VZCZCXRO1523
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2112/01 2780922
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 050922Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5367
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHOVQHS/COMSEVENTHFLT IMMEDIATE
INFO RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2295
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0319
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002112
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
BANGKOK FOR USAID /OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. DWYER
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER
USAID W/ FOR ANE/AA AND DCHA/FPP
GENEVA FOR N. KYLOH
USUN FOR OFDA REP
BRUSSELS FOR P. BROWN
ROME FOR USAID/OHA H. SPANOS
SECDEF FOR SOLIC
JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR J3/J4/J5
PACOM FOR J3/J4/J5
NSC FOR P. MARCHAM
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL KPAO SENV EAGR RP
SUBJECT: U.S. AIDS PHILIPPINES IN TIME OF TYPHOON NEED
REFTELS: A) 2098 B) Manila 2089 C) Manila 2070 D) Manila 2056 E)
Manila 2049 F) Manila 2046
1. (SBU) Tropical Storm Ondoy (international name Ketsana) dumped
16 inches of rain in 12 hours on Manila and the island of Luzon on
September 26, killing 288 and displacing 700,000. One week later,
Typhoon Pepeng (international name Parma) hit northern Luzon with 90
mile per hour winds, leaving 14 dead and 170,000 homeless. The
storms impacted over four million Filipinos and caused over $200
million in damage. Embassy Manila received inquiries as to the
whereabouts of 105 American citizens in flood-affected areas, has
accounted for 76 of these, and continues to engage local officials
regarding the remaining 29.
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U.S. Response Swift, Decisive
-----------------------------
2. (SBU) On September 28 the Ambassador exercised her disaster
relief authority and requested $100,000 from the USAID Office of
Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), and the U.S. Joint Special
Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOT-F) was redeployed to Manila
for rescue and relief operations. On September 29, post proposed
that U.S. forces scheduled to be in the Philippines for the Talon
Vision/ Philippines Bilateral Exercise (PHILBEX) exercise be
redirected to disaster relief. The first of these forces arrived
two days later and continue to provide assistance. Also on
September 29, post requested additional Department of Defense and
USAID OFDA funds.
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Embassy Manila Back on Line
---------------------------
3. (SBU) Management staff have fully restored Embassy power and
communications and all offices are functioning normally. Post is
working to secure funding from the Foreign Service National (FSN)
Relief Fund for the approximately 200 locally employed Embassy staff
who have requested assistance. (Note: Many major Manila employers,
including, for example the Asian Development Bank, have provided
assistance to employees affected by the flooding. End Note.)
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U.S.A.I.D.
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3. (SBU) The initial $100,000 USAID Office of Foreign Disaster
Assistance funds provided to the Philippine National Red Cross
(PNRC)on September 29 was used to purchase food and non food items
(cooking sets and hygiene kits) that were distributed to over 1,300
families in Quezon City, Tanay, Marikina and other hard-hit areas.
Additional OFDA non-food relief items (water containers, hygiene
kits and plastic sheeting valued at $390,000) arrived on Friday,
October 2. The PNRC is distributing these materials in coordination
with the U.S. and Philippine military units to approximately 4,000
families in Pasig City and Laguna province.
4. (SBU) The OFDA will allocate an additional $1,000,000 in
emergency aid to the Philippines for a total cash contribution of
$1,800,000. A $500,000 three month grant will be awarded to the
World Food Program from the latter sum to improve relief-supply
logistics. USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors continue to assess
conditions on the ground, formulate the subsequent USG response and
coordinate between the Government of the Philippines, NGOs, United
Nations agencies, and the U.S. military. USAID bilateral health
programs are providing health education teams to augment the U.S.
military medical mission.
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U.S. Military Assistance
------------------------
MANILA 00002112 002 OF 002
4. (SBU) In coordination with Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
and the Philippine NDDC personnel, the U.S. military has provided
rescue and relief assistance since the early stages of the disaster.
The U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines (JSOT-F)
mobilized a helicopter and four rubber boats in initial rescue
efforts, saving more than 50 people stranded by high flood waters
and distributing over 300 food packs.
5. (SBU) Since October 1, members of the Third Marine Expeditionary
Force (III MEF) have deployed earthmoving equipment, five seven-ton
trucks and five cargo Humvees to deliver more than 7,000 family food
packs, treat approximately 1500 patients, and distributed 37
goodwill boxes with shoes and clothing. III MEF troops are also
removing debris, evaluating flood damage and conducting site surveys
for future medical operations.
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Next Steps
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6. (SBU) Arrival of additional equipment and personnel from the 31st
Marine Expeditionary Unit on October 5 will double the scale of the
U.S. military relief effort. Area of relief operations will be
expanded outside Metro Manila to encompass aerial delivery of relief
supplies to Talim Island. On October 6, III MEF medical personnel
will provide medical treatment to 1,600 flood victims at a "super
MEDCAP". Ambassador spoke separately today with Philippine Foreign
Secretary Romulo, Defense Secretary Teodoro and Armed Forces chief
Ibrado. All were very pleased with the U.S. response and felt we
were filling important gaps in their relief efforts.
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Weather Prognosis
-----------------
7. (U) According to current projections, Typhoon Pepeng
(international name Parma) will linger off the coast of Luzon for
five days or more. Meteorologists caution that Typhoon Pepeng may
interact with the incipient typhoon Melor and 'loop back' into the
region, possibly again impacting Metro Manila and other parts of
Luzon island with heavy rains.
Kenney