DISASTER DECLARATION: CYCLONE GONU

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000600

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

SIPDIS

STATE FOR USAID/OFDA, AID/W, NEA/ARP, M/FM/PAD

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AMGT ASEC CASC KSAC KHLS MOPS SENV MU
SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION: CYCLONE GONU

REF: A. MUSCAT 576

B. MUSCAT 590

C. MUSCAT 586

D. MUSCAT 581


1. This is an action cable. See paragraphs 5 and 6.

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Cyclone Gonu: Extent of Damage
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2. On June 6, Cyclone Gonu hit the coastal areas of northern
and central Oman with high winds and rain. The resultant
flooding caused significant damage to personal property and
the country's infrastructure (ref A & B). As of June 11,
many parts of the coast and Muscat still were without
electricity or running water, and roads leading to isolated
areas along the coast, as well as those in the capital area,
remained blocked by water and mud (ref B). Large segments of
the population report continuing shortages of safe drinking
water. The government is concerned that standing water and
damaged sewage and water supply lines may contribute to
disease. The official death toll is 49, with 27 reported
missing, although authorities expect the number to increase
significantly as relief workers remove mud, rocks and water
from the worst affected areas. Poor Omanis and expatriate
workers, many of whom lived in low-lying areas in the path of
flood waters, were hit particularly hard (ref C).

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Relief Response
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3. Government agencies, as well as Omani non-governmental
organizations and loose networks of private citizens, have
been distributing aid to distressed populations. Demand for
emergency assistance, however, including food, water,
housing, and clothing, far exceeds the government's current
capacity to supply it. On June 12, Sultan Qaboos announced
that the government had established a donation fund through
the Oman Charitable Organization (OCO),the
government-affiliated agency with primary responsibility for
the government's relief efforts (ref B). The Sultan called
on people to donate to the fund, which has initial
commitments totaling seven million Omani Riyal (OR) (USD 18.2
million). According to local press, the fund will be used
for general relief, and to help residents rebuild or replace
damaged property and possessions. The OCO has set up a
committee chaired by the Chairman of the Oman Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Engineer Salim al-Ghattami, to accept
and review applications for property damage assistance.


4. (SBU) The government had earlier declared that it would
not accept foreign aid, and had politely declined repeated
U.S. offers to provide Oman with technical, equipment and
monetary assistance (ref D). The Minister Responsible for
Foreign Affairs, Yousef bin Allawi, informed the Ambassador
on June 11, however, that the government now will accept U.S.
financial contributions to the OCO's donation fund.

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Action Request: USD 50,000 in Emergency Relief Aid
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5. Given the extent of the storm's damage as described in
Post reporting and open sources, and the demand for immediate
assistance to meet the population's food, water and lodging
needs, I am exercising my disaster assistance authority as
set forth in 2 FAM 061-63, and request USD 50,000 in
emergency relief aid. Post will donate the money to the
OCO's fund, for use in providing general relief, including
food and water, to affected populations.


6. Post appreciates OFDA assistance and requests a fund cite
be sent to Embassy Muscat as soon as possible.
GRAPPO