Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MADRID521
2008-05-09 17:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Madrid
Cable title:  

SPAIN: HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS

Tags:  EAID PREL BM 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0023
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV
DE RUEHMD #0521 1301748
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 091748Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MADRID
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4747
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MADRID 000521 

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL BM
SUBJECT: SPAIN: HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS

REF: SECSTATE 48651

UNCLAS MADRID 000521

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL BM
SUBJECT: SPAIN: HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS

REF: SECSTATE 48651


1. (U) Summary: ESTHOff delivered reftel points on May 9 to
Carmen de Juana Velasco, Subdirector General of Cooperation
of Sub Saharan African and Asia for AECID, the Foreign
Ministry's agency for international cooperation and
development. Velasco did not provide a substantive response.
Spain has committed 500,000 euros in humanitarian
assistance, beginning with the flight of 13 tons of emergency
supplies to Bangkok to be distributed by U.N.
representatives, and 150,000 euros provided to the Spanish
Red Cross. AECID continues to publicly express concern about
the difficulty humanitarian personnel are experiencing in
entering Burma and the challenge of effectively delivery aid.
End Summary.


2. (U) Spain has committed 500,000 euros (US 775,000) in
humanitarian assistance for the victims of Cyclone Nargis in
Burma. The assistance includes donations from all Spanish
government levels including local, regional and national, and
will be coordinated by AECID with the help of the Spanish
Embassy in Thailand. The GOS has also provided 150,000 euros
to the Spanish Red Cross for humanitarian assistance to
Burmese victims.


3. (U) AECID has remained in constant contact with several
international agencies to help coordinate its assistance
including the U.N. Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs, the U.N. World Food Program, and the
European Commission,s Humanitarian Aid Department.


4. (U) As part of the first phase of its assistance, the GOS
has prepared an aircraft with 13 tons of emergency materials
including water and water purification equipment, emergency
health kits, mosquito netting, cooking equipment, and various
medical and hygiene materials. AECID reports that the
aircraft will depart on Friday, May 9 from Madrid to Bangkok
International Airport. The aircraft departure was delayed
for two days while the GOS worked to ensure that the cargo
would be effectively delivered to the victims. After meeting
in Bangkok with U.N. representatives responsible for the
humanitarian assistance operation, AECID approved the
aircraft departure. The supplies will be delivered to U.N.
representatives in Bangkok for distribution.


5. (U) AECID continues to publicly express concern that the
situation in Burma is "complicated" and "humanitarian
personnel continue to experience difficulty entering the
country." AECID will participate in meetings on Saturday,
May 10 with U.N. agencies, and in a separate meeting
organized by the European Union.
Llorens