DECLARATION OF DISASTER FOR FLOODING IN SAO NICOLAU, CAPE

UNCLAS PRAIA 000204

AIDAC

STATE ALSO PASS USAID/W
DAKAR FOR USAID/OFDA RDAVIS AND SSOBOL
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA LPOWERS
USAID/W FOR AFR/AA, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OFDA
STATE FOR AF
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH
USUN FOR OFDA REPRESENTATIVE
BRUSSELS FOR PBROWN
ROME FOR USAID/OHA HSPANOS
SECDEF FOR SOLIC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR J3/J4/J5
USAFRICOM
NSC FOR CPRATT

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SOCI EAID PREF CV
SUBJECT: DECLARATION OF DISASTER FOR FLOODING IN SAO NICOLAU, CAPE
VERDE


1. This is an action request. Please see paragraph 9.


2. SUMMARY: Torrential rains have fallen on the island of Sao
Nicolau, Cape Verde, during September and October 2009, causing
flooding that has killed at least three people, displaced at
least 41 families, and destroyed homes, personal property, and
basic infrastructure. The Chief of Mission has determined that
this disaster is beyond the capability of the host government to
respond, that it is of sufficient magnitude to warrant US
government assistance, and that it is in the best interest of
the US government to provide assistance. The Chief of Mission
is therefore exercising her disaster assistance authority to
request USD 25,000. END SUMMARY.


3. Over the last two months, three waves of heavy rain fell on
the mountainous and normally arid island of Sao Nicolau, one of
nine inhabited islands comprising the Republic of Cape Verde.
The rain was so intense at times that, according to an official
source, more than 40 inches of precipitation fell in less than
36 hours in the island's capital city, Ribeira Brava. Moreover,
the precipitation fell on steep, dry hillsides, causing flooding
and landslides.


4. Until recently, the government and local Red Cross had been
able to adequately respond by finding temporary housing and
providing some basic needs for those affected. On October 20,
however, another wave of rain arrived that crippled the host
nation's capacity to address the disaster effectively, and
prompted the state radio station to declare the situation
"catastrophic." On October 27, even more rain fell, further
aggravating relief efforts and damaging a main road that has
already been repaired twice since the rains began.


5. The heavy rains and floods have caused extensive suffering,
including loss of life. According to the Red Cross, at least
three people were killed when a landslide buried them alive.
The Red Cross also documented 41 families in the Ribeira Brava
area alone, comprising 154 people, that lost property to the
flooding, the large majority of which suffered serious damage to
their homes. Some houses collapsed entirely or in part, others
were inundated with water or mud, and still more suffered enough
structural damage to render them unfit to live in. Although
many families are living with friends or relatives, these
accommodations are just temporary solutions. Those unlucky
enough to be without friends or family nearby have been forced
either to stay in their homes despite the unsanitary and unsafe
conditions, or in the case of one 77-year-old man, to sleep in
the local jail. Moreover, many of those affected lack basic
items such as blankets, mattresses, cleaning supplies, and
cooking utensils, which were washed away or destroyed by the
rains. Press reports calculate the total cost of the damage as
exceeding USD 33 million.


6. The relatively poor economic situation of many affected
residents has compounded their suffering. The two dominant
industries in Sao Nicolau are farming and fishing, which are
next to impossible to do in bad weather. The average Cape
Verdean citizen is not wealthy-earning just $3,200 per year
according to the latest State Department Background Note-and
most of the economic activity in the country is located on other
islands. Further, at least 15 of the documented victims are
over 60 years old, the oldest of which is an 85-year-old woman,
and at least three have physical disabilities.


7. A Red Cross report also expresses concern over the medical
situation on the island. The report cites a lack of medical
supplies and personnel, and notes that additional cases of
diarrhea have appeared due to unsanitary conditions. In

addition, the incidence of both malaria and dengue fever is
increasing country-wide, including on Sao Nicolau, and the
continued rains are creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes.


8. Both the local government and the Red Cross welcome US
assistance. The Red Cross will use all US aid money to purchase
basic goods for victims such as sleeping mats/mattresses,
bedclothes, cooking pots, and cleaning supplies, the cost of
which is estimated to be USD 25,000. This will immediately
begin to alleviate the suffering of the residents of Sao Nicolau
affected by the flooding, so that the local government - already
overextended and in incapable of continuing to simultaneously
provide basic relief, rebuild roads, and reconstruct homes - may
focus on longer-term reconstruction.


9. ACTION REQUEST. The Ambassador believes that it is in the
best interest of the USG to alleviate the human suffering caused
by the disaster. Therefore, the Ambassador is exercising her
disaster assistance authority to request that OFDA release USD
25,000 for immediate relief efforts. This money will be
provided to the Red Cross for the purposes described in
paragraph 8. END ACTION REQUEST.
MYLES