BURMA: CYCLONE NARGIS SITREP NO. 16

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 RANGOON 000422 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. 16 REF: RANGOON 413 AND PREVIOUS SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (SBU) EMBASSY OPERATIONS: Embassy Rangoon operated on city power and had full diesel fuel tanks. Most Embassy residences have returned to city power, and Management is now focusing on clearing debris away from properties. No criminal incidents involving American staff were reported. ¶2. (SBU) U.S. RELIEF FLIGHTS: Five C-130 relief flights were cleared and scheduled to arrive in Rangoon on May 28. Three of them have been consigned to NGOs. We have received clearances for an additional five flights on May 29. ¶3. (SBU) SITUATION ON THE GROUND: The GOB has allowed some UN and NGO workers into remote areas of the delta. The Government newspaper New Light of Myanmar announced on May 28 that all donors individually or in groups may make donations and travel to storm-hit areas of their choice. OFDA/DART Team Leader Bill Berger continued to explore ways to supply aid to the delta, particularly in the shelter, family, and water and sanitation areas. USAID Dr. John MacArthur arrived on May 27 to assist in the health sector. ¶4. (SBU) NOTE: Since relief efforts have become increasingly routine, Embassy has returned to normal operations, and the Department's virtual task force has been disbanded, we will discontinue these daily updates. This will enable us to address specific Cyclone Nargis issues as they arise in more detail. End note. EMBASSY OPERATIONS -------------- ¶5. (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. Management is focusing on clearing debris away from Embassy properties. ¶6. (SBU) CONSULAR: Consular continued to operate normally. ¶7. (SBU) AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE: No new EFMs have requested to depart on authorized departure since May 24. ¶8. (SBU) FUEL AND POWER: The Embassy operated on city power and had full diesel storage tanks. Most residences are operating on city power as well. ¶9. (SBU) WATER: The Embassy continued to have adequate water supplies and purification capacity on hand. ¶10. (SBU) SECURITY: No criminal incidents involving American staff were reported. Security around Rangoon remains heightened, particularly around bridges and roads leading to the delta region. U.S. RELIEF FLIGHTS -------------- ¶11. (SBU) Five C-130 relief flights were cleared and scheduled to arrive in Rangoon on May 28. Three of them carry consignment shipments for NGOs. We received clearances for five flights on May 29. Nine of the ten flights expected for May 29 and 30 are consigned to NGOs. SITUATION ON THE GROUND -------------- ¶12. (SBU) CONDITIONS, CASUALTIES AND DAMAGE: On May 28, the GOB newspaper New Light of Myanmar announced that donors, individually or in groups, may make donations and travel to the storm-hit areas of their choice. The GOB cautioned RANGOON 00000422 002 OF 002 "wellwishers" to remain systematic in their aid efforts. Some UN and NGO workers were allowed into remote areas of the delta on May 27. The UN will brief donors this afternoon on access and coordination. ¶13. (SBU) RECOVERY AND RELIEF: OFDA/DART Team Leader Bill Berger met with the shelter, family, and water and sanitation aid clusters on May 27. Of concern in addressing the health needs in the delta region is that there is no cold chain through which to store and transport medications that require refrigeration into the affected area. USAID Dr. John MacArthur has arrived to enable us to follow issues in the health sector more closely. ¶14. (SBU) FUEL: Fuel prices in Rangoon nearly returned to pre-cyclone levels. ¶15. (SBU) FOOD AND WATER: Food prices in Rangoon continued to drop, but most were still higher than before the cyclone. Shortages in the delta continued. ¶16. (SBU) ELECTRICITY: The GOB continued to restore power to select parts of Rangoon. ¶17. (SBU) LAW AND ORDER: We received no reports of looting or public disturbances in or around Rangoon. ¶18. (SBU) NOTE: Since relief efforts have become increasingly routine, the Embassy has returned to normal operations, and the Department's virtual task force has been disbanded, we will discontinue these daily updates. This will enable us to address specific Cyclone Nargis issues as they arise in more detail. End note. VILLAROSA