Cablegate: Baghdad Bombings: Usg Assistance Coordination

VZCZCXYZ0013
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGB #2904 3031407
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301407Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY BAGHDAD
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5279
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC PRIORITY

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 002904

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID ASEC PGOV PTER IZ
SUBJECT: BAGHDAD BOMBINGS: USG ASSISTANCE COORDINATION
WORKING GROUP - OCTOBER 30 UPDATE

REF: A. A) BAGHDAD 2877
B. B)BAGHDAD 2883 C) BAGHDAD 2884 D) BAGHDAD 2889
E) BAGHDAD 2900

1. (SBU) Summary: Post's Assistance Coordination Working
Group continues to monitor and organize assistance to the GOI
following the October 25 bombings. Delivery of laptops and
other equipment to the Higher Judicial Council (HJC) will
allow it to become functional by November 1. The Ministry of
Justice (MOJ) continues to assess the damage and seek
temporary work space but hopes to begin headquarters
operations within a week. The United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees in Iraq (UNHCR) and International
Organization for Migration (IOM) have provided emergency kits
to families living near the bomb site and will assist in
housing repairs. End Summary.

2. (SBU) INL has expedited existing programming to improve
computer connectivity and data management for the HJC and
MOJ. INL has also offered emergency work space and office
supplies to the MOJ IT staff who are currently seeking
reestablishment of their office. 20 laptops will be
delivered to the Karkh Appellate Courthouse (temporary
quarters for the HJC) on October 31, aimed at making the HJC
functional and operational by November 1.

3. (SBU) The MOJ building (which also houses the HJC
headquarters) suffered the most damage in the bombings. In a

meeting with Minister of Justice Dara on the evening of
October 29, he told us all floors of the MOJ building were
severely damaged, with many cracked floors and dropped
ceilings. Dara has been making the rounds at various
hospitals to visit injured staff. Dara also told us the DG
for Gazettes was seriously injured when he was blown out of
his second story office and landed in his chair on the
traffic circle. He remains in critical condition.
Electricity, plumbing, and utilities are down. MOJ is
currently reviewing the National Security Council Building
and Real Estate and Registrar Office for use as temporary
work space and hopes to restart ministerial headquarters
operations within a week. MOJ has set up a table on the
first floor of its building to handle employee concerns about
the missing and injured. Gulf Region Division (GRD)
engineers will begin structural assessments of the MOJ/HJC
building next week. Dara said the greatest immediate needs
were vehicles and laptops.

4. (SBU) USAID reported that the Ministry of Municipalities
and Public Works (MMPW) has requested an infrastructure
security protection assessment at their old Mansour compound
for use as temporary work space. ITAO and the GRD are working
to respond to this request.

5. (U) United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI)
and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) reported no requests for humanitarian
assistance from the GOI other than supplies of anesthetics.
On October 27, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
in Iraq (UNHCR) made an assessment of 590 families who live
near the bomb site and found 25 homes severely damaged, 150
homes had minor damage, and 200 apartments suffered minor
damage. UNHCR -- in coordination with the Deputy Governor of
Baghdad, members of the Baghdad Provincial Council, Ministry
of Displacement and Migration, and the Baghdad Operations
Command -- sent emergency non-food item (NFI) kits including
blankets, gas stoves, plastic sheeting, kitchen sets, hygiene
kits and lanterns, to 590 affected families. UNHCR will also
assist with necessary repairs. International Organization for
Migration (IOM) also has household NFIs available if needed.
QMigration (IOM) also has household NFIs available if needed.
IOM reported that more than 75 shops were damaged, suffering
broken windows and roofs, and is prepared to assist with
repairs.
HILL

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