U.S. MILITARY RELIEF EFFORT ENDS AS FLOODS RECEDE IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002155 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. MILITARY RELIEF EFFORT ENDS AS FLOODS RECEDE IN CENTRAL LUZON REFTELS: A) Manila 2149 B) Manila 2140 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Typhoon Pepeng (international name Parma) has claimed over 300 lives and forced more than 80,000 into evacuation centers across Luzon island, according to the Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council. The U.S. military repeated its highly successful Typhoon Ondoy rescue and relief operation in flood-ravaged central Luzon. U.S. military relief efforts then ended October 13, as floodwaters begin to recede and Philippine government agencies assumed remaining relief and reconstruction responsibilities. USAID, in conjunction with other international relief agencies, continues to provide food, water, and hygiene supplies to hundreds of thousands of disaster victims. Local as well as U.S media coverage of the disaster and relief efforts was extensive. End Summary. -------------- Flood Waters Receding Under Sunny Skies -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Floods and landslides from Typhoon Pepeng (international name Parma) have claimed over 300 lives and forced more than 80,000 into evacuation centers in central and northern Luzon according to the Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). While the rains have stopped and floodwaters have receded in many areas, some towns and villages remain under water. Also, landslides have closed the road links to the city of Baguio, and it remains inaccessible to large relief vehicles. -------------- U.S. Military to the Rescue, Again -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The U.S. military repeated its highly successful Typhoon Ondoy rescue and relief operation in flood-ravaged central Luzon, rescuing survivors, providing medical care, and ferrying desperately needed relief supplies to hard-to-reach areas (reftel B). Working together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),31st Marine Expeditionary Unit personnel saw to the medical needs of over 1,500 flood victims. C-130 transport aircraft delivered over 5,000 packs of relief items, along with large amounts of clothing, and thousands of blankets, sleeping pads and water jugs to Tuguegarao city in northern Luzon. Another C-130 flight transported 29,000 pounds of relief goods to the remote Batanes islands, bringing back four individuals in need of medical care on the return flight. U.S. Marine helicopters airlifted over 3,000 sacks of relief supplies to isolated Baguio City, while Marine Civil Engineering units cleared roads in stricken areas. As of Monday October 13 post concurs with the recommendation that relief and recovery efforts revert fully to the AFP. -------------- USAID Assistance Continues -------------- ¶4. (SBU) USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) has committed nearly $4 million in emergency assistance to humanitarian organizations working to provide support in the wake of Ondoy and Pepeng. Thus far, OFDA has provided grants to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC),the American Red Cross, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM),with additional grants to be awarded this week. ¶5. (SBU) In addition, USAID/OFDA is making available non-food items shipped from its warehouses in Dubai. The first shipment, which arrived on October 2, went to the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC),and was valued at $400,000, which included water containers, hygiene kits and tarpaulins. A second shipment arrived October 13. It is valued at $250,000, and includes 20,000 water containers, 20,000 hygiene kits and 50,000 bars of soap. IOM will immediately MANILA 00002155 002 OF 002 distribute these items to approximately 20,000 affected families (approximately 100,000 people). Through USAID's Food for Peace Program, 720 metric tons of vegetable oil worth $1.2 million will be shipped this week for the World Food Program to distribute. This oil, sufficient to meet the cooking needs of some 330,000 people for one month, brings the total value of USAID's emergency relief contributions to nearly $6 million. ¶6. (SBU) The on-site OFDA military liaison was able to accompany the U.S. military in conducting assessments of the damage caused by Typhoon Pepeng in northern and central Luzon over the weekend. Relief organizations are reporting an increasing need for water, sanitation supplies and non-food items due to increasing reports of flood-borne illnesses. Sir John Holmes, the United Nations Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs/Emergency Relief Coordinator, is visiting the Philippines and will be meeting with Philippine government officials and the donor community on October 13 to review the current situation, on-going needs and any remaining gaps in assistance. -------------- - Consular Section Support for American Citizens -------------- - ¶7. (SBU) There are no suspected or confirmed American citizens among the casualty lists provided by the NDCC. The Consular section has received welfare and whereabouts inquiries for 16 individuals as a result of Typhoon Pepeng/Parma. Philippine officials in the disaster-affected provinces have been extremely cooperative, going the extra mile to locate and confirm the safety of Americans in their areas. -------------- -------------- Local and International Coverage of U.S. Assistance -------------- -------------- ¶8. (U) Both Philippine and U.S. media provided steady coverage of the U.S. military and non-military relief efforts in central Luzon. Virtually all major daily newspapers covered the additional $2 million in USAID/OFDA emergency humanitarian assistance that the Embassy announced on October 9. From October 10 through today, major national dailies and television networks reported U.S. military helicopters delivering relief supplies. U.S. papers, including the LA Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the New York Times, also carried stories describing the central Luzon flooding and U.S. relief efforts. -------------- Next Steps -------------- ¶9. (SBU) As U.S. military units either redeploy to home bases or prepare to participate in delayed and truncated Talon Vision/ Philippines Bilateral Exercises, they leave behind solid humanitarian accomplishments and much good will. Post is extremely grateful for their incredible assistance to the GRP. USAID continues to carry on relief efforts in conjunction with other international relief agencies. Bassett