Cablegate: The Philippines' Humanitarian Response to Cyclone Nargis

VZCZCXRO3854
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1164 1350903
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 140903Z MAY 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0712
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS MANILA 001164

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR EAP/MLS AARON COPE
STATE PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL RP
SUBJECT: The Philippines' Humanitarian Response to Cyclone Nargis

REF: STATE 48651

1. Per reftel request, Mission contacted the Philippine National
Disaster Coordinating Council, which stated that the Philippine
Department of Health formed a 15-person medical staff, to
immediately go to Burma once Burmese government officials allow the
team to enter. Further, the Philippine government will contribute a
logistical coordinator from the Philippine Department of Social
Welfare and Development and a public health professional from the
Philippine Department of health to join the ASEAN Emergency Rapid
Assessment Team. The ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management is
coordinating visas for the team members. The Committee told the
team members that they will leave for Burma in 48 hours (which
started yesterday). However, as of this afternoon, the team has
not received visas.

2. Three Philippine National Red Cross staff members are now in
Burma. Their entry was facilitated by the International Federation
of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

KENNEY

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