TFHA01: PHILIPPINES SENDS DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS, PERSONNEL

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 000132 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, HAITI TASK FORCE ONE BANGKOK FOR USAID /OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. DWYER USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER USAID W/ FOR ANE/AA AND DCHA/FPP USUN FOR OFDA REP BRUSSELS FOR P. BROWN SECDEF FOR SOLIC NSC FOR P. MARCHAM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL PGOV KPAO HA RP SUBJECT: TFHA01: PHILIPPINES SENDS DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS, PERSONNEL TO HAITI REFTELS: A) State 4854 B) State 4208 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. The Philippines offered monetary assistance and disaster relief expertise to earthquake-stricken Haiti this week, with President Arroyo and the Philippine National Red Cross each approving USD 50,000 for humanitarian assistance. A team of 21 government doctors, nurses and engineers will join the almost 200 United Nations Filipino peacekeepers already engaged in relief efforts there. The Philippine press has covered the disaster accurately and extensively, and the Ambassador is using her farewell calls on media and senior public figures to discuss international humanitarian efforts in Haiti. End Summary. -------------- Philippines Sends Funds and Expertise -------------- ¶2. (U) Tapping a deep well of empathy for victims of natural disasters while demonstrating solidarity with international relief efforts, the Philippines this week offered civilian expertise and monetary assistance to help Haiti cope with the aftermath of the January 12 earthquake. A team of 21 Department of Health (DoH) doctors, nurses, and engineers known as the 'Philippine Humanitarian Team for Haiti' will begin departing January 25 for Port au Prince. Post issued expedited transit visas to these team members, for whom Philippine Airlines is providing complimentary air travel. Air express firm DHL is providing free shipping for 120 boxes of the team's supplies and equipment. The DoH's Dr. Carmencita Banatin told us the government is coordinating specific aspects of the team's mission with the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Health Organization. President Arroyo this week approved the release of $50,000 to support Haiti relief efforts, while Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) Chairman and presidential candidate Senator Richard Gordon announced that the organization would donate $50,000 for rescue operations. Senator Gordon told us the PNRC has yet to decide whether to donate the funds to the U.S. Red Cross, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, or the Haiti Red Cross. 
 -------------- President Conveys Empathy and Gratitude -------------- ¶3. (U) President Arroyo on January 20 hosted a gathering of the diplomatic corps at Malacanang Palace to welcome the new year. At the start of her formal remarks, Arroyo said her thoughts and prayers were with the Haitian people as they worked to recover from the devastating earthquake, and she hoped the countries of the world would all work together to help Haiti heal. She said Filipinos knew how the Haitians felt because of the storms of late 2009, after which the international community came together to help Filipinos in a time of need. She asked that the diplomatic representatives present convey to their governments and international organizations that Filipinos were deeply grateful for the civilian and military assistance that helped the Philippines get back on its feet. She hoped that our combined efforts in Haiti would have the same effect there. In a private aside following Arroyo's remarks, the Ambassador expressed appreciation for Philippine contributions to Haiti. The President thanked the Ambassador "for what America is doing in Haiti" and said Filipinos "are proud to play our small part." ¶4. (U) Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Assistant Secretary for American Affairs Lourdes Yparraguirre told the Deputy Chief of Mission on January 20 that the Humanitarian Team (referenced above) would transit San Francisco and Santo Domingo and then convoy into Haiti under UN auspices. The Philippine Ambassador to Cuba, who also covers Haiti, is already in Santo Domingo. The Haitian and Dominican honorary consuls in Manila have provided visas to both the Philippine and an Indonesian relief team. Yparraguirre noted that, in addition to the GRP and Philippine Red Cross donations, many churches were doing "second collections" for Haiti. The DCM MANILA 00000132 002 OF 002 discussed USG military relief efforts in the Philippines following the 2009 storms and emphasized the benefits to all concerned if the Philippines were to make a public statement about the value of such efforts. Yparraguirre agreed with the point but did not commit to a public statement. -------------- - Philippine Peacekeepers Already on the Ground -------------- - ¶5. (U) The Philippines has a significant force serving with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Made up of 155 military, 15 police, and 2 military observers, they serve in the 10th Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent, which is assigned to the UN's Force Headquarters Security Unit in Port-au-Prince. More than 1,500 Philippine troops have served in Haiti since first being deployed in 2005. On January 3, Ambassador Hedi Annabi, the head of MINUSTAH (who died in the earthquake),presented the Philippine troops with the United Nations Peacekeeping Medal. Annabi made special mention of six humanitarian projects the troops had undertaken outside of their normal responsibilities. ¶6. (U) The Philippines is now mourning four of its nationals killed in the earthquake while serving in MINUSTAH. Eustacio Bermudes Jr., Pearlie Panangui, and Janice Arocena were uniformed members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP),while Jerome Yap was a civilian working for the peacekeeping mission. Meanwhile, the AFP is preparing to respond to the UN's call for additional peacekeepers to deploy to Haiti. AFP Spokesman Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner told Pol-Mil Chief that, in anticipation of a final decision by the UN and Philippine Government to send the troops, the 11th Philippine Peacekeeping Contingent is engaged in typical preparations involving equipment, medical checks, and other administrative arrangements. -------------- -------------- Accurate and Extensive Haiti Coverage by Local Media -------------- -------------- ¶7. (U) The Philippine press has accurately and extensively covered the disaster in Haiti, with no unfavorable mention of America's role and intentions there. As of January 20, local newspapers continued to print large above-the-fold photographs of conditions in Port-au-Prince. While the media has reported on conditions facing the Haitian population, it also has focused on the fate of Filipinos in Haiti, including the deaths noted above and efforts to account for all Philippine citizens (three of whom remain missing). Media commentators have written frequently since the Haitian earthquake that the Philippines is earthquake-prone, and they have speculated about their own country's preparedness for a similar disaster. The Ambassador is using her farewell calls on media and senior public figures, including the major daily Philippine Star and President Arroyo, to discuss international humanitarian efforts in Haiti, and the strong coalition of international partners working with the USG to help people in need. Kenney