LIBERIA: DISASTER DECLARATION ON MOTH AND CATERPILLAR

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000093 DAKAR FOR OFDA/WARO DAVIS ACCRA FOR USAID/WARP GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH CONAKRY FOR POL AND USAID FREETOWN FOR POL AND USAID NAIROBI FOR OFDA/EARO EUCOM FOR POLA/J3/J4/J5 BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER USUN FOR TMALY DEPT FOR PRM, AF/W, IO NSC FOR TSHORTLEY USAID FOR USAID/A, AFR/AA, AFR/WA, AFR/SD, MAHARVEY USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA GGOTTLIEB, CPRATT, CPRATT, ACONVERY, AFERRARA, MBRENNAN, MLUTZ USAID FOR DCHA/AA, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OTI, DCHA/CMM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREL WFP PHUM LI SUBJECT: LIBERIA: DISASTER DECLARATION ON MOTH AND CATERPILLAR INFESTATION IN LIBERIA REF: MONROVIA 81 ¶1. This is an action request. Please See para 14. ¶2. Summary: This is a disaster declaration cable to request assistance from OFDA for immediate humanitarian relief related to the impact on water supply, sanitation, health and livelihoods related to widespread infestation of crops by caterpillar moths (presumed to be African army worm) in Liberia. Reports confirm infestation of the caterpillar worm (CW) in Lofa and Gbarpolu counties, but initial details suggest a much smaller infestation that did not result in reports of major impact, nor has there been a notable response to date. However, one cannot foresee the movements of CWs. Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) has been in constant communication with OFDA/WA office. This cable and Ambassador's disaster declaration conform to consensus view on an appropriate emergency responses. An update on the infestation and response to date is provided below, and a description of the proposed use of $50,000 in immediate humanitarian relief is provided. This action cable requests OFDA assistance be provided in the amount of $50,000. End summary. ¶3. O/a January 14, the first reports from Bong County reached Monrovia concerning "army worms" or caterpillar worms (CW) had infested and deposited larvae over crops, trees, shrubs and some households, severely affecting at least five districts in central and northern Liberia. The MOA, in collaboration with the UN FAO, dispatched a team of experts January 21 to hand spray affected areas in an effort at containment. As the GOL and NGOs struggle to fight the infestation and contain the spread, the MOA enlisted FAO assistance in trying to have a specimen examined in Ghana to determine the genus and species of the pest. No results yet have been reported. ¶4. Since the reported infestation, GOL authorities have held a series of daily emergency meetings, attended by UN agencies (FAO, UNICEF, UNMIL, UNDP, WHO, etc.),bilateral donors, NGOs to provide updates on the response. Local media began reporting on the infestation and related damage, which include infested food stocks and cash crops (kola, cocoa, banana, orange),contaminated water supply, reluctance of villagers to brave massive caterpillar infestations to attend to their fields, and reports of at least some residents (only thirteen or so houses confirmed) leaving their houses, at least temporary. ¶5. Primary sources of information on the infestation and its impact include the MOA daily meetings, the site visit undertaken by the MDRO and USAID Ag and Economic Growth team Jan 26-27, and communication with NGOs and the County coordinators for agriculture (at CARI in Gbarnga) and water and sanitation (Phebe Hospital) located in Gbarnga. Presentations at the HAC (Humanitarian Action Committee) bi-weekly meeting held today at UNDP offices provided a timely update from over 25 cooperating agencies. ¶6. By far, Bong County is the most affected. Some 86 towns/villages in four counties affecting 100-200,000 people are in areas of CW infestation. Lofa and Gbarpolu reported minor areas infested, and most of the areas are now reported clear. Neighboring Guinea also reported infestations, and concerns have been raised over the possibility of a wider infestation with major long-term effects on water and food supplies and agricultural livelihoods. Attempts by Liberian authorities to contact and collaborate with Guinean authorities were not successful and flatly turned down. The major characteristics of the CW invasion can be summarized as follows: a) Swarms of moths arrive and infest the leaves and branches of Dahome (preferred) or other tree/bush; the moths are usually a neutral color and often go unrecognized; they then lay their eggs (larvae) at higher levels of the canopy, which descend by web-like threads and end up as hungry caterpillars devouring leafs and greens. b) After several days of voracious eating, the caterpillars become pupae and rest on the ground or in low-lying plants. They mature and become moths, flying away to a new area (some research suggest that it can be hundreds of kilometers away) and start over. The entire cycle lasts about two weeks. c) Some infestations of caterpillars (coming down from the trees or bushes) are so dense that they completely cover huts and obscure foot paths; in these heavily infested areas, villagers are reluctant to travel to their fields (which need brushing at this time of year),or to walk into the bush to defecate, creating a sanitary hazard; the caterpillar droppings (feces) are contaminating ground water and forcing villagers to rely on ground water supplies, e.g., covered boreholes and handpumps. These deep water sources are not affected by the CW invasion, but many of them (24/44) in one recent survey from Zota district) are not functioning. d) The after-effects are the leafless vegetation, primarily Dahome trees, but also kola, cocoa, banana, and orange trees; black patches of CW feces covering ground and open water areas, and the few unlucky huts covered with empty pupae. The pests have destroyed some cash crops, but had little to very little effect on existing food sources. e) Long-term effects are unknown. However, increased food insecurity and major losses to future crops are a concern. Also, the heavy contamination of ground