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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 001624 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR EAP/EX AND EAP/MTS 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI EAGR SENV RP
SUBJECT: USG ASSISTANCE SAVES LIVES AFTER TYPHOON FRANK 
 
REF: A) Manila 1504 B) Manila 1521 C) Manila 1543 D) Manila 1560 E) 
Manila 1582 
 
 
¶1.  Summary:  Coordinated U.S./Philippine efforts during a critical 
two-week period following the landfall of Typhoon Frank saved many 
people from thirst and hunger in the ten areas of greatest 
devastation.  Our assistance also generated tremendous good will and 
emphasized for Filipinos once again the humanitarian aspect of the 
U.S. military.  Typhoon Frank pounded 49 Philippine provinces June 
21-22 and killed 557 people, injured 826, and left 26 people 
missing.  Another 800 crew and passengers are presumed dead after 
the sinking of a ferry.  USAID and its Office of Foreign Disaster 
Assistance (OFDA), Philippine and U.S. military forces, and Embassy 
staff were on the ground providing critical, life-saving provisions 
and services to the hardest-hit areas.  The extensive press coverage 
overall shed a positive light on the financial assistance, relief 
supplies, and coordinated efforts by the USG and its Philippine 
partners.  The USG humanitarian assistance totaled $2,169,625, which 
saved lives and reinforced our friendship with the Philippines.  End 
summary. 
 
Devastation Caused by Typhoon Frank 
----------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  Typhoon Frank (international name "Typhoon Fengshen") affected 
over four million people in 49 provinces across the Philippines, and 
nearly 39,000 of these people are still in evacuation centers.  The 
Philippine National Disaster Coordinating Council estimates damage 
of $260 million to agriculture and infrastructure.  A significant 
number of the dead and missing were on the ferry MV Princess of the 
Stars when it capsized during the typhoon on June 21.  Of 866 
passengers and crew members on the manifest, there were only 56 
survivors, 173 confirmed dead, and the balance are missing, 
including two American citizens.  The final number may be higher, as 
there were likely un-ticketed children and other passengers aboard. 
Other typhoon-related deaths and injuries were caused by floods, 
falling objects, capsized boats, and electrocutions. 
 
Targeted and Effective U.S. Assistance 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  The United States was swift in its response with initial 
disbursement of $100,000 from USAID/OFDA to the Philippine National 
Red Cross (PNRC) on Jne 23 for the purchase and distribution of 
emergncy relief supplies, including blankets, plastic mats, 
mosquito nets, and water containers.  The USSRonald Reagan and its 
carrier group arrived westof Panay Island on June 25.  In 
coordination wit the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the 
Philipine government, and the Philippine National Red Cros (PNRC), 
U.S. Navy aircraft flew about 320 sorties to deliver over 500,000 
pounds of relief commodities between June 25 and July 2. In addition 
to carrying relief supplies donated by the U.S., the sorties carried 
supplies from the Philippine government, non-governmental 
organizations, and third countries. 
 
¶4.  Helicopters and C-2 aircraft transported Armed Forces of the 
Philippines (AFP) and USG personnel, including the Ambassador, to 
otherwise inaccessible areas on Panay and Sicogon islands.  These 
relief goods, including water, food, and shelter material, saved 
lives in remote areas of the Philippines. 
 
¶5. On June 26, a two-person USAID/OFDA team joined the eight U.S. 
Embassy personnel in Iloilo to assess needs and work with Department 
of Defense and Philippine counterparts to coordinate the U.S. 
assistance.  USAID/OFDA airlifted hygiene kits, plastic sheeting, 
and water containers valued at more than $560,000, which U.S. Navy 
helicopters transported to remote affected areas.  DOD's logistical 
support and $123,700 in additional supplies amounted to $1,503,900. 
Again, military aircraft allowed relief supplies to reach to 
isolated populations that would have otherwise struggled to 
survive. 
 
¶6.  The Navy vessel USNS Stockham arrived at the site of the 
capsized MV Princess of the Stars on June 24 with small boats, two 
search and rescue helicopters and an underwater scuba team to assist 
the AFP and Philippine Coast Guard with rescue operations.  The 
Stockham increased the Philippines' search and rescue capabilities 
while the hope of finding survivors flickered.  It left the 
typhoon-affected area on July 1. 
 
¶7.  Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other 
high-ranking Philippine officials, civilian and military, have 
 
MANILA 00001624  002 OF 002 
 
 
expressed their deep gratitude and personal thanks for the immediate 
and generous response delivered to the most desperate Filipinos 
during this tragic period.  U.S. Navy sailors and helicopter pilots 
who were instrumental in the effort were personally congratulated by 
President Arroyo when she arrived in Iloilo City on July 1.  In 
addition, President Arroyo offered her personal thanks to Rear 
Admiral Phil Wisecup, commander of the Ronald Reagan Strike Group 
and Commodore Brad Smith, Captain of the Stockham, following the 
memorial mass for the victims of the ferry sinking held on Sibuyan 
Island on July 1.  Philippine officials and non-governmental 
organizations are now concentrating on long-term rebuilding of 
typhoon-damaged communities. 
 
Positive Message on U.S. Relief Efforts 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶8.  U.S. relief efforts garnered extensive and overall very positive 
media coverage, with a number of pictures of U.S. disaster relief 
efforts in the national and regional print and broadcast media. 
While initially there was some skepticism expressed by Manila-based 
media about the humanitarian capabilities of the USS Ronald Reagan 
carrier group as well as allegations of a hidden agenda, Philippine 
authorities including President Arroyo quickly countered this 
notion.  Media coverage emphasized the joint U.S.-Philippine aspect 
of the humanitarian assistance with photos and reports of U.S. 
military personnel working alongside their Armed Forces of the 
Philippines counterparts and with local relief groups including the 
Philippine Red Cross and the National Disaster Coordinating Council. 
 Coverage dominated the headlines both on TV and in print from June 
23-July 4 and ongoing media coverage continues to mention U.S. 
assistance in the wake of Typhoon Frank.  Media were also intrigued 
by the stories of sailors from the Reagan Strike Group with 
Philippine family ties. 
 
¶9.  Comment:  This compassionate USG response saved lives, augmented 
our already-close relationship, and brought positive press coverage. 
 Without the airlift provided by U.S. forces, many remote and 
ravaged areas of the Philippines would have been very difficult to 
reach, leaving many residents hungry, thirsty, and without shelter. 
Through close collaboration with Philippine government and civil 
society, our team on the ground was able to pinpoint hard to access 
areas and deliver the commodities that they desperately needed. 
When the Ambassador, USAID Mission Director, and Philippine and U.S. 
military officers visited remote sites and took part in delivering 
goods, they witnessed the difference this made on an individual 
level.  U.S. assistance alleviated the suffering of thousands of 
people. 
 
KENNEY