DISASTER DECLARATION: EARTHQUAKE IN WEST SUMATERA,

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001643 AIDAC STATE FOR EAP, USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA KLUU, ACONVERY, AND RTHAYER, ANE FOR KROSEN, BANGKOK FOR ADWYER, NSC FOR PMARCHAM, GENEVA FOR NKYLOH, PACOM FOR POLAD/J3/J5 FROM CHARGE OSIUS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV CASC ECON EAID SENV ID SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION: EARTHQUAKE IN WEST SUMATERA, INDONESIA ¶1. This is an action request. Please see paras 2 and 8. ¶2. Action request: Mission requests USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) consideration, approval and transmission of fund cite to allow for the transfer of USD300, 000 to support emergency response interventions for 7.6 earthquake in West Sumatra Province on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. The Charge d'Affaires has determined that the disaster is of sufficient magnitude that it is beyond the capacity of local entities to respond adequately, the Government of Indonesia desires and will accept U.S. Government assistance, and it is in the best interest of the USG to respond. ¶3. An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the USGS Richter scale struck West Sumatra Province, on Wednesday September 30, 2009 at 17:16 local time affecting Padang, the capital city of the province, and the adjoining Pariaman district. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at approximately 57 kilometers southwest of Pariaman. Local media reported that tremors were felt in several cities in Medan, Jambi, Pekanbaru, as well as in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. A second earthquake measuring 5.5 on Richter scale occurred at 17:38 hours; with the epicenter at approximately 22 kilometers southwest of Pariaman. Due to the significant damage caused by the earthquake, Charge d'Affaires Theodore Osius hereby declares a disaster and requests USD50, 000 in disaster assistance authority funds, as well as an additional USD250, 000 to support emergency response interventions. The funding will be used to support emergency distributions of non-food items. ¶4. All known American citizens in the area are accounted for. We do not believe any American citizens were killed; however, ONE has been injured in the earthquake and is receiving appropriate care. ¶5. Initial reports state that 200 people have died, hundreds are injured and many are still trapped in collapsed buildings in the affected areas. Access to the affected area is difficult due to damage to roads and bridges from the quakes and subsequent landslides. ¶6. President Yudhoyono and six GOI Ministers departed for West Sumatra this morning to assess conditions and provide initial response, including the Ministers of Social Affairs, Health, Public Works, Home Affairs, Transportation and the Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare. ¶7. USAID/Indonesia and USAID/OFDA Bangkok staff are maintaining close coordination and expect to shortly make determinations on the most appropriate emergency interventions to be supported with USG assistance. USAID/Indonesia will assume responsibility for all related contracting and the disbursement of the funds. ¶8. In light of the magnitude of the quake and the request for assistance from the Government of Indonesia, the Embassy requests that OFDA deploy a DART team to Indonesia to assist with the response to the quake. ¶9. Post will request Washington to issue a condolence message septel. Osius