TFHA01: COLOMBIA TAKES LEADERSHIP ROLE IN HAITI RELIEF

UNCLAS BOGOTA 000256 SENSITIVE SIPDIS C O R R E C T E D COPY CAPTION 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 ECON PREL PGOV MARR KPAO AEMR CO HA SUBJECT: TFHA01: COLOMBIA TAKES LEADERSHIP ROLE IN HAITI RELIEF REF: A) BOGOTA 55; B) BOGOTA 198 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Colombia has responded comprehensively to the tragic earthquake in Haiti, providing personnel, donations, and much needed supplies. The Colombian military was averaging one to two flights to Haiti per day during the initial week of the crisis and is flying sustainment flights as needed, loaded with humanitarian relief and personnel. The Colombian Navy ship, "ARC Cartagena," arrived in Haiti on January 22, and a second ship, the "ARC Buenaventura," is expected to depart, loaded with supplies, on January 25. These efforts complement the GOC's mobile military hospital and deployment of search and rescue teams and police teams (ref A). The Colombian Red Cross has 50 personnel in Haiti running two stabilization and triage units, distributing supplies, and operating one emergency telecommunications team. MILGROUP continues to coordinate with the Colombian military on the logistics and delivery of supplies to Haiti. A U.S. military C-17 cargo plane is scheduled to stop in Colombia on January 27 to pick up and deliver Colombian-donated supplies for Haiti. A second U.S. plane, C-130, is expected to carry out a similar mission on or about January 30. This plane will also deliver USG donated firefighting equipment to one of the seven bases identified in the Defense Cooperation Agreement (DCA) en route to Haiti. The Ambassador is publicly highlighting U.S. assistance to Haiti and coordinated U.S.-Colombian relief efforts. End Summary. COLOMBIAN SHIP ARRIVED IN HAITI, SECOND TO SAIL THIS WEEK -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Colombian military was averaging one to two flights to Haiti per day during the initial week of the crisis and is flying sustainment flights as needed, loaded with humanitarian relief and personnel. Its Navy ship "ARC Cartagena de Indias" arrived in Haiti on January 22 with 228 tons of perishable supplies, 20 tons of hygiene items, 108 tons of bottled water, 110 tons of potable water, 1529 pounds of medicine, 85 coffins, and 1.2 tons of mattresses and other items. The "ARC Buenaventura" is planning to sail for Haiti on January 25. COLOMBIAN RED CROSS MOBILIZING AND SENDING DONATIONS, PERSONNEL -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) The Colombian Red Cross (CRC) has been extremely busy marshaling Haiti relief efforts. The CRC reported it has collected from private Colombian citizens more than 1,900 tons of food, bottled water, and non-food aid. An estimated 400 tons of this aid is already in Port-Au-Prince, and 1,000 tons will be sent over the next three days aboard two ships departing from Buenaventura and Cartagena. Additional aid will be delivered during the next several days. The CRC has collected 12 tons of medications, seven of which are already in Haiti and are being distributed to hospitals. ¶4. (U) In total, 50 Colombian Red Cross personnel are in Haiti supporting relief efforts. Two CRC stabilization and triage units with nine health experts are in Haiti providing emergency assistance. One Red Cross emergency telecommunications unit is operating in Port-Au-Prince. CRC personnel in Port-Au-Prince neighborhoods of Maitee and Cit???? de Soleil are distributing 20,000 liters of water per day. A CRC team is evaluating how to distribute additional aid to other communities. ¶5. (U) The CRC plans to distribute food aid to 20,000 families for two months, distribute non-food aid to 20,000 families for one month, provide 10,000 people with water for three months (15 liters per day),assist with re-establishing contact among families, and provide medical assistance and psychological support to 500 people for two months. The CRC expects to continue to provide technical assistance and counseling in shelters during the next three to 12 months during the recovery phase of relief efforts. COLOMBIANS DONATING SUPPLIES AND FUNDS FOR VICTIMS -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶6. (U) Colombia's large grocery stores, such as Olimpica, Carrefour, and Exito -- Colombia's largest retail chain -- have set up collection sites for donated Haiti relief supplies. The donation campaign is supported by national newspapers El Tiempo, El Colombiano, and El Pais. Colombians have donated approximately US$ 1.2 million to the Colombian Red Cross. MILGROUP COORDINATING WITH GOC TO USE BASES FOR HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- ¶7. (SBU) MILGROUP is facilitating the delivery and coordination of donated Colombian supplies to Haiti. Post intends to publicize a scheduled U.S. airlift that will fly from Colombia to Haiti. A C-17 cargo plane is expected to pick up and deliver up to 120,000 lbs of Colombian humanitarian relief supplies for delivery to Haiti. Additionally, on January 30, there is a C-130 cargo plane scheduled to deliver up to 50,000 lbs of relief supplies. On its way to Haiti, the C-130 cargo plane will include on its pay load a portion of the U.S.-donated fire-fighting equipment currently in Bogota (bought with USG emergency funds) to the Palanquero base, one of seven identified in the Defense Cooperation Agreement. The delivery would highlight U.S.-Colombian coordination in support of humanitarian efforts in Haiti and here in Colombia, as well as serve as an example of the type of military assistance permitted under the recently-signed DCA. ¶8. (U) The Ambassador has engaged the local media to highlight U.S. support for Haiti and coordinated U.S.-Colombian relief efforts following the tragic earthquake (ref B). BROWNFIELD