Cablegate: Japan's Continuing Efforts for Burmese Disaster

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREL BM JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN'S CONTINUING EFFORTS FOR BURMESE DISASTER
RELIEF

REF: A. TOKYO 1261

B. STATE 48651

1. (SBU) Japan continues to seek ways to provide assistance
to Burma in the wake of Cyclone Nargis, as reported ref A.
Foreign Minister Masahiko Koumura announced May 9 the GOJ
will provide USD $10 million in emergency aid to be
distributed primarily through international organizations
including UNHCR, UNICEF and WFP. Ministry of Foreign Affairs
(MOFA) Overseas Disaster Assistance Division Director Takashi
Koizumi told AID Counselor May 12 discussions are ongoing in
Rome, New York and Geneva as to how to distribute and utilize
these and other funds.

2. (SBU) Japan also delivered two shipments of emergency
in-kind supplies, including generators, tents and blankets,
totaling approximately USD $570,000 May 7 and 11 via
commercial aircraft to Rangoon, Koizumi stated. Burma's
Ministry of Social Welfare accepted the shipments and is
reportedly distributing the supplies, but neither Japanese
officials nor NGOs have been able to monitor the process.
Koizumi said two Japanese nationals working for the Red Cross
in Malaysia are currently in Burma, but Rangoon has yet to
accept Japan's offer to send emergency medical teams.

3. (SBU) The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
maintains a permanent office in Rangoon with more than thirty
Japanese and local staff who are all assisting with the
relief effort, Koizumi continued. In addition, five relief
workers working for the Japan Platform, an umbrella
organization representing many Japanese NGOs, entered Burma
using tourist passports May 10. The workers are distributing
food, clothes and other goods, and are also conducting a
needs assessment. Japan Platform is preparing to send an
additional five staff, including two from Save the Children
Japan, within the next several days, Koizumi stated.

DONOVAN

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