SITREP 2: Tropical Storm Alma

UNCLAS MANAGUA 000697 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CEN DEPT ALS FOR WHA/FO AND CA/OCA DEPT PLEASE PASS TO USAID/W, USAID/DCHA AND USAID OFDA USAID/W FOR A/AID FORE USAID/OFDA FOR KLUU, AFERRERA, ACONVERY, RTHAYER AND SBISWAS USAID/DCHA FOR MHESS AND GGOTTLIEB SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA TIM CALLAGHAN GENEVA FOR NKYLOH USUN ROME FOR RNEWBERG USUN FOR IMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PGOV MOPS AEMR KPAO CASC NU SUBJECT: SITREP 2: Tropical Storm Alma REF: A) Managua 0688; B) Managua 0693 ¶1. SUMMARY: On May 30, an OFDA team traveled to Leon and Chinandega to assess damage from Tropical Storm Alma. In collaboration with Nicaragua's Civil Defense and the GON's Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Agency (SINAPRED),OFDA identified roof reconstruction as the most urgent need. On June 1, 2008, USAID/Nicaragua signed a grant with Save the Children to repair the roofs of 128 homes, benefiting over 1,200 people. END SUMMARY. ¶A. Background: According to preliminary reports by Nicaragua's Civil Defense, 1,284 houses were affected by Alma, of which 17 were destroyed. A total of 1140 houses (1050 in the department of Leon and 90 in the province of Chinandega) lost their roofs. Thousands of families were evacuated in the departments of Leon, Chinandega, Masaya, Managua and Rivas. The majority of the evacuated were placed in 46 shelters in Leon and Chinandega. Since May 30, most have returned to their homes. ¶B. Civil Defense requested emergency donations of food and roofing materials. At Save the Children's request, USAID authorized the redirecting of up to 10% (22 MT) of Save the Children's P.L. 480 Title II food commodities in stock. Save will distribute 5-day rations to 380 families. OFDA Team Conducted Assessment ¶2. From May 30-31, a three-person OFDA team conducted an assessment in the affected departments. They determined that Leon and Chinandega had suffered the most damage and that the most urgent need was for roofing materials. USAID Signed an Emergency Grant with Save the Children ¶3. On May 31, USAID received a proposal from Save the Children to provide emergency assistance to the victims of Tropical Storm Alma. Save the Children has been working in the Chinandega department for six years implementing a USAID PL 480 Title II food security program in over 100 communities. Save the Children also carried out an emergency USAID grant to respond to flooding in Chinandega in October 2007. ¶4. On June 2, Ambassador Paul A. Trivelli, accompanied by Acting USAID Director Carol Horning, launched the $50,000 emergency grant with Save the Children to repair roofs in the departments of Leon and Chinandega. The event was widely covered by the two main daily newspapers and national television. TRIVELLI