water by larvae feces and from spraying would also be of concern. The major issue is will this wave of pests be followed, at some unknown time, by an even larger and more massive infestation with potentially major impact on agriculture production and food supply of the population. ¶7. Action Response. ECOWAS, the UN agencies, including UNMIL, FAO, UNICEF, WHO and others are contributing resources and expert assistance to the county teams (agriculture, health covering water and sanitation) and several NGOs have teams active in affected districts. In consultation with these partners, and especially the MOA and MOHSW, a request for OFDA assistance for immediate humanitarian relief and assistance with a long-term, capacity building plan are moving forward. ¶8. The U.S. Mission MDRO and agricultural/economic team of USAID are in constant touch with GOL officers and donors to monitor developments and track responses. So far, the major response has been limited to providing 50 hand pumps and parts (UNICEF) to repair and maintain deep groundwater supplies where possible, efforts to identify the pest and undertake spraying and protective measures (FAO and Ministry of Agriculture) and reconnaissance visits to the areas by NGOs and GOL officials from various ministries. It should be noted that while some 50 hand pumps or spare pump parts were provided, funds for transport (fuel) and food or daily rates for work teams to undertake repair efforts are lacking. Spray teams are in the area, currently 5 teams composed of 5 people with a proposal from the Ministry of Agriculture to field 8 teams if sprayers and protective equipment can be mobilized. The Mission DRO and USAID agricultural and Economic Growth team visited the coordinating centers in Gbarnga and several affected sites between January 26 and 27, 2009. ¶9. Following a Minister of Agriculture statement and request for international partner and donor assistance on January 20, President Sirleaf Johnson declared a "national disaster" on January 26, 2009. Reports vary but the infestation has affected some 82 (or up to 103 by some accounts) communities in three counties (Bong, Lofa and Gbarpolu) since it began. ¶10. Pursuant to section 062, volume 2 of the Foreign Affairs Manual and USAID ADS 251, the Ambassador has determined that a disaster exists in Liberia and certifies that the following conditions exist: between January 9 and today an infestation of caterpillar worms have affected at least 83 communities/towns affecting more than 100,000 people and have deleterious affected water supply, threatens food security, and a) The proposed relief is focused on providing relief to affected communities and families that lack access to potable water, improving the government-led ability to track and respond to infestations. The proposed USG relief would be through two grants, one to CRS and the other to JSI Research and Training Institute. b) According to the national disaster declaration by the President, appeals from the Minister of Agriculture, and reports submitted to the Humanitarian Action Committee by informants, the disaster is of a magnitude beyond government's capacity to respond. The Ministry of Health and social welfare has provided 10 environmental officers from Monrovia and $250,000 of its own funds for the field operations, ECOWAS, UNICEF and others are assisting relief in some communities on water and sanitation. However, the GOL has not effectively responded to the plight of the roughly 15 communities with 15 to 25,000 persons lacking water or other necessities (shelter, seeds for planting, etc.). c) Financial assistance is desired by the GOL and supported by the HAC (Humanitarian Assistance Committee - led by the UN) and by GOL officials (Agriculture, Public Works, Health) to assist the victims with operational funds for the field teams to investigate reported infestations, educate the communities on how to respond, identification of needs and gaps, and to ensure people remain calm and informed. Mostly non-food items are to be purchased: fuel for operating teams, chlorine, jerry cans and, cement, bricks, and pump parts, mosquito nets (useful to keep out pests and prevent malaria), spray protective gear (including knapsack or motorized sprayers, gloves, masks, coveralls, boots, soap, etc.),and finally, motorcycles for the tracking and assessment teams. The Government welcomes donor assistance in control of and relief from the impact of the pest infestation. ¶11. Analysis of assistance from external and internal sources reveals that: a) UNICEF has provided some pump parts and funding for borehole renovation, chlorine and jerry cans that will cover 1-2 districts; b) MOHSW is supporting teams to promote sanitation and conduct hygiene education, and the ECOWAS, Ministry of Agriculture are supporting the spray teams and efforts to identify the pest and devise strategies for control. ¶12. Gaps remaining include: spray gear and protective equipment, support for tracking and mapping the movement of the pest and affect of various interventions (burning, spraying, etc.),and water and sanitation. ¶13. Providing such assistance is in the interest of the U.S. Government because of humanitarian concerns and the importance of demonstrating that Liberia's closest friends stand ready to help. There is extremely limited GOL capacity to respond to any immediate disaster as the police force remains largely a force in training, GOL funds are minimal and slow to disburse, and the JFK and other GOL hospitals rely largely on donor and NGO support for drugs, as well as salary payments and incentives. The Liberian government representatives have indicated that they would like to mobilize resources to temporarily relocate the victims while working on a long term relocation of the communities involved. ¶14. In light of these conditions, the U.S. Ambassador declares that the infestation of CWs in Liberia constitutes a disaster and requests 50,000 USD from USAID/OFDA. USAID/Liberia anticipates issuing two grants: one to Catholic Relief services, and one to JSI Research and Training Institute to implement an emergency response. THOMAS-GREENFIELD