P 312100Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 3868
INFO RHEHNSC/NSC WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 1970
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5// PRIORITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 10 STATE 116623 
 
PASS TO USAID/DIRECTORS/REPS, AMEMBASSY DCMS 
PASS TO MISSION DISASTER RELIEF OFFICERS 
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH, ROME FOR USUN ROME, NEW YORK 
FOR DMERCADO 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: REF SOCI EAID
SUBJECT: USAID/DCHA Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster 
Assistance's Guidance for Disaster Planning and Response 
- FY 2009 
 
REF:  ADS 251 
 
¶1.  This is an action cable. Please see paragraph 5. 
 
¶2.  Summary:  This cable provides guidance to all posts 
concerning support from USAID/DCHA's office of U.S. 
Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) before, during, 
and after the occurrence of natural and complex disasters 
abroad in Fiscal Year (FY) 2009.  USAID/OFDA's mission, 
capabilities, and support capacities in coordinating and 
managing U.S. Government (USG) assistance in response to 
disasters are also outlined.  Procedures highlight the 
need for both continuous USAID/OFDA and USAID mission 
collaboration in the planning process for disasters as 
well as regular and sustained communication between 
Mission Disaster Relief Officers (MDROs) and USAID/OFDA 
Regional Advisors and Coordinators to ensure timely, 
appropriate, and effective USG emergency assistance.  The 
guidance provided in this cable should be used in 
conjunction with Automated Directives System (ADS) 251 on 
international disaster assistance.  Posts are encouraged 
to contact USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors in the field and 
Regional Coordinators in Washington, DC, for additional 
information, guidance, and clarifications.  This cable 
has also been cleared by State F and State M/PRI.  End 
summary. 
 
-------------------- 
USAID/OFDA's Mission 
-------------------- 
 
¶3.  USAID/OFDA, within the Bureau for Democracy, 
Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA), is 
responsible for providing international disaster 
assistance and coordinating the USG response to declared 
disasters in foreign countries.  USAID/OFDA's mission is 
to minimize and, where possible, prevent loss of life, 
alleviate human suffering, and reduce damage to economic 
assets in disaster-affected countries.  Through support 
for programs in disaster mitigation, preparedness, and 
training, USAID/OFDA seeks to address the underlying 
hazards and vulnerabilities that create disaster risks 
and exacerbate impacts.  (Note: USAID/OFDA's 
responsibility and authority are specified in the Foreign 
Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, sections 491-493. 
End note.) 
 
------------------------------- 
Designation and Role of an MDRO 
------------------------------- 
 
¶4.  The Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) is 
appointed by the Chief of Mission (CoM) and is the focal 
point at post for disaster-related information, planning, 
and activities affecting the host country.  In posts that 
have a USAID Mission, the CoM often delegates the 
responsibility for selecting the MDRO and the alternate 
MDRO to the USAID Mission Director.  The MDRO is a 
regular member of the post's Emergency Action Committee 
(EAC) and is responsible for preparing and maintaining 
Annex J of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP), entitled 
Assistance to Host Country in a Major Accident or 
Disaster, and ensuring that post personnel are familiar 
with its contents.  This section of the EAP is also 
referred to as the Mission Disaster Relief Plan (MDRP). 
The template for Annex J of the Emergency Action Plan or 
the MDRP can be downloaded from the State Department 
intranet at http://arpsdir.a.state.gov/fam/12fah01.html 
If the MDRO is not routinely included in EAC meetings, 
OFDA encourages the MDRO to brief the EAC at least once a 
year on the status of Annex J of the EAP.  The EAC needs 
to know who the MDRO is and that the MDRO is the focal 
point for issues related to the host population.  In 
addition, the MDRO should be familiar with host 
government disaster authorities and other potential 
humanitarian partners and continually liaise with the 
USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor, as well as staff at post 
from the Department of Defense (DOD) and/or the State 
Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees, and 
Migration (State/PRM), to ensure the free flow of 
information related to evolving disaster situations.  An 
alternate MDRO assists and replaces the MDRO during 
periods of absence.  USAID/OFDA recommends that the 
alternate MDRO be a Foreign Service National (FSN) to 
provide consistency and continuity. 
 
