Cablegate: Sudan - Usaid Airlifts Plastic Sheeting for Flood-Affected

VZCZCXRO5463
OO RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1236 2210607
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 090607Z AUG 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8125
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001236

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W
USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, DCHA/OFDA, AND AFR/SP
NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, USAID/SFO AND FAS
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH
NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY
ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU
USUN FOR TMALY
BRUSSELS FOR PBROWN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI UN SU

SUBJECT: SUDAN - USAID AIRLIFTS PLASTIC SHEETING FOR FLOOD-AFFECTED
FAMILIES

1. On August 8, Charge d'Affaires (CDA) Fernandez and
Undersecretary for the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Ministry
of Humanitarian Affairs Charles Manyang welcomed the arrival of a
USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA)
airlift carrying plastic sheeting for flood-affected families in
Sudan. A total of two USAID airlifts on August 8 and 9 will provide
1,300 rolls of plastic sheeting -- enough for 13,000 families or
78,000 people. The sheeting is valued at approximately USD 600,000
and represents USAID's first step in assisting an estimated 365,000
flood-affected people in Sudan. USAID consigned the commodities to
the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) for distribution in northern and
eastern Sudan.

2. Sudanese journalists attended a press conference at the airport
and observed the off-loading of cargo on the tarmac. The event
opened with remarks from UNICEF Representative Ted Chaiban. CDA
Fernandez then addressed the group in Arabic, emphasizing the
substantial amount of U.S. assistance to the people of Sudan and the
USG's commitment to working with the GNU and international community
to meet humanitarian needs. On behalf of the GNU, Undersecretary
Manyang welcomed the donation, noting that the United States has
been a leader in providing aid to Sudan for decades. Undersecretary
Manyang recalled with appreciation the USG's role in the formation
of Operation Lifeline Sudan during the conflict in the south.
3. The plastic sheeting will be distributed via the Common
Humanitarian Pipeline, a quick-response distribution network
established in 2004 and managed by the U.N. Joint Logistics Center
with support from UNICEF and the non-governmental organization CARE.
This distribution mechanism, largely supported by USAID, has played
a vital role in ensuring that lifesaving supplies such as plastic
sheeting, cooking sets, and mosquito nets rapidly reach
flood-affected areas. The Common Pipeline has already rushed
supplies to more than 200,000 people in nine states in northern
Sudan.
4. USAID is considering additional assistance to flood-affected
families. USAID will continue to report on the situation as it
unfolds.
FERNANDEZ

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