Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09SUVA16
2009-01-14 04:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Suva
Cable title:
Disaster Declaration for Flooding in Fiji - This is an
how-toO 140459Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY SUVA TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0953 AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON INFO USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK USEU BRUSSELS AMEMBASSY ROME SECDEF WASHINGTON DC JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS SUVA 000016
AIDAC
STATE FOR EAP
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA REGIONAL ALAN DWYER, KY LUU, CAROL CHAN,
BANGKOK ALSO FOR ANNE CONVERY
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER
ROME FOR UNFAO
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM FJ
SUBJECT: Disaster Declaration for Flooding in Fiji - This is an
Action Cable
Summary
UNCLAS SUVA 000016
AIDAC
STATE FOR EAP
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA REGIONAL ALAN DWYER, KY LUU, CAROL CHAN,
BANGKOK ALSO FOR ANNE CONVERY
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER
ROME FOR UNFAO
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM FJ
SUBJECT: Disaster Declaration for Flooding in Fiji - This is an
Action Cable
Summary
1. Excessive rainfall and tidal surges on Fiji's main island of
Viti Levu has caused the death of nine and displacement of an
estimated 9,000 residents. The Government of Fiji (GOF) has
declared a state of emergency and is enforcing a curfew to safeguard
lives and property. Early assessments from response organizations
indicate significant damage to infrastructure, agricultural
production and water supplies. The Chief of Mission concurs that an
adequate response is beyond the capacity of the Fijian Government
and, through this disaster declaration, requests USG assistance to
support the humanitarian response.
Background
2. Excessive seasonal rainfall compounded by tidal surges has
caused the worst flooding in Fiji in at least a decade. Hardest hit
is the western region of Viti Levu (Fiji's southern island) where
flood levels in excess of 10 feet closed all major roads and
airports. Weather predictions for the coming week include a
strengthening low-pressure system and additional rain that will
complicate an already precarious situation.
Current Situation
3. The GOF National Disaster Management Office reports nine dead
and approximately 9,000 displaced due to the flooding. The Fijian
Retailers Association reports damage to the commercial sector in the
millions of dollars and the submersion of most of the country's
important sugar cane crop. The displaced have evacuated to 114
shelters around the island and currently receive some food and
non-food support from first responders. Local officials anticipate
that continued rainfall expected this week will increase the number
of displaced. Government health authorities are preparing for
emerging typhoid and diphtheria cases due to deterioration of water
quality.
Response
4. The GOF is providing evacuation assistance to populations in
submerged areas. The Fiji Red Cross Society is distributing
primarily non-food items to the displaced. International donors,
including the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and China, have
contributed an estimated $300,000 to response efforts by the interim
government and non-governmental organizations.
Disaster Declaration
5. As Chief of Mission, I hereby declare that a flood disaster
exists in the western regions of Viti Levu caused by the
unseasonable rainfall and excessive ocean surges, and request that
USG international assistance funding be made available to assist the
affected populations. The Government of Fiji is not able to
adequately respond to the population's emergency needs but is
willing to accept international assistance, and it is in the
interest of the United States to provide help. Based on local
assessments, Embassy requests $50,000 in International Disaster
Assistance to support non-food and emergency water activities
through the Fiji Red Cross Society.
McGann
AIDAC
STATE FOR EAP
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA REGIONAL ALAN DWYER, KY LUU, CAROL CHAN,
BANGKOK ALSO FOR ANNE CONVERY
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER
ROME FOR UNFAO
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM FJ
SUBJECT: Disaster Declaration for Flooding in Fiji - This is an
Action Cable
Summary
1. Excessive rainfall and tidal surges on Fiji's main island of
Viti Levu has caused the death of nine and displacement of an
estimated 9,000 residents. The Government of Fiji (GOF) has
declared a state of emergency and is enforcing a curfew to safeguard
lives and property. Early assessments from response organizations
indicate significant damage to infrastructure, agricultural
production and water supplies. The Chief of Mission concurs that an
adequate response is beyond the capacity of the Fijian Government
and, through this disaster declaration, requests USG assistance to
support the humanitarian response.
Background
2. Excessive seasonal rainfall compounded by tidal surges has
caused the worst flooding in Fiji in at least a decade. Hardest hit
is the western region of Viti Levu (Fiji's southern island) where
flood levels in excess of 10 feet closed all major roads and
airports. Weather predictions for the coming week include a
strengthening low-pressure system and additional rain that will
complicate an already precarious situation.
Current Situation
3. The GOF National Disaster Management Office reports nine dead
and approximately 9,000 displaced due to the flooding. The Fijian
Retailers Association reports damage to the commercial sector in the
millions of dollars and the submersion of most of the country's
important sugar cane crop. The displaced have evacuated to 114
shelters around the island and currently receive some food and
non-food support from first responders. Local officials anticipate
that continued rainfall expected this week will increase the number
of displaced. Government health authorities are preparing for
emerging typhoid and diphtheria cases due to deterioration of water
quality.
Response
4. The GOF is providing evacuation assistance to populations in
submerged areas. The Fiji Red Cross Society is distributing
primarily non-food items to the displaced. International donors,
including the Governments of Australia, New Zealand, and China, have
contributed an estimated $300,000 to response efforts by the interim
government and non-governmental organizations.
Disaster Declaration
5. As Chief of Mission, I hereby declare that a flood disaster
exists in the western regions of Viti Levu caused by the
unseasonable rainfall and excessive ocean surges, and request that
USG international assistance funding be made available to assist the
affected populations. The Government of Fiji is not able to
adequately respond to the population's emergency needs but is
willing to accept international assistance, and it is in the
interest of the United States to provide help. Based on local
assessments, Embassy requests $50,000 in International Disaster
Assistance to support non-food and emergency water activities
through the Fiji Red Cross Society.
McGann