DISASTER ALERT: EARTHQUAKE IN NORTHERN MALAWI

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000654 SIPDIS OFDA/W FOR CCHAN, ACONVERY, FSHANKS, TDENYSENKO DCHA FOR JBROUSE PRETORIA for HHALE, PDISKIN LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD DEPT PASS TO MALAWI COLLECTIVE DEPT PASS TO MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHDC E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV EAID EMIN AF MI SUBJECT: DISASTER ALERT: EARTHQUAKE IN NORTHERN MALAWI -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. December 6, 2009 a 5.8 magnitude (Richter Scale) earthquake struck the Northern Region of Malawi, with aftershocks continuing through December 8. No fatalities were reported. Injured people were transported to Mzuzu Hospital, 150 km from the epicenter. No damage has been reported at the nearby Paladin Africa uranium mine, where operations are continuing normally. A team from the Government of Malawi, United Nations agencies and the Red Cross are in the field assessing the effects of the earthquake. The field report is expected by Friday December 11, 2009. Post will keep USG emergency response agencies abreast of the assessment results and evaluate possible USG support to the Government of Malawi. End summary. -------------- Earthquake in Malawi: What We Know -------------- ¶2. On Sunday, December 6 at 7:36 p.m., local time there was an earthquake in Karonga district, Northern Malawi. The US Government Geological Services (USGS) web page indicated a 5.8 magnitude earthquake (Richter scale). Three aftershocks measuring greater than 4.5 magnitude followed within an hour. Two large aftershocks occurred on Monday, December 7, and another of magnitude 5.9 struck today at 5:08 am local time. ¶3. On Monday, December 7, the Government of Malawi, Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) convened a meeting, chaired by Deputy Coordinator-DoDMA Gift Mafuleka (the Director was already in the field). Attending were representatives from Malawi Defence Force (MDF),the United Nations Development Program (UNDP),the World Food Program (WFP),the Red Cross and USAID. The key points from the meeting were: a. Detailed information on the extent and impact was still being gathered by local authorities; b. There were no fatalities reported. Some people were injured and sent to Mzuzu Hospital (150 km, South of Karonga). No report on number of people affected; c. One person died in the hospital, but the death was not related to the earthquake; d. Local authorities have asked the population to keep out of damaged homes. -------------- Uranium Mine Operational -------------- ¶4. Karonga is the district in Northern Malawi where Paladin Africa has recently begun operations at its Kayelekera uranium mine. Managing Director Neville Huxham told post that the situation is normal at the mine following the quake. According to Huxham, the general manager at the site reported "we felt the bumps;" after which all operations were stopped to allow an evaluation of possible damage. Operations were restarted after the inspection uncovered no leaks or faults. The facility was checked again following this morning's aftershock, with no evidence of any damages. There are no reports of damage or injuries at the nearby village of Kayelekera. The mine is currently running normally. -------------- Further Assessment Underway -------------- ¶5. On December 8, a DoDMA-led field assessment team departed for the Karonga area. The team included participants from WFP, UNICEF, UNDP and the Red Cross Society of Malawi. The field assessment will take place on Wednesday December 9. The delegation will return to Lilongwe on Friday December 11 and report. Each member team will assess field needs, depending on their field of expertise and report on number of people affected and related need (food-WFP, water/health-UNICEF/UNDP, housing/tents-Red Cross Society of Malawi). ¶6. The U.S. Mission will participate on Friday meeting with DoDMA lead field assessment team and report on needs and possible USG response. BODDE