COLOMBIA CONTINUES ROBUST RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 000105 SIPDIS 1TFK@STATE.GOV, WHA/CAR FOR V DE PIRRO AND IO/UNP FOR B NARANJO AND M GARUCKIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PGOV ECON PREL MARR KPAO CO HA SUBJECT: COLOMBIA CONTINUES ROBUST RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Colombian military and civilian sectors continue in high gear supporting relief efforts in Haiti. Colombia has flown 14 flights transporting 294 personnel, 21 dogs and 224,509 pounds of supplies to Haiti. Colombian medical personnel have performed more than 2,150 procedures near the earthquake zone. The Navy ship Cartagena continues to unload supplies in Haiti and the Buenaventura will set sail within the next few days with 400 tons of supplies. In addition to US$1.25 million raised by the Colombian Red Cross, more than 50 companies are conducting donation campaigns. End Summary. Colombia Air Relief -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Colombian military, police, the National System of Disaster Prevention and Assistance, and the Red Cross have teamed up together to send a total of 14 flights to date with 294 personnel including military, police, firefighters, doctors, nurses, and Red Cross. Colombian medical personnel in Haiti have performed 2,150 procedures to date. The flights have also included 21 dogs and 224,509 pounds of humanitarian relief supplies. ¶3. (SBU) A U.S. C-17 departed Bogota for Haiti on January 27 with 78,000 pounds of Colombian-donated humanitarian goods. Another C-17 may be available for a similar flight on February 1, and a C-130 will depart for Haiti on January 30. The C-130 flight will carry five pallets of supplies bound for Haiti and one pallet of USG-provided firefighting equipment to support GOC efforts to combat ongoing forest fires. This pallet will be delivered to the Palanquero DCA base on the way to Haiti. The Ambassador is planning a press event around that flight on January 30 with several high-level GOC officials to promote USG-Colombia cooperation on Haiti relief assistance as well as USG support to combat Colombian forest fires. Relief Supplies By Sea -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Colombian Navy ship "ARC Buenaventura" continues to be loaded with supplies and will set sail within the next few days. Its 400 ton cargo capacity includes 15,000 gallons of water donated by the aqueduct company Hidropacifico S.A. Colombian Navy logistics ship "ARC Cartagena de Indias," is still off-loading supplies in Haiti. These include: 41,000 lbs of perishable goods, 18,700 lbs of bottled water, and a total of 61,600 lbs of humanitarian goods. Widespread Private Sector Campaigns -------------- ¶5. (U) More than 50 Colombian companies have announced relief activities, from fundraising drives to offers to reconstruct a neighborhood in Haiti, much of which will be coordinated through the Red Cross. Food manufacturer Alpina and retailer Carrefour have committed to donate hundreds of metric tons of supplies. The bank BBVA Colombia will donate US$10,000, and Bridgestone's Colombian branches collected US$75,000 in donations. Employees of Harinera del Valle, Nacional de Chocolates, Bancolombia, and other companies donated a full day's salary to the cause. The Colombian staff of USAID contractor ARD collected US$7,000, purchased supplies in Santo Domingo, and delivered them to Haiti. ¶6. (U) Telecommunications company Telmex publicized a tollfree number for its customers to register a donation, which can be added to their monthly phone bill. Other telecom companies like EPM and BOGOTA 00000105 002 OF 002 UNE are donating services and supplies. ¶7. (U) Argos cement company, which has a plant in Haiti, sent 400 medical kits and supplies to its employees there. The company is lending its dock in Haiti for the unloading of international relief supplies. The Colombian firm offered its boats and docks in Cartagena to the Red Cross and private relief efforts. The Colombian Red Cross reports that within the next few days the company plans to send one of its boats carrying 860 tons of Red Cross supplies. The Colombian National System of Disaster Prevention and Assistance, the Colombian Navy, Argos, the Red Cross and Red Crescent will distribute these supplies in earthquake affected areas. Positive Media Coverage -------------- ¶8. (U) Post continues to closely follow the Colombian media coverage of the U.S. role in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. Reporting on U.S. disaster and humanitarian assistance continues to be very positive. The very few negative editorial comments have been insignificant and, in these cases, post has actively sought to clarify the intention of the authors and has promptly provided guidance and relevant, informative materials on USG assistance. BROWNFIELD