PAKISTAN IDP CRISIS: UPDATE ON EMBASSY EFFORTS - GETTING

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001030 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREF PK EAID PREL PTER SUBJECT: PAKISTAN IDP CRISIS: UPDATE ON EMBASSY EFFORTS - GETTING OUT THE MESSAGE REF: A) Islamabad 1026 B) Islamabad 1007 C) Islamabad 996 D) Islamabad 967 E) Islamabad 940 1.(SBU) Summary: Embassy is making a strong effort to meet immediate emergency IDP assistance needs as they are presented to us, to help build the GOP's capacity to respond to the emergency, to make Pakistanis aware of support being provided by the American people, and to help the GOP publicize both its own IDP emergency response and information helpful to IDPs. The Embassy Office of Defense Coordination is working with CENTCOM on contingency plans we can offer the GOP. Ambassador will meet May 14 with Lt. General Nadeem, the GOP's new lead on the IDP emergency response, and with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres; Embassy will host a donors' briefing by Guterres May 15. End summary. 2.(SBU) Embassy Islamabad and Consulate Peshawar are assisting the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the FATA Secretariat Media Cell and the National Disaster and Management Agency with communications outreach to the IDPs and publicity about USG support. Posts are producing press releases and seeking approval from the Department for a New York Times interview with the Ambassador. We will organize a U.S. media trip to IDP camp locations when security permits. In addition, the Ambassador will do a telephone interview with Al Jazeera English on the IDP situation on May 14. 3)(SBU) Post is reviewing the possibility of leasing sound trucks to reach out to IDPs still in transit and exploring establishment of an FM radio station in a secure area of Malakand to provide current information on the status of the camps, directions for assistance, and general information and news to the IDPs. We can supplement these messages with five hours a day of fresh radio content developed by the Public Affairs Section. 4)(U) With funding from USAID/OTI, Consulate Peshawar has provided IT and communication equipment to establish an Emergency Response Unit (ERU) within the NWFP Civil Secretariat, transferred two public relations staff from the FATA Secretariat media cell to the ERU, and established a media cell in the ERU. The Cell has started to produce messages and five- minute documentaries on the IDP situation. 5)(U) Through IOM, OFDA has ordered and expects to deliver shortly 30,000 non-food item family kits and 5,000 family tents. OFDA is meeting with NGO partners to plan future IDP services in anticipation of release of the UN's revised Pakistan Humanitarian Response Plan. NGO partners (e.g. Save the Children, IRC, IOM, International Medical Corps, Merlin) are preparing to take the lead in service delivery in specific sectors in camps. 6)(U) On May 13, the U.S. provided generators and transformers to power water pumps and lights benefitting more than 22,000 IDPs in the NWFP. Other logistical equipment provided included laptop computers, rental cars and internet connectivity to assist the provincial government's emergency support operations. 7)(U) The Embassy Office of Defense Representative is working with CENTCOM to identify a full range of options(to include possible medical and lift assistance)to support the GOP and the Pakistani military in IDP assistance. We await defined requirements from GOP/PAKMIL. 8)(SBU) The Ambassador will meet May 14 with Lt. General Nadeem, the GOP's lead on the IDP emergency response, and with UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and will also host a donors' briefing by the Guterres. She will push for a coordinated emergency response, information for donors on humanitarian response plans, and an increased UN presence on the ground. PATTERSON