AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO PACIFIC NATURAL DISASTERS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000906

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SENV ASEC PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE TO PACIFIC NATURAL DISASTERS


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In response to Samoa's request for help following
the devastating earthquake and tsunami, Australia is sending medical
personnel and urgently needed disaster relief supplies. This
response is part of a A$2 million initial package of support, which
includes disaster relief items such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets,
mosquito nets and water containers. Assistance also includes
Australian Government personnel from AusAID, Emergency Management
Australia, the Australian Federal Police and the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade. GOA is also tracking the situation in
Tonga very closely and is ready to provide assistance. In addition,
and in response to the official request for assistance from the
Philippines government in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Ketsana,
the GOA approved an initial contribution of up to A$1 million to
relief efforts by humanitarian agencies on the ground. Post sent
complete list of GOA assistance via email separately to the
Department. END SUMMARY.

Samoa
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2. (SBU) In response to a request from the Government of Samoa for
emergency assistance, the Australian Government's humanitarian
relief effort for victims of the earthquake and tsunami-devastated
island nation of Samoa has been swift and is ongoing. AusAID Deputy
Director General Catherine Walker passed Pol/Econcouns details of
the Australian response to the Samoa earthquake and tsunami
(including Tonga),as well as the Philippines. Post sent the
complete listing separately via email to EAP and NSC.


3. (SBU) Assistance also includes GOA personnel from AusAID,
Emergency Management Australia, the Australian Federal Police and
the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. A summary of GOA
assistance to Samoa follows:

-- A commercial 737 (chartered by AusAID) with a 46-person team of
emergency responders, including a specialist medical team. The team
already arrived in Apia, reported to the High Commission and members
have been dispatched to make assessments at various affected areas.


-- Royal Australian Air Force aircraft are providing significant
air-lift support to transport: 20 tonnes of AusAID emergency
supplies, such as tents, tarpaulins, blankets, mosquito nets and
water containers; an ADF aeromedical evacuation team; and a number
of civilian medical teams.

-- The state of New South Wales is sending 26 personnel, including
trauma, emergency and public health experts.

-- The state of Victoria is mobilizing two teams: one public health
and one mass casualty team.

-- GOA is coordinating with and assisting New Zealand to deploy
assistance.

Tonga
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4. (SBU) Australia has offered to assist with emergency relief and
stands ready to support Tonga's reconstruction effort. The GOA is
tracking reports of serious damage on the island of Niuatoputapu in
the Niuas Group of Islands in Tonga. According to Walker, the main
town of Hihifo has been badly damaged but exact details are not yet
Qtown of Hihifo has been badly damaged but exact details are not yet
known.
Initial reports put the death toll at seven, three missing and four
critically injured. An Australian medical team that was in Tonga on
a private medical mission is on standby and awaiting a request for
their assistance.

Tropical Storm Ketsana in the Philippines
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CANBERRA 00000906 002 OF 002




5. (SBU) In response to the official request for international
assistance from the Philippines government, the Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Stephen Smith, approved (28 September) an initial
Australian contribution of up to A$1 million to relief efforts by
humanitarian agencies on the ground, including the Philippines
National Red Cross. Australia is awaiting details from the
Philippines National Disaster Coordination Centre (NDCC) before
deciding on further assistance.


6. (SBU) Comment: No comment.

CLUNE