VZCZCXRO1915
OO RUEHCI
DE RUEHKA #1818/01 3250734
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 210734Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5589
INFO RUEHKT/AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU 9349
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 0990
RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 0280
RUEHGO/AMEMBASSY RANGOON 2592
RUEHLM/AMEMBASSY COLOMBO 8156
RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 8245
RUEHIL/AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD 1885
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0383
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0566
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RUEKDIA/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 001818 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SES-O 
DEPT FOR SCA/PB, SCA/EX 
DCHA/OFDA FOR ROBERT THAYER 
AID/W FOR AA MARK WARD AND ANE ANNE DIX 
DCHA/FFP FOR MATTHEW NIMS AND PAUL NOVICK 
ROME FOR FODAG 
BANGKOK FOR RDM/A TOM DOLAN, ROB BARTON 
KATHMANDU FOR USAID OFDA BILL BERGER AND SUE MCINTYRE 
TREASURY FOR ELIZABETH WEISS AND SUSAN CHUN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PREL ASEC CASC AMGT SOCI ECON PINR EAGR SENV
BG 
SUBJECT:  USAID/OFDA Cyclone Sidhr Assessment Cable #1:  USAID/OFDA 
Team Arrives in Dhaka, Bangladesh 
 
REF: A) DHAKA 1801 B) DHAKA 1797 C) STATE 157623 D) DHAKA 1796 E) 
 
DHAKA-WASHINGTON EMAIL SITREPS OF NOVEMBER 15-17, 2007 
 
¶1. Summary.  Heavy rainfall from Tropical Cyclone Sidr has caused 
severe flooding and destroyed crops and houses throughout southern 
Bangladesh, resulting in the death of 2,625 people and affecting 
more than 4 million others, according to the Government of 
Bangladesh (GOB) and the U.N. World Food Program (WFP).  On November 
16, 2007, U.S. Charge d'Affaires Geeta Pasi declared a disaster due 
to widespread damage from Cyclone Sidr.  On November 17 and 19, a 
team from USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance 
(USAID/OFDA) arrived in Dhaka, Bangladesh.  In conjunction with 
USAID/Bangladesh, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, the U.S. Department of 
Defense (DOD), U.N. agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), 
and the GOB, the five-person USAID/OFDA team is assessing the extent 
of damage caused by Cyclone Sidr, identifying gaps in humanitarian 
assistance, and coordinating U.S. Government (USG) efforts.  As of 
November 20, USAID/OFDA has provided more than $2.5 million to 
assist cyclone-affected populations in Bangladesh, including an 
airlift of emergency relief supplies from USAID/OFDA's warehouse in 
Dubai and four new water treatment units.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------------- 
IMPACT OF CYCLONE SIDR AND HUMANITARIAN NEEDS 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. On November 15, 2007, Tropical Cyclone Sidhr made landfall in 
southern Bangladesh with winds of 155 miles per hour.  Rainfall from 
the storms led to widespread flooding, damaged infrastructure, and 
destroyed crops throughout the southern coastal districts, 
particularly impacting Barguna and Pathuakhali as it tracked across 
central Bangladesh.  As of November 19, the impact of the cyclone 
had killed 2,625 people, led to the disappearance of 2,062 others, 
and damaged more than 9 million homes, according to the GOB's 
Disaster Management Bureau.  These causalities and reports of 
damaged houses, livestock, fisheries, and crops are expected to 
increase significantly as more information becomes available with 
ongoing humanitarian assessments. 
 
¶3. Preliminary reports indicate that the most critical humanitarian 
needs include food, shelter, and water, sanitation, and hygiene 
interventions.  Cyclone-affected populations also need non-food 
relief items, such as blankets, plastic sheeting, water containers, 
and hygiene and health kits.  WFP is evaluating and responding to 
emergency food needs.  In addition, the U.N. Food and Agriculture 
Organization is assisting vulnerable populations to resume 
livelihoods activities, targeting procurement for the next planting 
season, the distribution of fertilizer, and the fishing and shrimp 
industries. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
USAID/OFDA RESPONSE: ARRIVAL OF USAID/OFDA TEAM IN DHAKA 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶4. On November 17, USAID/OFDA's Regional Advisor arrived in Dhaka 
within 36 hours of Cyclone Sidr's landfall in Bangladesh.  On 
November 19, USAID/OFDA's shelter and livelihoods advisor, military 
liaison officer, information officer, and water, sanitation, and 
hygiene advisor also arrived in Dhaka.  The team is monitoring the 
humanitarian situation, conducting assessments of cyclone-affected 
areas, identifying gaps in assistance, and coordinating relief 
efforts with USAID/Bangladesh, DOD, U.N. agencies, NGOs, and the 
 
DHAKA 00001818  002 OF 002 
 
 
GOB. 
 
¶5. In response to the disaster declaration on November 16, 
USAID/OFDA provided an initial $100,000 through USAID/Bangladesh to 
NGOs for various emergency relief activities.  In addition, 
USAID/OFDA has allocated $1 million for emergency relief activities 
and an additional $1 million to the International Federation of the 
Red Cross for humanitarian interventions in shelter and water, 
sanitation, and hygiene. 
 
¶6. On November 19, USAID/OFDA, together with USAID/Bangladesh and 
U.S. Pacific Command, conducted an aerial assessment of 
cyclone-affected areas in southern Bangladesh.  The team witnessed 
widespread destruction of paddy fields, decimated trees, and few 
standing buildings in some villages.  The USAID/OFDA team will 
participate in additional assessments in the coming days, focusing 
primarily on humanitarian needs in shelter and water, sanitation, 
and hygiene. 
 
¶7. On November 20, USAID/OFDA airlifted emergency relief supplies to 
Dhaka, including 300 rolls of plastic sheeting, 5,000 blankets, 
2,500 10-liter water containers, and 2,500 hygiene kits.  These 
commodities, valued at more than $252,000 including transport, will 
provide assistance to approximately 15,000 cyclone-affected people. 
The USAID/OFDA team is coordinating the distribution of the 
emergency relief commodities through implementing NGO partners CARE 
and Save the Children. 
 
-------------------------------- 
USG AND INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶8. On November 20, USAID Administrator Henrietta Fore arrived in 
Bangladesh to discuss USG relief efforts, visit affected areas, and 
attend meetings with high-level host government officials, U.N. 
agencies, and other humanitarian actors responding to the cyclone. 
She also participated in the handover of USAID/OFDA's airlifted 
emergency relief commodities to assist cyclone-affected populations. 
 On behalf of the President of the United States and the American 
people, Administrator Fore expressed her condolences to the victims 
of Cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh. 
 
¶9. Through U.S. Pacific Command, DOD is actively engaged in the 
humanitarian response to Cyclone Sidr.  On November 19, a 23-member 
Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST) arrived in Dhaka to begin 
assessment of possible U.S. military support for the humanitarian 
operation.  On November 20, nine members of the HAST visited 
affected areas in Khulna and Barisal Divisions to identify areas 
where military support may be appropriate.  The HAST plans to 
conduct further assessments in the coming days. 
 
¶10. Local media reported that U.N. agencies and donor nations have 
pledged more than $142 million for cyclone-affected populations. 
Saudi Arabia alone is providing $100 million, while WFP, the U.N. 
Children's Fund (UNICEF), the U.S., Australia, the U.K., 
Switzerland, China, India, Pakistan, Canada, and Japan have also 
offered assistance.  On November 20, the Japanese Government 
airlifted 466 boxes of relief commodities, including tents, plastic 
sheeting, and blankets, to Bangladesh. 
PASI