UPDATE ON TYPHOON DAMAGE AND U.S. DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002125 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: UPDATE ON TYPHOON DAMAGE AND U.S. DISASTER ASSISTANCE TO PHILIPPINES REFTELS: A) 2098 B) Manila 2089 C) Manila 2070 D) Manila 2056 E) Manila 2049 F) Manila 2046 G) Manila 2112 ¶1. (SBU) United States-sponsored disaster assistance to the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy/Ketsana continued in full force October 6. The Government of the Philippines' figures show 295 dead, 39 missing, and nearly 350,000 people still in evacuation centers. Government damage estimates range up to $200 million in infrastructure and crops destroyed. Several areas of Metro Manila remain submerged by floodwaters. -------------- U.S. Military Assistance -------------- ¶2. (SBU) A Medical Community Action Program (MEDCAP) run by the United States Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) today treated approximately 1,600 displaced people in the Ultra Sports Stadium in Pasig City, Metro Manila. U.S. military engineers used newly-arrived heavy equipment, redirected from the Talon Vision/ Philippines Bilateral Exercise (PHIBLEX),nearly doubling their efforts to clear roads and waterways. As a result, several main roads have been opened and some areas that were still submerged after 10 days were drained after refuse and mud were removed. U.S. Marine Sea Stallion 46E helicopters delivered relief supplies collected by the ABS-CBN television network to isolated refugees in Talim Island, and U.S. military trucks delivered two truckloads of ABS-CBN relief goods to the Laguna area just south of Metro Manila. -------------- USAID ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶3. (SBU) USAID continues to support the efforts of the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC). Today, collapsible water containers, plastic sheeting and hygiene kits were distributed to 600 families in Laguna. Another 1,200 families at a Laguna school also received USAID relief goods. USAID educators provided counseling on hygiene and health to displaced persons during the MEDCAP at Ultra Stadium. USAID/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) advisors continue to work closely with Philippine government officials to improve coordination and ensure effective use of relief supplies. ¶4. (SBU) The Ambassador helped distribute USAID relief supplies today in Laguna, and attended the MEDCAP in Ultra Stadium. The Ambassador reissued a disaster declaration, reconfirming that the conditions calling for U.S. assistance are still in effect, which allows for a continued flow of funds in the new fiscal year. -------------- -------------- MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE U.S. CONTRIBUTION CONTINUES -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) Major media outlets continue positive coverage of USG efforts, with five major newspapers carrying photos this morning of the Marines' Sea Stallion helicopters surveying damage and ferrying relief over hard-hit Marikina City and other areas. Three major national newspapers quoted Department Spokesman Ian Kelley on ongoing USG assistance to the Philippines. The same newspapers also reported on the arrival of more US troops on October 4 from Okinawa to help with recovery operations. The October 5 broadcast of "Prime News" on ANC, a leading local cable news channel that is also broadcast widely in the U.S., continued its coverage of USG assistance to victims of the typhoon. The broadcast includde footage of the Philippine Armed Forces and U.S. troops working together to deliver relief supplies collected and donated by ANC's parent, the ABS-CBN network. The report also included parts of the "Mornings@ANC" interview broadcast live earlier the same day with MANILA 00002125 002 OF 002 Ambassador Kenney, a USAID officer, and American and Filipino military medical officers. -------------- Next Steps -------------- ¶7. (U) The Embassy interagency team will continue its efforts, in coordination with Philippine authorities, to relieve those affected by tropical storm Ondoy (international name Ketsana). Typhoon Pepeng (Parma),which passed through Northern Luzon last weekend, is stalled and drifting back towards the northeast coast of Luzon. It may move back onshore in the next few days, bringing heavy rains and winds. Kenney