO JTF BRAVO NSC FOR ALVARADO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC MASS AEMR KPAO NU SUBJECT: OCTOBER FLOODS: USG INITIAL RESPONSE REF: MANAGUA 2366 ¶1. Summary. Preliminary reports by Nicaraguan authorities indicate that 20,266 people have been affected by floods, mostly in the northwest of the country, but scattered over other regions as well, with 8 known deaths and two missing persons. There are no known U.S. citizen casualties. The floods have most seriously affected agricultural crops, including beans and corn, and caused significant damage to road infrastructures. USAID is working with its partners to assess the disbursement of the USD 50,000 emergency relief authorized by OFDA upon the Ambassador's declaration of a disaster. Initial assessments indicate that the greatest needs are for food, seeds and tools, and road infrastructure. The GON is promising an updated report of damages on October 23. Northern Departments Worst Hit - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶2. The GON's Center for Disaster Operations released a preliminary report on October 21 showing that there are 20,266 people affected from the flooding (4,008) families. There were 8 known dead, and two missing persons. The Nicaraguan authorities report that 6,470 persons were evacuated from danger areas and moved to 76 temporary shelters. The areas worst hit are in the northwest of the country, in the departments of Chinandega and Leon; however, there was also serious damage in Esteli, Jinotega and Matagalpa, and the victims of the flooding are scattered throughout the country in over 170 communities in 9 different Departments. The Nicaraguan Center for Disaster Operations has promised an updated assessment on/or about October 23. Cumulative Effect - October Floods on Felix's Heels - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶3. Coming on the heels of Hurricane Felix, the cumulative effect of this round of flooding, especially on roads and crops, is significant. The Nicaraguan Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry released calculations last week that predict a crop loss of 19,526 hectares in the west and north of the country as a result of the rains and flooding. This calculated total is broken down between the local staples, with 14 percent loss of the bean crop (14,376 hectares) and 3.9 percent loss of the corn crop (5150 hectares). USAID partners are conducting surveys and report that there are short term immediate food needs in several flood-affected communities. ¶4. Initial reports indicate that the damage to the frail road infrastructure has been considerable as well. While the Pan American Highway is currently open, traffic is restricted and slow on several sections due to surface deterioration and subsidence. Most major arteries are passable, but the side roads to small villages are in some cases nearly impassable. There have been small scale mud- and land-slides that have blocked traffic on some roads; however, with the saturated ground, there exists a possibility for future large scale mud- or land-slides, which could be catastrophic. Mission Planning and Response - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶5. The Embassy's flood disaster working group met on October 22 to review the state of the flood-related damage and assess Mission response. USAID is accepting proposals from its partners for the distribution of the USD 50,000 authorized for immediate disbursement in response to the COM disaster declaration message. Local partners are examining other options, including reallocation of existing in-country stocks of emergency relief supplies to meet the immediate need of flood victims. USAID OFDA representative visited the affected region on October 21 and reported that the major needs include food, seeds and tools, and road infrastructure. As these assessments proceed, it may be necessary to identify additional funds to meet the medium term recovery needs for the affected regions. ACS - No Known American Victims - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ¶6. The Embassy has released a warden notice in response to the flooding. The American Citizen Services section of the Embassy dispatched a locally engaged employee to make contact in person with the wardens in Chinandega and Esteli. There are no known American casualties, and there have been no requests to the Embassy from U.S. citizens for assistance related to the floods. There are 605 U.S. citizens registered with the Embassy as resident in the four most affected departments: 194 in Chinandega, 235 in Leon, 150 in Esteli, and 26 in Jinotega. Public Diplomacy - - - - - - - - - ¶7. The Embassy released a press release on October 22 announcing that the U.S. is donating USD 50,000 in relief funds as an initial response to the flood disaster. The press release highlights that the OFDA assistance aims to assist those who have suffered losses of property, crops, and infrastructure. Also noted is the fact that the U.S. Government has donated more than USD 3.2 million over the past two months for hurricane Felix recovery and provided USD 7 million through OPIC for home reconstruction loans on the Atlantic Coast. TRIVELLI