DISASTER DECLARATION FOR FLOODING IN

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 000950 AIDAC USAID/OFDA DCHA FOR DARREN MANNING E.O. 12958:N/A TAGS: EAID ASEC SOCI DCHA SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION FOR FLOODING IN GUATEMALA. 1.HEAVY AND CONSTANT RAINS HAVE OCCURRED IN SEVERAL AREAS OF GUATEMALA SINCE EARLY JULY. ACCORDING TO EXPERTS, THE RAINS ARE AN INDIRECT EFFECT OF RECENT TROPICAL DEPRESSIONS AND HURRICANE DOLLY. THE PROGNOSIS FROM INSIVUMEH THE NATIONAL METEROLGICAL INSTITUTE IS THAT HEAVY RAINS ARE EXPECTED TO CONTINUE IN THE NORTH EAST OF GUATEMALA. SERIOUS FLOODING, LANDSLIDES AND DAMAGE TO ROADS AND BRIDGES HAVE OCCURRED IN THE DEPARTMENTS OF ZACAPA, CHIMALTENAGO, CHIQUIMULA AND THE CITY OF GUATEMALA. THE HARDEST HIT AREA HAS BEEN THE MUNICIPALITY OF LA UNION. 2.CONRED, THE NATIONAL DISASTER RESPONSE AND RELIEF ORGANIZATION HAS REPORTED 15 PERSONS MISSING OR DEAD. MORE THAN 5,000 PERSONS HAVE BEEN EVACUATED FROM THEIR HOMES AND ARE LIVING IN SHELTERS IN GUALAN AND CAMOTAN. THE FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO ROADS AND BRIDGES HOWEVER DETAILED INFORMATION FROM FORMAL DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS HAS NOT YET BEEN REECIVED. 3.THE PRESIDENT OF GUATEMALA HAS DECLARED A STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR THE DEPARTMENT ZACAPA AND DECLARED A RED ALERT FOR ALL GUATEMALAN GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AND ORGANIZATIONS. THE DIRECTOR OF THE CONRED EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT HAS DISCUSSED WITH THE MDRO THE TYPE OF ASSISTANCE REQUIRED. 4.THE CHARGE DQAFFAIRES HAS DETERMINED THAT THE FLOODING IS OF SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TO WARRANT USG ASSISTANCE, AND IS EXERCISING HIS DISASTER ASSISTANCE AUTHORITY, AS PER 2 FAM 060, SECTION O61, AND 062. 5.POST THEREFORE REQUESTS THAT OFDA PROVIDE $50,000, WHICH WILL BE USED FOR THE LOCAL PURCHASE OF WATER, PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, HYGIENE KITS, OTHER RELIEF SUPPLIES AND TRANSPORTATION IF REQUIRED. 6.GIVEN THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS DISASTER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT POST WILL REQUEST ADDITIONAL FUNDING. WE WILL RELY ON THE OFDA OFFICE IN SAN JOSE FOR ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATIONS. LINDWALL