FIJI ASKS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR CYCLONE GENE

UNCLAS SUVA 000059

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PGOV SENV FJ
SUBJECT: FIJI ASKS INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY FOR CYCLONE GENE
RELIEF ASSISTANCE

REF: SUVA 34


1. (U) On 2/13, Fiji's interim government (IG) briefed the
international community on its assessment of damage caused by
tropical cyclone Gene, which passed over parts of Fiji 1/28
and 1/29. Total damage is estimated by the IG to be FJ$45.4
million (approximately USD 30 million). The IG asked the
international community to consider providing assistance
based on the information presented. According to the
presentation, the breakdown of sectoral damage follows:

--agriculture - FJ$22.8 million
--roads and jetties - FJ$13.3 million
--water supply - FJ$5 million
--health system - FJ$1.4 million
--electricity - FJ$1.3 million
--rural dwellings - FJ$1.2 million
--education - FJ$288 thousand
--forestry - FJ$212 thousand

The spokesperson noted that damage to the health system
refers to flooding of the Fiji School of Nursing and the
Navua hospital. He noted that both facilities had been
flooded in 2004 and said the damage assessment reflects
repairs still unfinished from that flood as well as the cost
of the more recent damage.


2. (U) The IG said immediate needs are as follows:

--food rations for 51,066 people - FJ$1.7 million
(preliminary figure)
--safe drinking water - FJ$1.67 million
--housing rehabilitation - FJ$1.121 million; 297 damaged
houses
--road access (to hospitals, schools, workplaces, markets for
produce, etc.) - FJ$13.3 million

The spokesperson noted that the IG has already allocated
FJ$1.7 million for the food rations. He said the Fiji Red
Cross is helping to provide water purification tablets in
affected areas and another NGO is helping with temporary
shelters.


3. (U) The IG identified the following long-term needs, not
included in the FJ$45.4 million damage assessment:

--Dredging of silt at estuaries of major rivers - FJ$7.2
million
--Technical expertise in disaster risk reduction mitigation
programs (no cost given)
--Mainstreaming of climate change into national policies and
programs (no cost given)


4. (SBU) There were no questions after the presentation and
no immediate offers of assistance. The Japan Ambassador told
us this afternoon that since his government's disaster
assistance focuses on immediate needs, he sees very little
likelihood that Japan will offer assistance. We understand
that the PRC donated FJ$30 thousand to the Fiji Red Cross
last week.


5. (SBU) Comment: In light of the fact that immediate
needs like food rations and drinking water have already been
addressed (by the IG and the Fiji Red Cross, respectively),
there does not appear to be a compelling need for U.S.
disaster assistance.




DINGER