Cablegate: Assisting Typhoon Reming Victims

VZCZCXRO7560
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #4916 3401015
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061015Z DEC 06
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4188
INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 004916

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS
STATE PASS USAID
STATE PASS USDA/FAS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID EAGR CASC SOCI RP
SUBJECT: ASSISTING TYPHOON REMING VICTIMS

REF: MANILA 4877

1. Summary: Over 1300 people are dead or missing due to the
volcanic debris and mudslides caused by Typhoon Reming. In response
to this tragedy, the Ambassador exercised her disaster assistance
authority, enabling USAID to provide some $400,000 in assistance to
relief organizations. Airlifted goods to assist 7,000 families will
arrive December 7. We continue to assess needs and may well look to
identify other areas in which the USG can assist the victims. End
Summary.

2. USAID has released $250,000 in emergency grants to the Red Cross
and World Vision. USAID is also flying in relief supplies,
including plastic sheeting for temporary shelter and hygiene kits,
at a cost of some $150,000, bringing the total amount of assistance
to date to $400,000.

3. A joint JUSMAG/USAID team visited the affected area today
(12/06) to assess needs. While we do not have the full report,
their preliminary assessment suggested the main needs may be for
clean water and emergency medical personnel. JUSMAG will review
possibilities to assist with this need.

4. The Ambassador, Philippine Red Cross President Senator Richard
Gordon and U.S. military personnel will join USAID personnel in a
ceremony publicizing the arrival of the plane carrying the U.S.
relief commodities on December 7.

KENNEY

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