ALBANIA DISASTER DECLARATION

UNCLAS TIRANA 000221

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EUR/SCE
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA, AID/W for OFDA Rob Andrew & Anne Convery
GENEVA PLEASE PASS TO USAID AND RMA
BUDAPEST PLEASE PASS TO USAID/RFMC
SOFIA FOR LEGAT ROBERTS
DEPT OF JUSTICE FOR OPDAT, ICITAP

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: SENV EAID PREL AL
SUBJECT: ALBANIA DISASTER DECLARATION

REF: TIRANA 200


1. I hereby declare a disaster in Albania to assist the large
number of people that were displaced from their homes and
livelihoods by a massive explosion that occurred in Albania on March
15 (reftel). I request USD 50,000 for immediate disaster relief from
USAID/OFDA.


2. At approximately 11:45 AM March 15, an ammunition storage
facility near the town of Gerdec, Albania caught fire. Shortly
after 12:00, a violent explosion destroyed homes in the immediate
vicinity of the depot and caused damage to the airport terminal 4.6
miles to the east and window damage as far away as Tirana 11 miles
southeast. The blast was heard in Skopje, Macedonia, over 100 miles
to the east. A second explosion a few minutes later was followed by
multiple small explosions over the next several hours.


3. According to authorities almost three hundred people were
injured, nineteen were killed, and thirty are missing. The number
of deaths will probably increase since there were reports that
people were working in the depot on a munitions dismantling project
at the time of the explosion. It is also possible the actual number
of injuries was higher. Most of the injuries were minor, caused by
flying glass and debris as far away as a major highway two miles
away, although several people with more serious injuries were flown
to Italy and Greece for emergency care.


4. According to information received from local authorities a
number of buildings, including homes, have been totally destroyed.
Some 1,700 buildings situated close to the explosion area are
damaged, over 300 are totally destroyed and six schools are
partially damaged. Health clinics and other support facilities were
also damaged and destroyed.


5. The GOA is responding with available resources consisting of
military, police and civilian assets. The initial response provided
medical assistance to the injured and transportation to nearby
hospitals in Tirana and Durres. It is estimated that 4,000 people
were evacuated from the area. Some are accommodated by relatives in
surrounding villages, while at least 700 were transported to nearby
military facilities for shelter. Recent reports indicate that
number is growing.


6. The Albanian Red Cross conducted field visits and assessments
and determined that there is a significant need for basic food and
non-food items among the affected population. Based on this
assessment the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies (IFRC) has issued an appeal to provide immediate
assistance in the form of basic food and non-food items to 3,200
beneficiaries in the three most affected villages for a period of
three months. Food items consist of flour, rice, vegetable oil,
sugar and beans. Non-food items consist of blankets, hygiene kits,
plastic sheeting, soap, washing powder and kitchen sets.


7. Experts provided by the Department of State and EUCOM estimated
cleanup of the core area around the explosion will take at least one
year, and possibly longer. Thus, it is highly likely the displaced
will require support for longer than three months.


8. The Government of Albania (GOA) has declared a state of
emergency for the affected area and has conveyed to the U.S. Embassy
that it will accept financial and humanitarian assistance.


9. I propose that OFDA disaster relief assistance, in the amount of
USD 50,000, be used to support the IFRC appeal to meet the immediate
needs of the displaced population. The U.S. Embassy will coordinate
with the GOA and other donors to avoid duplication of effort.
WITHERS