VZCZCXRO2710
RR RUEHGR
DE RUEHPO #0277 1321300
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 121300Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY PARAMARIBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8313
INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE
RUEHAO/AMCONSUL CURACAO 1023
RUEHTC/AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 1539
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 1423
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE 0436
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL

UNCLAS PARAMARIBO 000277 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR WHA/CAR - LLUFTIG 
DEPT FOR OCS/ACS/WHA - RBRANSON 
DEPT FOR WHA/PD - APRUITT, GADAMS, EDETTER 
DEPT FOR PA/PRS 
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA 
SAN JOSE FOR USAID/OFDA TIM CALLAGHAN 
PLEASE PASS PEACE CORPS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV PGOV PREL EAID ECON NS
SUBJECT: SITUATION UPDATE 2: FLOODING IN SURINAME'S INTERIOR 
 
REFS: (A) PARAMARIBO 266; (B) PARAMARIBO 269; (C) PARAMARIBO 
 
270 
 
¶1.  The Government of Suriname (GOS) continues to 
investigate the extent of the flooding disaster in southern 
Suriname, and is struggling to mount its response against 
formidable logistic obstacles.  As noted in ref (b), we 
received a formal request for assistance from the Ministry 
of Foreign Affairs on May 9, prompting our ref (c) disaster 
declaration.  High among GOS requests is for expert 
assessment for early recovery and relief efforts.  We 
understand from today's donor coordination meeting that UN 
and EU counterparts to OFDA have already begun informally 
consulting with OFDA, as well as with Red Cross officials, 
on the possibility of sending small numbers of disaster 
assessment experts.  A six-person UN team is set to arrive 
the evening of May 11.  The EU will make a final decision 
May 11 on sending a small team, but expects at this point 
that their eventual decision will be favorable. Post 
welcomes, as would the GOS, OFDA participation in that 
effort. 
 
¶2.  While rains have slowed in some areas, flooding has in 
fact worsened in the extreme south and western portions, and 
water levels remain the same elsewhere.  Food and water 
shortages are becoming an issue, and health authorities are 
concerned about outbreaks of diarrhea; they have not yet 
detected any signs of cholera.  A total 236 military and 
police officials have been dispatched to make contact with 
affected areas, ensuring communication and information flow 
to the National Crisis Center.  Donors have been impressed 
by the quality of information developed, stemming also from 
standing Ministry of Regional Development contacts with 
individual villages, and relying on an extensive internal 
radio network meshing private, medical, and various NGO 
systems. 
 
¶3.  Food and water supplies are beginning to move along 
three roads that serve the area, but road conditions are 
extremely poor, and heavy loads can only be carried to 
Albina, where they must then rely on river transport.  The 
condition of remaining airstrips is deteriorating rapidly 
from use, permitting only small planes to land.  The French 
and Brazilians are looking at the possibility of providing 
helicopter support. 
 
¶4.  One piece of good news is that a major rain front 
expected yesterday from the south did not in fact reach as 
far as lower Suriname.  The next rain front is not expected 
for three days. 
 
¶5.  Donors are meeting daily as a group with UNDP, which is 
liaising as a single point of contact with the National 
Disaster Coordination Center (NCCR).  Donors have been 
invited for a briefing by the crisis team, including the 
head of the NCCR and the five lead ministers, at the 
Presidency the evening of May 10. 
 
LEONARD