Cablegate: Disaster Declaration Q Indonesia: Earthquake Off

VZCZCXRO8613
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHJA #1481 2470851
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 040851Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY JAKARTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3248
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE
RUEHML/USPACOM REP PHILIPPINES MANILA RP
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8804

UNCLAS JAKARTA 001481

AIDAC FOR DCHA/OFDA, WMILLER, RTHAYER
DEPT FOR EAP, EAP/MTS, EAP/MLS, CA/OCS, CA
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA ADWYER

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV CASC ECON EAID SENV ID
SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION Q INDONESIA: EARTHQUAKE OFF
COAST OF JAVA

REF: JAKARTA 1467

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SUMMARY
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1. (U) This is an action message. Please see para 6.

2. (U) On September 2 at 2:55 p.m. local time, a 7.0
magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of western Java,
Indonesia, approximately 95 km south-southwest of the
nearest heavily populated city, Bandung, and approximately
195 miles south-southeast of Jakarta. Two aftershocks
measuring 5.1 and 5.4 on the Richter scale, respectively,
occurred within two hours of the first temblor. Initial
damage assessments indicated little significant damage in
Jakarta and Bandung cities, but more significant damage in
Tasikmalaya and Garut districts along the Java coastline.
Local tsunami warnings were issued for coastal areas within
several hundred kilometers of the epicenter but were
withdrawn approximately one hour later.

3. (U) According to international media reports, government
officials had reported at least 42 deaths and 300 injuries
resulting from the earthquake as of the morning of
September 3. In addition, according to the GOI Disaster
Management National Agency (BNPB), more than 40 individuals
are missing and presumed dead following an associated
landslide in the district of Cianjur, approximately 100 km
south of Jakarta. BNPB officials note that the death toll
could rise significantly higher, as communications with
coastal areas are currently limited. In addition,
government officials report that the earthquake damaged
approximately 1,300 homes.

4. (U) In Garut, affected sub-districts include Cikaret,
Cibalong, Singajaya, Cilawung, Pancatura, Banjarwangi, and
Paameungpeuk, with an estimated 40 percent of houses
heavily damaged in some of the most-affected sub-districts,
according to the UN Office for the Coordination of
Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In Tasikmalaya, the most-
affected area is Cipatujah Sub-District, with local
officials reporting that an estimated 70 percent of homes
and other buildings had collapsed in Ciharas village in
Cipatujah. According to OCHA, damage in Tasikmalaya City
remained limited.

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USG RESPONSE
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5. (U) The Chief of Mission has determined that the
September 2 earthquake off the coast of western Java,
Indonesia, caused damage beyond the immediate capability of
the host government to respond, that the host government is
willing to accept international assistance, that the
disaster is of sufficient magnitude to warrant U.S.
Government assistance, and that it is in the best interest
of the U.S. Government to respond. The Chief of Mission is
therefore exercising the disaster assistance authority.

6. (U) Post requests that USAID/OFDA release USD 100,000
for the immediate relief and early recovery through a non-
governmental organization. In addition, Post welcomes the
visit of USAID/OFDA Principal Regional Advisor Al Dwyer
from Bangkok to work with MDRO Alfred Nakatsuma and other
Mission staff to assess the situation and determine if
additional assistance is required.

HUME

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