¶5.  It is essential that USAID/OFDA have the most current 
contact information on file for MDROs and alternates to 
facilitate a rapid USG response to a declared disaster. 
Posts should provide updated contact information for 
MDROs and alternates, including names, titles, tour end 
dates, contact numbers (office phone, home phone, 
cellular phone, and fax), and e-mail addresses to 
USAID/OFDA Mission Disaster Preparedness Coordinator 
Christine Leonardo by cable or by e-mail at 
cleonardo@usaid.gov.  If your post has provided updated 
contact information in the past four months, please 
disregard this request. 
 
---------------------- 
When a Disaster Occurs 
---------------------- 
 
¶6.  First steps:  The MDRO should undertake several 
actions when a disaster occurs.  First, the MDRO needs to 
verify the scope and magnitude of the event and the 
humanitarian consequences through established information 
contacts and networks, including host government 
officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), U.N. 
and international organization (IO) representatives, Red 
Cross and Red Crescent societies, other embassies, and 
donors.  The MDRO should immediately notify the CoM, who 
will approve the disaster declaration cable (see 
paragraph 8).  In some cases, depending on the nature of 
the disaster, the post's EAC will be convened.  The 
MDRO's initial point of contact for response options 
should be USAID/OFDA's Regional Advisor(s) in the 
affected region to ensure effective communication flow 
and coordination (contact information in paragraph 19). 
 
¶7.  Issuing a disaster alert cable:  If it appears likely 
that USG assistance may be necessary and appropriate, the 
MDRO should draft a disaster alert cable to USAID/OFDA, 
time permitting, providing background and current 
situation information regarding the disaster event and 
post's anticipated course of action.  This cable should 
be sent even if post has no immediate plans to request 
disaster assistance from USAID/OFDA (see paragraph 9). 
The addressee on the caption line of all field cables 
must be "DCHA/OFDA", for internal USAID routing purposes, 
and information provided in disaster alert cables should 
be unclassified. 
 
¶8.  Issuing a disaster declaration cable:  While a 
disaster alert cable is not required (though strongly 
encouraged), a disaster declaration cable is necessary 
for USAID/OFDA to provide humanitarian assistance.  In 
the event of a rapid-onset disaster that does not allow 
sufficient time for both a disaster alert and disaster 
declaration cable, only a disaster declaration cable is 
needed.  To request assistance from USAID/OFDA in the 
disaster declaration cable, the U.S. Ambassador or Charge 
d'Affaires (Charge) must determine that the disaster 
satisfies the following criteria:  1) the disaster is of 
such magnitude that it is beyond the host country's 
ability to respond adequately;  2) the host country 
desires or will accept USG assistance;  and 3) it is in 
the interest of the USG to provide assistance.  This 
determination should be made in consultation with 
USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors.  For countries without an 
official U.S. diplomatic presence, the Assistant 
Secretary of State for the appropriate region may declare 
a disaster via a memorandum from the State Department to 
the Director of USAID/OFDA.  Important:  when issuing the 
disaster declaration cable, posts should also email 
and/or fax a copy of the cable to USAID/OFDA in 
Washington to ensure that the cable is received. 
 
¶9.  Information to include in the disaster declaration 
cable:  The cable from post requesting USAID/OFDA's 
assistance needs to describe the disaster event and to 
provide the following information:  1) the extent to 
which the host country needs assistance to respond 
adequately to the disaster;  2) whether the host 
government has requested or will accept USG assistance; 
and 3) the intended use of requested resources, including 
recommended organization(s) through which funds will be 
channeled.  Other requested information includes 
estimated numbers of people killed, injured, affected, 
and displaced/homeless; immediate humanitarian needs; 
such disaster background information as geographic 
location and damage to infrastructure, crops, and 
livestock; other donor efforts/contributions; and 
additional information from available assessment reports 
as appropriate. 
 
¶10.  Disaster assistance request:  The U.S. Ambassador or 
Charge can request up to USD 50,000 for immediate 
disaster relief from USAID/OFDA.  The disaster 
declaration cable must provide a clear description of the 
intended use and prospective recipients of the response 
funds.  Post should award funds within 24 hours, but not 
later than 72 hours, after receipt of the USAID/OFDA 
response cable.  USAID/OFDA's regional and/or Washington 
office will coordinate with the MDRO to assist in the 
determination of appropriate response options. 
USAID/OFDA funds are to be used for immediate disaster 
relief or rehabilitation, not for long-term 
reconstruction.  Relief assistance is provided to save 
lives, reduce human suffering, and alleviate the economic 
impact of disasters, and should generally be designated 
for existing humanitarian relief-implementing 
organizations rather than for host nation government 
ministries.  Disaster rehabilitation includes 
intermediate-term activities to assist disaster-stricken 
populations in their efforts to return to self- 
sufficiency.  USAID/OFDA will consider the relief phase 
completed within 60 days after the onset of a sudden 
disaster event, unless post requests and USAID/OFDA 
approves a continuation of the initial response period. 
However, USAID/OFDA assistance may be provided for as 
long as the disaster requires emergency humanitarian 
assistance.  Relief assistance for ongoing disasters, 
such as drought and civil strife, requires a 
redeclaration cable at the beginning of each new USG 
fiscal year (October 1).  Post needs to consider whether 
a renewal of a disaster declaration in a new fiscal year 
is required. 
 
