TROPICAL STORM ONDOY LASHES MANILA;

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002049 SENSITIVE SIPDIS BANGKOK FOR USAID /OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. DWYER USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER USAID W/ FOR ANE/AA AND DCHA/FPP GENEVA FOR N. KYLOH USUN FOR OFDA REP BRUSSELS FOR P. BROWN ROME FOR USAID/OHA H. SPANOS SECDEF FOR SOLIC JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR J3/J4/J5 PACOM FOR J3/J4/J5 NSC FOR P. MARCHAM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL KPAO SENV EAGR RP SUBJECT: TROPICAL STORM ONDOY LASHES MANILA; FLOODING DISPLACES THOUSANDS; USG RESPONSE REFTELS: A) Manila 2046 B) Manila 1909 ¶1. (U) On Saturday September 26 tropical storm Ondoy (international name Ketsana) deposited 16 inches of rain in 12 hours and inundated large sections of Metro Manila and the island of Luzon. The storm accelerated and changed course as it arrived in Luzon, and caught the Philippines unprepared for the torrential rainfall. The government has declared a national calamity in Metro Manila and 27 provinces in Luzon, and the National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) estimates that over 450,000 people were affected by the storm, with 100 people believed dead and dozens missing. Floodwaters damaged thousands of homes, and approximately 50,000 persons have sought shelter in evacuation centers. -------------- U.S. Assistance -------------- ¶2. (SBU) At the request of the Government of the Philippines, The U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOTF-P) mobilized a helicopter and four rubber boats to aid with assistance efforts. They distributed relief supplies and helped rescue an estimated 50 people from inundated areas of the city on Sunday, operating until midnight. The Ambassador has declared a disaster and requested $100,000 from the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance to be provided to the Philippine National Red Cross (reftel A). -------------- Embassy Flooding -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Embassy Chancery building was flooded during the storm, with power and communications temporarily cut. Power has yet to be restored to this building, with cleanup and repairs ongoing. The Embassy was closed to the public Monday September 28th, but will be open on the 29th, offering Consular and other services from the Annex building. Staff is working to restore the Chancery building's systems for a possible re-opening on September 29. Embassy direct- hire and locally-employed staff families were also affected, with several houses flooded and families moving to temporary housing. Post will contact the Foreign Service National Relief Fund for information on support that can be provided to locally employed staff. Liberal leave will be granted to Embassy employees this week for all who are affected by the flooding. ¶4. (SBU) The Consular Section has received inquiries on behalf of 43 American citizens believed to be stranded in various flood- stricken areas. Staff has located and confirmed the well-being of 23 of these individuals, and has also confirmed the MANILA 00002049 002 OF 002 safety of all American citizen prisoners. The NDCC provided names of identified casualties and so far, none are American citizens. When the Embassy switchboard went down, staff created a Yahoo address for American citizen inquiries and publicized it through a press announcement. -------------- Next Steps -------------- ¶5. (SBU) The Embassy's Emergency Action Committee has formulated next steps, which include offering continued assistance to the GRP, Red Cross and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on rescuing stranded persons and delivery of relief supplies. The Ambassador has been in touch with senior Philippine officials on our continuing efforts; the GRP has expressed gratitude. An official from the USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance in Bangkok will arrive Tuesday to help coordinate relief and recovery efforts. The Embassy Staff is also exploring with the U.S. military ways to expedite and redirect community relations projects planned for the upcoming Talon Vision/Philippines Bilateral Exercise (PHIBLEX) to help areas affected by this disaster. -------------- Comment -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Philippines remains one of the world's most disaster-prone nations. The Embassy and U.S. military's ability to react quickly and effectively to recent disasters - a ferry that capsized on September 6 (reftel B) and now this flooding - highlights the value of close engagement with the USG. Our efforts at this time of heated dialogue and political posturing over the value of the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement help demonstrate that the agreement can positively affect the lives of ordinary Filipinos in times of need. KENNEY