Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations Seeks to Expand

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 MOSCOW 001540 AIDAC STATE FOR USAID/E&E A/AA YAMASHITA, BREWER, ROBINSON AIDAC STATE FOR USAID/DCHA STATE FOR EUR/ACE, EUR/RUS, EUR/PGI, S/CRS, PRM/ECA DHS for FEMA External Affairs SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR AORC EAID PREL PGOV PHUM SOCI RS KG TI SUBJECT: Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations Seeks to Expand International Humanitarian Aid Operations, Cooperation with U.S. MOSCOW 00001540 001.2 OF 003 Sensitive But Unclassified. Not for Internet Distribution. -------------- SUMMARY -------------- 1.(SBU) Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM) seeks to expand cooperation with the United States in international disaster response, emergency management, and other areas such as food aid. At a May 20th conference on Humanitarian Aid and at the Annual Meeting of the U.S.-Russia Joint Committee on Cooperation in Emergency Management and Disaster Response in March, EMERCOM's Director for International Activities, Yuri Brazhnikov, stated his interest in engaging with the United States on best practices, joint training, and on improving coordination in third countries on disaster response and humanitarian activities. The Joint Committee Work Plan for 2009-2010 offers several opportunities in these areas and opens the door to work with EMERCOM to set priorities in the provision of humanitarian aid. EMERCOM may also serve as a bridge to address other bilateral issues given, for example, its significant role in humanitarian aid operations in the North Caucasus and interest in cooperation with the Iowa National Guard. Post seeks Department and USAID support in identifying appropriate opportunities for cooperation with EMERCOM. 2.(U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 9. End Summary. -------------- EMERCOM'S EXPANDING HUMANITARIAN OPERATIONS -------------- 3.(SBU) The Director of EMERCOM's Department of International Activities, Yuri Brazhnikov, invited USAID to present at a May 20th Conference in Moscow on the topic of USG humanitarian aid operations and U.S.-Russia cooperation under the U.S.-Russia Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Cooperation in Emergency Management and Disaster Response. A USAID representative outlined USAID's core capabilities and role in providing USG disaster relief and humanitarian aid, and also described the areas outlined in the joint Work Plan where the U.S. and Russia could expand cooperation. Brazhnikov noted that EMERCOM's international operations (combined humanitarian aid operations and disaster response) exceeded $100 million in 2008. EMERCOM had operations in Tajikistan, Armenia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Bangladesh, Somalia, Afghanistan, and other countries in 2008, as well as participating in the international response to the China earthquake. He also drew special attention to Russia's cooperation with the U.S. and efforts to exchange best practices. Over 350 participants attended the conference from EMERCOM, other Russian ministries, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),the World Food Program (WFP),and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. UNHCR noted that EMERCOM currently has an MOU with UNHCR for providing airlift and other transportation services, one of only approximately 15 countries to have such an agreement. The WFP stated that food aid from Russia is on the rise through an arrangement whereby Russia provides funding to WFP and in exchange WFP agrees to procure food commodities and transportation services from EMERCOM. 4.(SBU) EMERCOM also invited USAID to observe a May 22 large-scale field exercise involving 2500 EMERCOM staff at EMERCOM's 179 Rescue Center in Noginsk. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and EMERCOM conducted joint operations to address a devastating earthquake and hostage rescue, evacuating victims from the disaster using small aircraft. During the exercise, EMERCOM also simulated responses to a burning oil tank scenario and a fire in a road tunnel. The exercise was carried out by approximately 20 aircraft, including several Ilyushin-76, Be-200, MI-26 and other aircraft of EMERCOM Russia. The exercise showcased a hypothetical joint response with members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and included search and rescue and chemical management teams from China and Kazakhstan. While EMERCOM staff told USAID that the event was preceded by extensive preparations and practical joint exercises, May 22 had a strong public relations appearance, with over 100 media representatives present, along with EMERCOM Minister Sergey Shoigu, Presidential Administration Head Sergei Naryshkin, and Federal MOSCOW 00001540 002.2 OF 003 Security Service Director Alexander Bortnikov. 5.