U.S. TYPHOON AID "FIRST, FAST, EFFECTIVE" SAYS PHILIPPINE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002136 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. TYPHOON AID "FIRST, FAST, EFFECTIVE" SAYS PHILIPPINE FOREIGN SECRETARY REFTELS: A) Manila 2131 B) Manila 2125 C) Manila 2112 D) Manila 2098 E) Manila 2089 F) Manila 2070 G) Manila 2056 H) Manila 2049 I) Manila 2046 -------------- -- Secretary's Personal Diplomacy Much Appreciated -------------- -- ¶1. (SBU) At an October 7 meeting, Philippine Foreign Secretary Alberto Romulo thanked the Ambassador for U.S. aid for Typhoon Ondoy/Ketsana victims that was "first, fast, and got immediate relief to those that need it most." He also expressed his pleasure at having received a personal phone call from Secretary Clinton regarding disaster relief "when others only sent letters." The Foreign Secretary concurred with the Ambassador's assessment that U.S military assistance could scale back later this week and responsibility transfer to Philippine agencies as immediate relief needs were met and rebuilding and recovery efforts begin. -------------- Manila Slowly Normalizes -------------- ¶2. The number of displaced individuals continues to decline, with 335,000 persons currently housed in 559 evacuation centers, down from an October 1 high of almost 700,000, according to the Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). Almost 1,100,000 flood victims have received some disaster assistance, according to the NDCC. Classes at most public schools resumed October 5, although many schools in the hardest-hit Pasig City, Marikina, and nearby Rizal province locales remained closed for lack of pupils, teachers, and fully-functioning-facilities. Metro Manila authorities have restored the water supply to most districts, and begun repairs of telecommunications and other infrastructure. Uncollected garbage and flood debris continues to block secondary streets in the hardest-hit metropolitan areas. -------------- U.S. Military Assistance -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Coordination between the U.S. military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. and local relief agencies, and Embassy Manila country team is strong and continues to improve, further enhancing relief efforts. In the last 12 hours, United States Third Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF) personnel delivered over 46,000 food packs, 600 bags of clothing and 300 cases of water to flood victims. A Medical Community Action Program (MEDCAP) run by the III MEF has treated a total of almost 4,000 patients in various Metro Manila locations. U.S. military engineers continue to use heavy equipment redirected from the Talon Vision/ Philippines Bilateral Exercise (PHIBLEX) to clear roads of flood debris and drain remaining flooded areas. U.S. Marine Sea Stallion 46E helicopters have delivered over 15,000 pounds of relief supplies to victims isolated on Talim Island, and also evacuated a critically ill child and his family from the island. -------------- USAID ASSISTANCE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Working in conjunction with U.S. and Philippine military personnel, USAID health educators and doctors are counseling displaced persons at the Rosario Sports Complex in Pasig City and other evacuation centers on hygiene and health issues. They have shared information with more than 4,000 people on food safety, diarrhea, cough etiquette, hand washing, and breastfeeding, with particular emphasis on correct behaviors during disaster conditions. USAID has also coordinated with Saint Scholastica College teachers MANILA 00002136 002 OF 002 and guidance counselors to provide psychosocial services to the evacuees, including trauma and stress counseling. ¶5. (SBU) The USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has awarded $500,000 to the World Food Program (WFP) for positioning of emergency and operations support equipment. OFDA has agreed to also support International Organization for Migration (IOM) efforts to track displaced persons living in evacuation centers and elsewhere, so they can reconnect with friends and family. USAID staff will work with the World Food Program, the NDCC and the U.S. military, as the latter uses aerial reconnaissance to identify any large groups of flood victims who may have not received required assistance. -------------- -------------- MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE U.S. CONTRIBUTION CONTINUES -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) All major newspapers prominently featured photos of the Ambassador handing relief supplies to flood victims, as well as of U.S. Marine helicopter operations. Business World, the country's premier business daily, exhibited a photo of U.S. marine operating heavy equipment during a clean-up project in Metro Manila, and several dailies noted that the U.S. troops providing disaster relief had been redirected from PHIBLEX exercises. The ABS-CBN television network reported extensively on the Medical Community Action Program run by the U.S. III MEF in the Ultra Sports Stadium in Pasig City, while the NBN network covered the U.S. military's aerial relief missions to Talim island. -------------- Next Steps -------------- ¶7. (U) In coordination with Philippine authorities and international relief organizations, the Embassy interagency team will continue its efforts to provide aid to those affected by tropical storm Ondoy/Kestsana. Typhoon Pepeng/Parma is predicted to leave the Philippines by October 9, after drifting southwest over central Luzon. Kenney