NEPAL: TWO NEPAL ARMY BATTALIONS ASSISTING IN

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 000046 SIPDIS DEPT FOR STACY WILLIAMS, MELISSA ROSSER, MAURA ONEILL, HAITI TF ONE. E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON HA KDEM MARR NP PGOV PHUM PREF PREL SUBJECT: NEPAL: TWO NEPAL ARMY BATTALIONS ASSISTING IN HAITI RESCUE EFFORTS REF: SECSTATE 004854 ¶1. (U) SCA PDAS Patrick Moon discussed the earthquake in Haiti with Chief of the Army Staff Gurung on January 19. General Gurung reported that NEPAL had two battalions serving in the UN Peace Keeping operation, MINUSTAH, in Haiti when the earthquake struck. One soldier was injured and two NEPAL Army vehicles were damaged. ¶2. (U) Since the earthquake, the NEPAL Army has provided significant assistance in the rescue and relief operations. The 1,079 army personnel in Haiti have established temporary medical and evacuation centers in their battalion locations. Doctors from the battalions are treating injured in the wreckage and in medical centers. Army troops are patroling and providing general law and order as the security situation deteriorates. Other troops have been mobilized for general relief assistance and to escort and distribute relief materials to victims. The NEPAL Army is also providing temporary shelter to some of the UN personnel who have been displaced. ¶3. (SBU) Other than its involvement in the UN Mission, NEPAL has not offered additional humanitarian support. Should the UN request additional troops for the Haiti mission, NEPAL would consider such a request but would require logistical support to transport troops and equipment. ORDWAY