(SBU) EMERCOM's growing role in international operations dates to Decree 1010 of the Government of the Russian Federation of October 13, 1995, which established a National Structure for Emergency Humanitarian Response to coordinate the provision of bilateral emergency humanitarian assistance in foreign countries, and through the United Nations. This response structure includes an Operational Group appointed by EMERCOM's Minister and under the control of EMERCOM, EMERCOM's Aviation Division and Air-mobile Rescue Squad (TsentroSpas),and the Agency to Promote and Coordinate Russian Participation in International Humanitarian Operations (EMERCOM Agency) under the Ministry. EMERCOM also has several specialist divisions such as mine and unexploded ordnance detection. In November 2008, EMERCOM announced plans to seek certification from the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to bring its Air-Mobile Rescue Squad into compliance with international practices, enabling it to participate in field-level coordination among INSARAG certified teams. The qualification exercise is planned for 2011, and Russia actively sought U.S. assistance to prepare for the exercise during the March 2009 meeting of the U.S.-Russia Joint Committee (the U.S. is one of only a select number of countries to have Heavy INSARAG certified teams). -------------- U.S.-RUSSIA WORK PLAN FOR 2009-2010 -------------- 6.(SBU) Members of the U.S.-Russia Joint Committee on Cooperation in Emergency Management and Disaster Response met in New York March 24-25 to develop their Work Plan for 2009-2010. Annual meetings to set priorities and develop work plans are held in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 1996 and extended for an additional 10 years in 2007. Organized by FEMA, the meeting was also attended by EMERCOM, USAID/Russia, Iowa National Guard, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Opportunities for cooperation, joint training, exchanges, and improved coordination were discussed in the areas of disaster response (focusing on international deployments to third countries),emergency management, food and humanitarian aid operations, information exchange, and other exchanges between the U.S. and Russia. 7.(SBU) In a meeting with the USAID/Russia Mission Director on May 8 with EMERCOM International Activities department head Brazhnikov, USAID elaborated on specific elements (see next paragraph) of the 2009-2010 Work Plan. Brazhnikov expressed strong support for USAID proposals, especially the need to identify sites for potential third country joint observational exercises or projects. He also spoke at length about successful examples of U.S.-Russia coordination in responding to international disasters, such as the Pakistan earthquake and Southeast Asia tsunami, and the need for strengthening those linkages to facilitate cooperation during future disaster response efforts. 8.(SBU) USAID/Russia, in cooperation with DHS/FEMA and other members of the Joint-Committee, intends to undertake the following activities under the joint work plan: (A) In the area of Improved International Disaster Response Coordination, USAID/Russia will work with FEMA and other agencies to facilitate the exchange of technical experts between the U.S. and Russia to: (1) observe and discuss international disaster response policy and implementation mechanisms; (2) see best practices/mitigation efforts in practice (e.g. INSARAG certified teams); (3) view systems for coordinating global response; and (4) establish professional ties between international disaster response specialists from U.S. and Russian agencies. In addition, FEMA is working closely with EMERCOM and USAID to plan and execute a table-top exercise (TTX) focused on an international disaster response scenario in the summer of 2010. The TTX will compare and contrast U.S. and Russian experiences and approaches to handling large scale international disasters. These actions will help prepare Russia for its INSARAG qualification exercise, a critical step in Russia's efforts to improve its capacity to coordinate with other INSARAG certified teams and the United States when disasters occur. MOSCOW 00001540 003.2 OF 003 (B) In the area of Enhanced Capabilities and Field-level Coordination of International Food Aid Program Administration and Management, EMERCOM has suggested a joint seminar on food security and humanitarian aid to: (1) examine the underlying causes of food insecurity (Access, Availability, Utilization); (2) explore various delivery mechanisms, working with non-governmental organizations; and (3) discuss supplydQOEoQ*z}Qjects. EMERCOM is already making sizable humanitarian aid contributions to Afghanistan. Increased cooperation with the USG will help to improve the effectiveness of that assistance while introducing valuable development practices to the GOR, such as the use of non-governmental organizations to distribute humanitarian assistance. (C) In the area of Improved Information Exchange to Forecast Disasters and Coordinate Response, USAID/Russia suggested the establishment of informal protocols to facilitate information exchange on disaster forecasting systems, such as the Famine Early Warning System, and on disaster response efforts, generally. -------------- COMMENT: -------------- 9.(SBU) EMERCOM's increasing participation in international humanitarian missions, its civilian-military structure and functions, and the political longevity of its Minister make it a unique Russian government agency. EMERCOM's enthusiastic outreach to USG counterparts and its depoliticized, business-like approach to cooperation make it a potentially good partner for the U.S. in addressing shared challenges effectively in the region. Post requests S/CRS, EUR, and USAID Bureau for Democracy Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance support in identifying specific options for collaborating with the Government of Russia in the areas outlined above and welcomes other recommendations. BEYRLE