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