EMBASSY SANTIAGO RECEIVES TSUNAMI AND EARTHQUAKE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000846 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: TPHY AORC CI SUBJECT: EMBASSY SANTIAGO RECEIVES TSUNAMI AND EARTHQUAKE WARNINGS THROUGH OFDA SERVICE REF: STATE 54475 1.QPost receives earthquake information and regional threat information via emails sent to Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) regional office in Costa Rica. In response, Post reviews local news coverage to determine whether a seismic event is of such magnitude to cause major damage and/or trigger a national disaster response and, if so, whether U.S. assistance is likely to be requested or necessary in practical terms. In response to a major earthquake or tsunami warning, Post would notify the Emergency Action Committee (EAC) chair and contact Chile's National Emergency Office (ONEMI) to determine whether it had received similar notification and Chile's proposed national response. Based on best available information, EAC chair would determine whether to convoke the EAC and/or invoke the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) procedures for natural disaster. 2.QSantiago's EAP is available on SIPRNet at http://source.ds.state.sgov.gov/products/offi ces/spc/eapmodi fieddates.asp. 3.QPost considers OFDA's notification and response system for the region to be an effective device for tracking and early warning of seismic events. OFDA monitors not only seismic activity but other slow and rapid onset disasters - volcano activity, drought, flooding, hurricane activity, etc. OFDA has regional representatives in Argentina who maintain contact with Post and could be on the ground in Santiago as soon as three hours after a significant event. After a recent earthquake and associated landslide-induced flooding in southern Chile, OFDA contacted MDRO and provided updates on the event -- in this case of limited impact. ¶4. Prior to reftel, Post was unaware of the Department's notification and early warning system, but would appreciate being incorporated in future alerts. Through June 25, MDRO is Econ Officer Michael Keller, email: KellerMR@state.gov; KellerMR@state.sgov.gov; Phone: Office (56-2)-330-3397, Cell (56-99)-158-4650, Home (56-2)-955- ¶0808. Effective June 25, Robin Dunnigan will assume duties as Post MDRO and Michael Keller will become A/MDRO. MDRO and Post Duty Officer can be contacted by phone, (56-99)- 159-8535, or through Post 1 (56)330-3321/3700, 24 hours a day. KELLY