Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BISHKEK1030
2008-10-07 11:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bishkek
Cable title:  

AMBASSADOR GFOELLER PROVIDES ALERT TO DISASTER IN

Tags:  EAID KG 
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VZCZCXYZ0013
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEK #1030 2811134
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 071134Z OCT 08 ZDK
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1427
INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA IMMEDIATE 2187
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

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