AMBASSADOR DECLARES DISASTER IN HADRAMOUT AND MAHRA

UNCLAS SANAA 001755 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT for DCHA/OFDA:RANDREW, NEA/ARP:AMACDONALD, and PRM BRUSSELS for USEC ROME pass FODAG GENEVA for USAID and RMA BANGKOK for OFDA Regional Advisor E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID YM SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR DECLARES DISASTER IN HADRAMOUT AND MAHRA ¶1. Summary and Action Request: Ambassador Seche declares a humanitarian disaster in the Hadramout and Mahra governorates of eastern Yemen following a tropical storm and related flash flooding that occurred between October 23 and October 25. The Ambassador requests that DCHA/OFDA immediately commit USD 50,000 to pay for transport of emergency nutritional support to the region. The funds will be used by the World Food Program. End summary. ¶2. Background: on October 23 a tropical storm designated Tropical Storm Three struck Hadramout and Mahra in Eastern Yemen. The remoteness of some of the affected areas and impassible roads have hindered needs assessment and complete information on the scope of the damage is still not available. The ROYG's Crisis Center informed the donor community on October 27 that there are 180 dead, circa 40 missing, 10,000 internally displaced persons and 2,000 homes destroyed. Oxfam estimates that between 700 and 1000 homes have been destroyed in the city of Seyoun alone. Deputy Prime Minister al-Arhabi appealed to the donor community for assistance in the form of: foodstuffs, tents, water purification, temporary bridges, pumping equipment, medicine, and other items. Most homes and other buildings in outlying areas are constructed of mud and so are particularly vulnerable to damage from flooding. Medecins Sand Frontieres is concerned about water-borne diseases and notes that there were known cases of cholera in the region prior to the flooding. ¶3. Hadramout and Mahra have a combined total population of 1.17 million. Numerous roads in the region are impassible and electricity and telephone service are spotty at best. Limited access and communication with the affected areas continues to hamper full assessments and relief operations. There are currently two rapid assessment teams in the region, one from the United Nations, and one from the Yemeni government. It is likely that information will continue to come in over the next few days. ¶4. Numerous private individuals and regional governments have pledged support but as of October 27 only the ROYG-led efforts are actually providing assistance on the ground. Military sources report the ROYG is flying in supplies to the region with fixed wing aircraft. The World Food Program is transporting 16 tons of food to the region and has asked for financial assistance from the embassy. The embassy is working with CENTCOM to coordinate DoD-funded, in-kind assistance. ¶5. Mission will keep addressees updated as additional information becomes available. SECHE