AMBASSADOR GFOELLER PROVIDES ALERT TO DISASTER IN

UNCLAS BISHKEK 001030 SIPDIS DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI),EUR/ACE AND PRM/ENSA USAID FOR OFDA - ROB ANDREW AND ALEX MAHONEY ASTANA PLEASE PASS TO ALMATY USAID OFFICE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID KG SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR GFOELLER PROVIDES ALERT TO DISASTER IN OSH OBLAST, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC ¶1. Summary and Action Request: Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller provides an alert to a humanitarian disaster in the Osh Oblast located in southern Kyrgyz Republic following an earthquake on October 5, 2008. The Ambassador and the Regional Mission believe that it appears likely that USG assistance will be necessary and appropriate. However, limited access and communication with the affected areas are hampering assessments and relief operations. It appears likely that over the next few days, with more information available, the number of people in need of assistance will grow. End Summary. ¶2. Background: On October 5, 2008 at 10:00 pm local time (plus 6 GMT) an earthquake of magnitude 6.6 on Richter scale occurred in the South of Kyrgyzstan (39.515 degrees North, 73.768 degrees East) at the border with Tajikistan and China. The same area was subsequently hit by aftershocks of magnitude 5.1 and 4.6. All tremors were between 27 and 35 kilometers deep. The worst affected areas are located in the Chon-Alai and Alai regions, approximately 220 kilometers from the main city of Osh. Chon-Alai has a total population of 21,800 in 17 settlements and Alai has 72,600 inhabitants in 57 settlements. The areas are at high altitude and sparsely populated. The main access road to the area has been significantly damaged by the tremor, limiting access to the affected populations. Limited access and communication with the affected areas is hampering assessments and relief operations. It is likely that over the next few days, with more information available, the number of people known to be in need of assistance will grow. Currently, data on the impact of the earthquake is only available for Nura village, which has been badly affected. According to preliminary data provided by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan, 69 people were killed in this village alone and another 60 people need urgent evacuation and medical aid. Seventy percent of the entire infrastructure in the village has been completely destroyed. Assessments are on-going in other settlements, including Bordar village, which is feared to be strongly affected. (Note: According to OCHA assessments, which are still on-going, the affected region has a total population of approximately 100,000 inhabitants located in 80 villages. End note.) The total number of identified affected individuals is likely to increase in the coming days. ¶3. During a coordination meeting held on October 6, 2008, the Ministry of Emergency Situations informed representatives of international donors and Embassies that they are currently assessing casualties, damages and needs in the surrounding villages in the affected Rayons (administrative entities.) It is expected that over the coming days the known number of affected individuals will increase. The latest information from the Rapid Emergency Assessment and Coordination Team, which has been operating on the spot, is that the death toll stands at 74 persons (including 43 children up to 14 years old.) More than 95% of all buildings in Nura have been completely destroyed. ¶4. The Government of Kyrgyzstan and international organization response to date: Led by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, relief efforts were immediately initiated by the government, United Nations Agencies, international NGOs, and foreign governments, including the U.S. Embassy (which has provided 15 bales (or 750 kilograms) of used clothes and 1000 syringes.) The response by the Ministry and other donors has included the provision of winterized tents, heaters, blankets, food, mattresses, and money for food items. ¶5. The Ministry of Emergency Situations has requested a variety of aid from the international community, including shelter, logistics, food items and non-food items (such as blankets, mattresses, and sleeping bags.) Specifically, the Ministry requested the following from the U.S. Embassy: 300 field beds, 300 mattresses, 600 flashlights, and 300 sleeping bags. The Embassy is working through CHAP to provide as much of this as possible, however, current estimates are that CHAP will not have enough on hand to accommodate the entire request. ¶6. Mission will keep addressees updated as additional information becomes available. GFOELLER