VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEK #1037/01 2821114
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 081114Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY BISHKEK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1431
INFO RUEHTA/AMEMBASSY ASTANA IMMEDIATE 2188

UNCLAS BISHKEK 001037 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR SCA/CEN (GORKOWSKI), EUR/ACE AND PRM/ENSA 
USAID FOR OFDA - ROB ANDREW AND ALEX MAHONEY 
ASTANA PLEASE PASS TO ALMATY USAID OFFICE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID KG
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR GFOELLER DECLARES DISASTER IN OSH 
OBLAST, KYRGYZ REPUBLIC 
 
REF: BISHKEK 1030 
 
¶1. Summary and Action Request: Ambassador Tatiana Gfoeller 
declares a humanitarian disaster in the Osh Oblast located in 
southern Kyrgyz Republic following an earthquake on October 
5, 2008.  The Ambassador and the Regional Mission request 
that DCHA/OFDA immediately commit USD 50,000 to purchase 
building supplies to repair/replace housing destroyed. End 
Summary. 
¶2. Background: On 5 October 2008 at 10:00 pm local time (plus 
6 GMT) an earthquake of magnitude 6.6 on Richter scale 
occurred in the south of Kyrgyzstan (39.515 degrees N, 73.768 
degrees E), at the border with Tajikistan and China. 
Complete information is still not available, but the worst 
affected areas are parts of Chon-Alai and Alai Rayon, some 
220 kilometers from the main city of Osh.  Rescue operations 
are continuing in the affected areas.  Data made available 
through the Kyrgyz Ministry of Emergencies indicate that the 
death toll has risen to 74 people, of which 43 are children. 
The number of injured has risen to 142, of which 93 are 
children. 
 
¶3.  Chon-Alai has a total population of 21,800 in 17 
settlements and Alai has 72,600 inhabitants in 57 
settlements. The areas are at high altitude and sparsely 
populated.  The main road to access the area has been 
severely damaged, limiting access to the affected 
populations.  Limited access and communication with the 
affected areas continues to hamper full assessments and 
relief operations.  It is likely that information will 
continue to come in over the next few days.  However, the 
Ministry of Emergency Situations has been able to assess most 
of the settlements in the area surrounding Nura.  They 
identified some 211 displaced families.  Given the sparse 
population in the area, the Ministry does not expect this 
number to rise dramatically.  The Ministry has in place a 
plan to set up a tented camp for 211 families.  This number 
is lower than first anticipated. 
¶4.  Making the situation precarious, however, is the fact 
that the air temperature in the affected area is 0 degrees 
Celsius at night with strong winds. It has not snowed yet, 
but it is expected that snow and frost will start within the 
next few weeks.  The most immediate need in the area is for 
construction materials for quick assembly/pre-fabricated 
houses. 
 
¶5.  During a follow-up coordination meeting held on October 
8, 2008, the Ministry of Emergency Situations informed 
representatives of international donors and Embassies that 
they are continuing to assess casualties, damages and needs 
in the surrounding villages in the affected Rayons 
(administrative entities).  The Ministry of Emergencies has 
evacuated 110 injured people via helicopter to nearby 
hospitals. Thus far hospitals have sufficient medical 
supplies.  The hospital administration and social services 
are supporting children orphaned by the disaster. 
Psychosocial support and stress management issues (especially 
for children) are currently their main concerns and they are 
seeking additional staff with the appropriate skills. 
¶6.  The Government of Kyrgyzstan and international 
organization response to date (updated): Initial relief 
efforts, led by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, were 
immediate and included United Nations Agencies, international 
NGOs, and foreign governments, including the U.S. Embassy and 
Manas Airbase (which have made available used clothing, 
drinking water, MREs, and basic medical supplies).  The 
response by the Ministry and other donors has included the 
provision of winterized tents, heaters, blankets, food, 
mattresses, and money for food items.  Additional relief 
items continue to flow in from the Russian Government, the 
German Government, IOM, OCHA, WHO, and UNFPA.  The 
inter-Ministerial committee on Emergencies is responsible for 
the overall coordination of the response. Members of the 
international community have a seat on this committee to 
facilitate coordination with external partners.  The OCHA 
Situation Reports is available on the OCHA Internet Website 
at http://www.reliefweb.int. 
 
¶7. The Ministry of Emergency situations has followed up its 
original request for a variety of aid from the international 
community, including shelter, logistics, food items, non-food 
items (such as blankets, mattresses, and sleeping bags).  The 
outstanding needs identified by the Ministry include: 
construction materials for quick assembly/pre-fabricated 
houses, electric power generators, kerosene stoves, kitchen 
sets, fuel/lubricants, family food rations, etc.  The Mission 
proposes to provide building materials, which is the most 
pressing need expressed by the Ministry.  No other donors 
 
have stepped up to address this need.  The Mission notes that 
all USG relief efforts are being coordinated in country and 
that it is aware and appreciative of DoD,s offer of 
additional relief assistance.  Before requesting additional 
relief assistance, Post wishes to collect more information on 
need. 
 
¶8. Mission will keep addressees updated as additional 
information becomes available. 
GFOELLER