U.S. AIDS PHILIPPINES IN TIME OF TYPHOON NEED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002112 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: U.S. AIDS PHILIPPINES IN TIME OF TYPHOON NEED REFTELS: A) 2098 B) Manila 2089 C) Manila 2070 D) Manila 2056 E) Manila 2049 F) Manila 2046 ¶1. (SBU) Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name Ketsana) dumped 16 inches of rain in 12 hours on Manila and the island of Luzon on September 26, killing 288 and displacing 700,000. One week later, Typhoon Pepeng (international name Parma) hit northern Luzon with 90 mile per hour winds, leaving 14 dead and 170,000 homeless. The storms impacted over four million Filipinos and caused over $200 million in damage. Embassy Manila received inquiries as to the whereabouts of 105 American citizens in flood-affected areas, has accounted for 76 of these, and continues to engage local officials regarding the remaining 29. -------------- U.S. Response Swift, Decisive -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On September 28 the Ambassador exercised her disaster relief authority and requested $100,000 from the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA),and the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOT-F) was redeployed to Manila for rescue and relief operations. On September 29, post proposed that U.S. forces scheduled to be in the Philippines for the Talon Vision/ Philippines Bilateral Exercise (PHILBEX) exercise be redirected to disaster relief. The first of these forces arrived two days later and continue to provide assistance. Also on September 29, post requested additional Department of Defense and USAID OFDA funds. -------------- Embassy Manila Back on Line -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Management staff have fully restored Embassy power and communications and all offices are functioning normally. Post is working to secure funding from the Foreign Service National (FSN) Relief Fund for the approximately 200 locally employed Embassy staff who have requested assistance. (Note: Many major Manila employers, including, for example the Asian Development Bank, have provided assistance to employees affected by the flooding. End Note.) -------------- U.S.A.I.D. -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The initial $100,000 USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance funds provided to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)on September 29 was used to purchase food and non food items (cooking sets and hygiene kits) that were distributed to over 1,300 families in Quezon City, Tanay, Marikina and other hard-hit areas. Additional OFDA non-food relief items (water containers, hygiene kits and plastic sheeting valued at $390,000) arrived on Friday, October 2. The PNRC is distributing these materials in coordination with the U.S. and Philippine military units to approximately 4,000 families in Pasig City and Laguna province. ¶4. (SBU) The OFDA will allocate an additional $1,000,000 in emergency aid to the Philippines for a total cash contribution of $1,800,000. A $500,000 three month grant will be awarded to the World Food Program from the latter sum to improve relief-supply logistics. USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors continue to assess conditions on the ground, formulate the subsequent USG response and coordinate between the Government of the Philippines, NGOs, United Nations agencies, and the U.S. military. USAID bilateral health programs are providing health education teams to augment the U.S. military medical mission. -------------- U.S. Military Assistance -------------- MANILA 00002112 002 OF 002 ¶4. (SBU) In coordination with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine NDDC personnel, the U.S. military has provided rescue and relief assistance since the early stages of the disaster. The U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOT-F) mobilized a helicopter and four rubber boats in initial rescue efforts, saving more than 50 people stranded by high flood waters and distributing over 300 food packs. ¶5. (SBU) Since October 1, members of the Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) have deployed earthmoving equipment, five seven-ton trucks and five cargo Humvees to deliver more than 7,000 family food packs, treat approximately 1500 patients, and distributed 37 goodwill boxes with shoes and clothing. III MEF troops are also removing debris, evaluating flood damage and conducting site surveys for future medical operations. -------------- Next Steps -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Arrival of additional equipment and personnel from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit on October 5 will double the scale of the U.S. military relief effort. Area of relief operations will be expanded outside Metro Manila to encompass aerial delivery of relief supplies to Talim Island. On October 6, III MEF medical personnel will provide medical treatment to 1,600 flood victims at a "super MEDCAP". Ambassador spoke separately today with Philippine Foreign Secretary Romulo, Defense Secretary Teodoro and Armed Forces chief Ibrado. All were very pleased with the U.S. response and felt we were filling important gaps in their relief efforts. -------------- Weather Prognosis -------------- ¶7. (U) According to current projections, Typhoon Pepeng (international name Parma) will linger off the coast of Luzon for five days or more. Meteorologists caution that Typhoon Pepeng may interact with the incipient typhoon Melor and 'loop back' into the region, possibly again impacting Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon island with heavy rains. Kenney