Disaster Declaration - Khartoum Floods

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001073 NSC FOR MGAVIN, LETIM DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN ADDIS ABABA ALSO FOR USAU GENEVA FOR NKYLOH UN ROME FOR HSPANOS NEW YORK FOR DMERCADO SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI UN SU SUBJECT: Disaster Declaration - Khartoum Floods ¶1. (U) This is an action message. Please see Paragraph 6. ¶2. (U) Summary: In late August, heavy rains in Khartoum State caused massive flooding in Soba Aradi, Mayo, Jebel Aulia, and other settlements largely occupied by South Sudanese and Darfuri war-displaced populations. Houses and latrines overflowed and collapsed. Sudanese officials, U.N. agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) responded to immediate response needs, but have requested international assistance. The latter is needed to prevent a public health emergency due to the appalling sanitation situation that resulted from the flooding. The Government of Sudan (GOS) lacks the capacity to respond to the crisis and has requested international assistance. It is in the foreign policy interest of the USG to assist Sudan. Charge d'Affaires Robert E. Whitehead therefore declares a disaster due to the sanitation crisis due to flooding in Khartoum State. End Summary. Government, NGOs Respond to Flooding, Request Assistance -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) Between August 23-29, Khartoum State received unusually heavy rain resulting in widespread flooding and a 22-hour power outage throughout the region. During August 29- 30, Sudanese government officials and humanitarian organizations conducted joint assessments of flood damage and immediate needs. According to Catholic Relief Services (CRS),which works in the IDP settlements and participated in the assessment, flooding affected 22,291 households and damaged or destroyed 6,750 latrines. Local media reports indicated that rain storms had resulted in the death of at least 14 people and the collapse of 68 schools. ¶4. (U) Government agencies and NGOs responded immediately with assistance for shelter and clean drinking water for those displaced by the floods. However, on September 6, the Khartoum State Ministry of Health requested additional assistance to respond to public health concerns caused by damaged and flooded latrines. CRS notes that many affected people remain without appropriate shelter, and that additional assistance is required. Disaster Declaration -------------- ¶5. (U) As Chief of Mission, I hereby declare a flooding disaster in Sudanese state of Khartoum due heavy rain, and requests USAID/OFDA assistance be made available to assist the affected communities in Soba, Mayo, and other IDP settlements around Khartoum State. The scale of the sanitation emergency exceeds the Government of Sudan's and the State of Khartoum's joint capacity to respond, and poses a severe public health risk to the community. The Government of Sudan has indicated it wishes to receive USG assistance. It is in the interest of the United States to provide help based on local needs assessments conducted by U.N. agencies and NGOs. Such assistance will help prevent an outbreak of cholera and other waterborne diseases in these densely populated areas. ¶6. (U) The Charge requests USD 50,000 through the Chief of Mission authority to support CRS efforts to respond to the public health risk in Khartoum. WHITEHEAD