BURMA: CYCLONE NARGIS SITREP NO. 11

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000398 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR USAID/OFDA, EAP/MLS, S/ES-O-CMS, DS/CC AND DS/IP/EAP; PACOM FOR LTC JAMIE MCADEN; BANGKOK FOR RSO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID BM SUBJECT: BURMA: CYCLONE NARGIS SITREP NO. 11 REF: RANGOON 392 AND PREVIOUS SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) EMBASSY OPERATIONS: Embassy Rangoon operated on city power and had full diesel fuel tanks. Amcit, reported in Rangoon 376 as being diagnosed with gastroentitis and dehydration at the Mawlamyine hospital, departed Rangoon for Germany on May 20. The consular section will resume visa services on May 21. No criminal incidents involving American staff were reported. ¶2. (SBU) U.S. RELIEF FLIGHTS: Five C-130 flights carrying relief supplies were cleared and scheduled to arrive in Rangoon on May 20, including one consigned to an NGO. We have requested clearance for five more flights tomorrow, May 21, with two consigned to NGOs. ¶3. (SBU) SITUATION ON THE GROUND: It rained in Rangoon and much of the delta this past weekend, exacerbating existing problems. Lt. General John Goodman arrived in Rangoon on May ¶20. The GOB granted him permission to stay in the city for a few hours today, during which time he met with members of Embassy Rangoon and toured parts of the city affected by the storm. Food prices in Rangoon have begun to drop but most are still higher than before the cyclone. Fuel prices in Rangoon dropped and are returning to pre-cyclone levels. Econ contacts reported three shiploads of diesel fuel are now arriving in Rangoon each day. EMBASSY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) STAFFING AND OPERATIONS: Embassy Rangoon operated on its normal 0800-1630 schedule subject to a liberal leave policy. Other than those on regularly scheduled leave, a full complement of local employees reported for work. ¶5. (SBU) CONSULAR: Amcit, reported in Rangoon 376 as being diagnosed with gastroentitis and dehydration at the Mawlamyine hospital, departed Rangoon for Germany on May 20. The consular section will resume visa services on May 21. ¶6. (SBU) AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE: No EFMs have departed post or requested to leave since May 13. ¶7. (SBU) FUEL AND POWER: The Embassy operated on city power and had full diesel storage tanks. ¶8. (SBU) WATER: The Embassy continued to have adequate water supplies and purification capacity on hand. ¶9. (SBU) SECURITY: No criminal incidents involving American staff were reported. U.S. RELIEF FLIGHTS -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Five C-130 flights carrying relief supplies were cleared and scheduled to arrive in Rangoon on May 20, including one consigned to an NGO. We have requested clearance for five more flights tomorrow, May 21, with two consigned to NGOs. SITUATION ON THE GROUND -------------- ¶11. (SBU) CONDITIONS, CASUALTIES AND DAMAGE: On May 19, the GOB declared a three-day mourning period for the victims of the cyclone, 17 days after it struck. Save the Children told the press it estimated 30,000 children in the delta were malnourished before the cyclone, and believed thousands of them may now be at risk of starvation. It rained in Rangoon and much of the delta this past weekend. Aid agencies and NGOs have warned the coming monsoon season will likely RANGOON 00000398 002 OF 002 exacerbate existing problems, including sanitation, health, and the provision of aid. ¶12. (SBU) RECOVERY AND RELIEF: Lt. General John Goodman arrived in Rangoon on May 20. The GOB granted him a visa on arrival which permits him to stay in Rangoon for several hours today, but not overnight. He attended Embassy Rangoon's country team meeting, met with members of the mission community, and toured parts of Rangoon affected by the storm. ¶13. (SBU) FUEL: Fuel prices in Rangoon dropped and were returning to pre-cyclone levels. We no longer observed long lines at city automobile fuel stations (CNG and gasoline). Econ contacts reported three shiploads of diesel fuel are now arriving in Rangoon each day. Private companies are taking delivery of them for sale on the open market. The fuel is currently being imported from Malaysia, but businesses are also exploring importing some from Thailand. ¶14. (SBU) FOOD AND WATER: Food prices in Rangoon have begun to drop but most were still higher than before the cyclone. Shortages in the delta continued. ¶15. (SBU) ELECTRICITY: The GOB continued to restore power to parts of Rangoon, focusing on the eastern, western, and northern parts of the city. ¶16. (SBU) LAW AND ORDER: We received no reports of widespread looting or public disturbances in or around Rangoon. VILLAROSA