BAGHDAD BOMBINGS: USG ASSISTANCE COORDINATION

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002904 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ASEC PGOV PTER IZ SUBJECT: BAGHDAD BOMBINGS: USG ASSISTANCE COORDINATION WORKING GROUP - OCTOBER 30 UPDATE REF: A. A) BAGHDAD 2877 ¶B. B)BAGHDAD 2883 C) BAGHDAD 2884 D) BAGHDAD 2889 E) BAGHDAD 2900 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Post's Assistance Coordination Working Group continues to monitor and organize assistance to the GOI following the October 25 bombings. Delivery of laptops and other equipment to the Higher Judicial Council (HJC) will allow it to become functional by November 1. The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) continues to assess the damage and seek temporary work space but hopes to begin headquarters operations within a week. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Iraq (UNHCR) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) have provided emergency kits to families living near the bomb site and will assist in housing repairs. End Summary. ¶2. (SBU) INL has expedited existing programming to improve computer connectivity and data management for the HJC and MOJ. INL has also offered emergency work space and office supplies to the MOJ IT staff who are currently seeking reestablishment of their office. 20 laptops will be delivered to the Karkh Appellate Courthouse (temporary quarters for the HJC) on October 31, aimed at making the HJC functional and operational by November 1. ¶3. (SBU) The MOJ building (which also houses the HJC headquarters) suffered the most damage in the bombings. In a meeting with Minister of Justice Dara on the evening of October 29, he told us all floors of the MOJ building were severely damaged, with many cracked floors and dropped ceilings. Dara has been making the rounds at various hospitals to visit injured staff. Dara also told us the DG for Gazettes was seriously injured when he was blown out of his second story office and landed in his chair on the traffic circle. He remains in critical condition. Electricity, plumbing, and utilities are down. MOJ is currently reviewing the National Security Council Building and Real Estate and Registrar Office for use as temporary work space and hopes to restart ministerial headquarters operations within a week. MOJ has set up a table on the first floor of its building to handle employee concerns about the missing and injured. Gulf Region Division (GRD) engineers will begin structural assessments of the MOJ/HJC building next week. Dara said the greatest immediate needs were vehicles and laptops. ¶4. (SBU) USAID reported that the Ministry of Municipalities and Public Works (MMPW) has requested an infrastructure security protection assessment at their old Mansour compound for use as temporary work space. ITAO and the GRD are working to respond to this request. ¶5. (U) United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported no requests for humanitarian assistance from the GOI other than supplies of anesthetics. On October 27, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Iraq (UNHCR) made an assessment of 590 families who live near the bomb site and found 25 homes severely damaged, 150 homes had minor damage, and 200 apartments suffered minor damage. UNHCR -- in coordination with the Deputy Governor of Baghdad, members of the Baghdad Provincial Council, Ministry of Displacement and Migration, and the Baghdad Operations Command -- sent emergency non-food item (NFI) kits including blankets, gas stoves, plastic sheeting, kitchen sets, hygiene kits and lanterns, to 590 affected families. UNHCR will also assist with necessary repairs. International Organization for Migration (IOM) also has household NFIs available if needed. QMigration (IOM) also has household NFIs available if needed. IOM reported that more than 75 shops were damaged, suffering broken windows and roofs, and is prepared to assist with repairs. HILL