MORAKOT DEATH TOLL REACHES 117 AS TAIWAN WELCOMES

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TAIPEI 000992 AIDAC SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE ALSO S/ES-O/CMS, EAP/TC AND CA/OCS, CMS, BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON AEMR CASC PGOV SENV XE TW SUBJECT: MORAKOT DEATH TOLL REACHES 117 AS TAIWAN WELCOMES INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE REF: A. TAIPEI 979 ¶B. TAIPEI 974 (SITREP NO. 3) ¶C. TAIPEI 966 (SITREP NO. 2) ¶D. TAIPEI 958 (SITREP NO. 1) ¶E. TAIPEI 967 ¶F. STATE 83578 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. The death toll from Typhoon Morakot has reached 117 individuals. The agricultural sector has lost an estimated USD300 million, and road repair costs are already topping USD420 million. Local areas see continued improvements in infrastructure and sanitation conditions as rescue and relief crews move into smaller towns and villages. The Executive Yuan announced that Taiwan welcomes foreign nations to provide material support to relief efforts. USAID Acting Regional Advisor Ron Libby arrives in Taiwan on August 14 for a four-day visit to Taipei and affected areas in the south. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) The death toll from Typhoon Morakot has climbed to 117, with 45 individuals reported injured, 59 known to be missing and hundreds more unaccounted for (mainly in remote mountain villages). The death toll is nearly double what official Taiwan sources reported 24 hours ago. A total of 2,2000 individuals have been found and rescued from the most severely affected villages in Kaohsiung County. In Xiaolin Village, where over 400 residents may have been buried under mudslides, 142 individuals have been rescued and temporary road access to the town has been established. Rescue teams are now walking into the village to search for more survivors and victims. ¶3. (SBU) Economic losses are also mounting, now estimated at over USD300 million for the agricultural sector alone. The Council of Agriculture estimates it will take at least six months to rehabilitate agricultural production to pre-typhoon levels. The largest agricultural losses occurred in Pingtung, Kaohsiung, and Tianan counties (combined total damage of USD190 million). Estimated road repair costs have already exceeded USD420 million, and final infrastructure costs are expected to be many times that amount. A contact at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) tells us that much of the repair work will be opened to tender, and MOTC therefore does not want to speculate on what the total cost of infrastructure repair could be. ¶4. (SBU) AIT/K reports that in Kaohsiung County there are nearly 16,000 military personnel involved in rescue and relief operations, as well as 37 medical doctors and 120 nurses. 7,000 hectares of farmland have been destroyed. In Taitung County, most telecommunications have been restored and helicopters are dropping food supplies to cut-off villages. In Pingtung County, dead livestock has been mostly cleared and operations now are focusing on mud removal from residential areas. The situation in Chiayi County is improving with the arrival of more military personnel and helicopters. Tainan County is also seeing an improving situation, with water levels in towns and villages receding and road and bridge repair work in full swing. ¶5. (SBU). The Executive Yuan announced that Taiwan welcomes foreign nations to provide material support to relief efforts, including large helicopters to carry earth moving equipment, chlorine tablets, disinfectant, and portable sterilization equipment. Japan and the EU have approached AIT, asking about the possibility of coordinating contributions. The EU has activated its community action mechanism, through which member states will try to meet the requirements identified in the international appeal Taiwan issued yesterday. However, none of the member states are considering meeting the helicopter request. ¶6. (SBU) AIT is expecting the arrival of Bangkok-based USAID Acting Regional Advisor Ron Libby for a four-day visit to Taipei and affected areas in the south. Mr. Libby is tentatively scheduled to meet in Taipei with Red Cross TAIPEI 00000992 002 OF 002 officials, MOTC and rescue and relief officials, and a representative from the EU. AIT/K is working on a schedule of meetings and opportunities to view affected areas for August 16-17. WANG