VZCZCXRO1422
OO RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #1814/01 3241730
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 201730Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU IMMEDIATE 9341
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5581
INFO RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME IMMEDIATE 0375
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE 8237
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI IMMEDIATE 0272
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA IMMEDIATE 0982
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0558
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
RUEKDIA/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001814 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER 
AID/W FOR AA MARK WARD AND ANE ANNE DIX 
DEPT PASS TO SCA/EX 
DEPT PASS TO SCA/PB 
DCHA/FPP FOR MATTHEW NIMS AND PAUL NOVICK 
ROME FOR FODAG 
BANGKOK FOR RDM/A TOM DOLAN, BOB BARTON 
KATHMANDU FOR USAID OFDA BILL BERGER AND SUE MCINTYRE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI PINR PREL BG
SUBJECT: US MILITARY OPTIONS IN SUPPORT OF USAID/OFDA IN 
CYCLONE SIDR AFTERMATH 
 
REF: A. A) DHAKA 1808 
     ¶B. B) DHAKA 1808 
     ¶C. C) DHAKA 1797 
     ¶D. D) STATE 157623 
     ¶E. E) DHAKA 1796 
     ¶F. AND PREV. 
 
¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY.  Members of the Humanitarian Assistance 
Survey Team, Defense Attach, Office of Defense Cooperation 
chief, USAID/Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance 
(USAID/OFDA) and EMBOFF participated in briefings with host 
Armed Forces Division on 19 NOV, and the same group (less 
USAID/OFDA) overflew affected areas on 20 NOV in a host 
nation Army helicopter (detailed report septel).  Initial 
impressions from the overflight were that major 
infrastructure (roads, bridges, power poles and lines,) 
survived largely intact, but major losses were seen in crops 
and in homes.  Key issues repeated at all briefings, and 
borne out by first hand observation, are that the immediate 
needs are: potable water (both production and distribution), 
medical/public health support (focusing on preventing 
diseases in the storm's aftermath), shelter, clothing, and 
food (both in distribution of existing stockpiles and in 
replenishing stockpiles for their existing planned 
consumption by March 2008).  The Armed Forces Division 
briefers did not forecast a large need for a military US 
response, saying host nation military capacity was generally 
adequate for the tasks.  Field grade officers in Barisal, 
however, indicated that there is a need for tailored US 
support in the identified areas.  END SUMMARY. 
 
US MILITARY RESOURCES PRESENT IN BANGLADESH 
 
¶2. (SBU) USARPAC MEDICAL TEAM.  Already in place in 
Bangladesh, this team had just completed their successful 
medical readiness training exercise in conjunction with the 
host country military in Comilla when Cyclone SIDR struck. 
The team has remained in place, is now staged in Dhaka, and 
has been placed under the temporary control of the 
Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST).  The team's 
leader and the HAST medical officer met with host military 
medical personnel and participated in the assessment of 
potential deployment of medical teams in conjunction with 
host military and/or civilian medical teams and their 
logistics requirements. 
 
¶3. (SBU) HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE SURVEY TEAM (HAST). A 
forward party of 23 Marines and sailors detached from III 
Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) arrived in Bangladesh 19 NOV 
to initiate planning in support of USAID/OFDA.  The HAST is 
the forward planning element for the 3d Marine Expeditionary 
Brigade (MEB), which will lead the US military support 
effort, should it be requested.  USS Kearsarge is currently 
steaming towards Bangladesh with an estimated arrival date of 
22 NOV, as is USS Essex with an estimated arrival date of 27 
NOV, and USS Tarawa expected on 4 DEC. Essex is primarily 
configured for Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief 
(HA/DR) operations and is intended to be the primary support 
ship, if needed.  The HAST has initially identified logistics 
and lift capacity (both sea and air), medical support, and 
freshwater production as the principal areas where the III 
MEF's capabilities and host nation needs overlap. 
 
¶4. (SBU) OFFICE OF DEFENSE COOPERATION.  Host nation military 
and Post are in agreement that the already scheduled 
bilateral military exercise "BENGAL FLASH", as currently 
scripted, is not suited to the post-cyclone situation.  Host 
nation military proposes to conduct joint HA/DR projects 
instead during the same time period of early December as 
originally scheduled for BENGAL FLASH.  Specifically, 11 
Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) would conduct joint 
 
DHAKA 00001814  002 OF 002 
 
 
operations in support of HA/DR, mobile DENTCAP/MEDCAPS 
(perhaps using small military vessels as platforms), 
infrastructure projects (coordinated minor civil engineering 
and construction projects), and surveying/mapping of water 
ways.  Lift capacity might be used to delivering relief 
materials is those operations are still ongoing at that time. 
 These concepts would be coordinated with USAID, both OFDA 
and Mission, activities. 
 
¶5. (SBU) PACOM AUGMENTATION TEAM.  The team recently added an 
active duty US Army Civil Affairs Officer to coordinate Civil 
Affairs operations on a long term basis. US Army Civil 
Affairs teams in support of Pacific Command (PACOM) have the 
ability to conduct assessment operations for longer term 
developmental projects supporting USAID mission objectives. 
Military Civic Action (MCA) programs can be planned and 
implemented by to serve as a link between HA/DR and ongoing 
Theater Security Cooperation programs.  A specific example 
for Bangladesh would be the building of additional 
multipurpose shelters that serve as both a school and natural 
disaster shelter facility at the local or village level, 
funded by DOD.  Additionally, US Army Civil Affairs has the 
ability to focus its civil affairs operations by mapping the 
desired areas to affect as directed and in close coordination 
with the country team.  The PACOM augmentation team also has 
an information support team sub-element. This team can 
support ongoing HA/DR operations by designing and producing 
media products that improve the effectiveness of those 
operations, informing the public consistent with the 
Mission's public diplomacy goals. 
 
COMMON US MILITARY GOALS 
 
¶6. (SBU) CLOSE COORDINATION. The US military elements present 
in Bangladesh have made it clear that they are acting in 
support of USAID/OFDA, which is the lead agency for the USG 
response.  All segments of the military resources are in 
close coordination and are aware of the need to de-conflict 
efforts and avoid duplicating efforts both internally and 
with the larger host nation and international response. 
 
¶7. (SBU) POSITIVE PUBLIC RELATIONS.  Close coordination with 
public affairs is also a mission requirement.  Some factors 
in ensuring this are including host nation military officers 
and/or civilian officials in all relief material delivery. 
This also serves the dual purpose of ensuring a local guide 
and translator is present. 
 
¶8. (SBU) MINIMAL FOOTPRINT.  Of primary importance in any 
disaster scenario is to minimize any additional strain on the 
host nation's affected resources.  The HAST's contingency 
planning at this stage, for example, is assuming that 
helicopters would return to the ship or to existing host 
nation military facilities for refueling instead of setting 
up a forward refueling point with US Marines and sailors 
actually on the ground. 
 
¶9. (SBU) WAY FORWARD.  Possible areas where various US 
military capabilities overlap with apparent host nation needs 
have been identified, and the US military presence is 
prepared to move in support of USAID/OFDA if US military 
support to the humanitarian operation is determined to be 
appropriate.  The final phase of the HAST's assessment 
mission will be when BGen Bailey, 3d MEB Commander, meets 
with host nation Chief of Army Staff, General Moeen, on 22 
NOV to determine to what extent, if any, US military support 
will be requested.  If such a request is made, the HAST would 
remain to coordinate the response. 
Pasi