HAITI: DONORS URGE GOVERNMENT TO ASSESS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PORT AU PRINCE 001303 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX, WHA/CAR VDEPIRRO, S/ES-O/CMS, S/CRS, INR/IAA STATE PASS USAID FOR LAC/CAR, OFDA STATE PASS TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PREL PINR PGOV EAID ECON HA SUBJECT: HAITI: DONORS URGE GOVERNMENT TO ASSESS INFRASTRUCTURE REF: A. PORT AU PRINCE 01294 ¶B. PORT AU PRINCE 01284 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) Donors, representing the U.S., Canada, the European Union (EU),the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH),Germany, the Inter-American Development Bank and France, met September 11 with the intention to discuss findings from an initial Government of Haiti assessment of infrastructure damage as a result of recent floods. However, no representative from the Ministry of Public Works (TPTC) was present. TPTC was instead represented by a French national, serving as a TPTC consultant. Donors agreed to develop an inventory of available resources to ensure effective coordination in efforts to help Haiti rebuild critical infrastructure given the devastation caused by recent floods. Aerial Assessment -------------- ¶2. SBU) MINUSTAH's chief engineer discussed the September 10 helicopter assessment flight -- which included engineers from the USS Kearsarge Navy vessel, TPTC, USAID -- intended to assess the bridges at Ennery, which provides access to the northern region, and Chalon, which provides access to the southern peninsula (reftel A). He noted it was impossible to reach Ennery due to the condition of the road after passing Gonaives, an area greatly impacted by recent floods. Engineers were able to inspect damage to the Chalon Bridge and view a portion of National Road, number 1, which was entirely covered by water (up to 5 feet) from Lake Miragoane. Donors Respond: TPTC Absent -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Most donors considered it essential to adopt a parallel strategy of carrying out emergency repairs and putting in place immediate solutions, such as bailey bridges, culverts, etc., while simultaneously ensuring that long-term solutions be programmed. ¶4. (SBU) The USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance representative noted that the U.S. is prepared to intervene with a very short-term relief effort, provided the TPTC submits an assessment of the infrastructure damages with required interventions to quickly restore physical connections between the different regions. ¶5. (SBU) The Canadian representative emphasized Canada's need for an official GOH assessment and needs request. (Note: Several representatives indicated TPTC Director General Evert Eveillard was aware of the meeting and were, therefore, surprised that he did not attend. Donors later agreed that TPTC must take the lead on finalizing the official assessment for infrastructure. End note.) Donors to Identify Resources Available -------------- ¶6. (U) UN Special Representative to the Secretary General Emergency Infrastructure Working Group Chair Kay Schwendinger requested that donors identify all technical and financial resources available, including military, to assist the GOH in infrastructure rehabilitation. Schwindler later circulated a ''resource inventory information form'' for donor completion that would be consolidated and shared with other donors and with TPTC representatives. The form requests that donors urgently identify: -types of intervention underway or planned (e.g., emergency assistance, rehabilitation); -specific area of donor intervention/preference (e.g., bridges, roads); -technical assistance available (e.g., engineering, logistical, military/civilian); PORT AU PR 00001303 002 OF 002 -equipment (description, quantity, availability); -projects (ongoing, planned); and -assessments (completed, underway, planned). Schwendinger advised the group that TPTC will be holding a coordination meeting for technical experts within the next few days, and all donors would be invited. Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Engineers from the USS Kearsarge, accompanied by the USAID engineer and Executive Officer, and a TPTC official will travel September 13 to conduct an engineering assessment of the Montrouis bridge, which provides access to the Artibonite and northern regions. USS Kearsarge engineers, accompanied by the USAID Acting Deputy Director, will travel September 14 to conduct an engineering assessment of the Latheme bridge, near Mirebalais. SANDERSON