¶11.  The MDRO should notify the chief of the consular 
section as soon as possible after a disaster occurs, 
since the consular section is responsible for 
ascertaining the welfare of American citizens who may be 
affected by the disaster and for warning Americans not to 
travel to the disaster zone.  The MDRO should notify the 
consular section of any American casualties known to have 
resulted from the disaster and should advise Americans 
encountered in the disaster area to contact the consular 
section, which frequently receives "welfare and 
whereabouts" queries from concerned family members after 
a disaster has occurred. 
 
¶12.  Other significant actions by the MDRO:  In addition 
to the above actions, the MDRO should start a log of 
significant events and provide regular, numbered 
situation report cables to USAID/OFDA that update and 
expand on the initial disaster declaration cable.  The 
MDRO should maintain regular contact with relevant 
organizations, including host government officials, 
USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors, DOD officials, State/PRM 
staff, NGOs, IOs, U.N. agencies, and other donors; 
assemble the EAC, if necessary; gather preliminary 
assessments of funding, commodity, and other operational 
requirements, including logistics and transport; and 
identify potential relief channels.  The MDRO should also 
keep the embassy's public affairs officer advised of both 
the scope of the disaster and the details of the 
mission's response.  The public affairs officer acts as 
the embassy spokesperson, and is responsible for all 
official communications to the media, including press 
releases. 
 
---------------------------------- 
How USAID/OFDA May Assist the MDRO 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶13.  Capabilities:  In addition to releasing up to USD 
50,000 of disaster assistance funds, USAID/OFDA has 
several other capacities for providing disaster 
assistance, including the deployment of USAID/OFDA 
Regional Advisors, an assessment team, or a Disaster 
Assistance Response Team (DART); provision of relief 
commodities from USAID/OFDA stockpiles; and additional 
disaster funding of NGO, IO, and U.N. emergency 
assistance proposals or appeals.  The decision to use 
these additional capacities is based on the magnitude of 
the disaster and the host country's own response 
capacities.  These additional capabilities are described 
below: 
 
¶A.  Regional Advisors:  In addition to providing pre- 
disaster guidance, USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors also 
assist in donor coordination and liaison, assessments, 
monitoring and reporting, logistics for relief 
commodities, communications with USAID/OFDA in 
Washington, and other aspects of post's relief effort. 
(Note: a disaster declaration is not required for the 
deployment of regional advisors.  End note.) 
 
¶B.  Assessment team:  The assessment team provides 
USAID/OFDA in Washington and post with information and 
recommendations to make timely decisions regarding the 
USG disaster response.  USAID/OFDA's assessment teams are 
typically composed of sector specialists (such as experts 
in health, nutrition, agriculture, water and sanitation, 
shelter, geo-hazards, logistics, protection, and disaster 
management), as well as supervisory staff familiar with 
USAID/OFDA policies and procedures.  (Note: a disaster 
declaration is not required for USAID/OFDA to deploy an 
assessment team.  End note.) 
 
¶C.  Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART): 
USAID/OFDA's Director, with the concurrence of the U.S. 
Ambassador or acting CoM in the affected country, may 
deploy a DART, based on the magnitude and severity of the 
disaster.  A DART is a team of disaster specialists who 
deploy to assist a post or posts in managing the USG 
response to a disaster.  A DART will expedite 
USAID/OFDA's response, gather information and report on 
the disaster situation, assess the effectiveness of the 
overall humanitarian response (including USG-funded 
relief activities), identify unmet humanitarian needs, 
advise the mission on disaster issues, and manage USG 
field relief activities.  The DART structure is flexible 
in size and composition but normally provides such core 
functions as management, planning, logistics, operations, 
and administrative capacities, and, in certain 
circumstances, contracting capacity, in addition to 
sector specialists.  The DART provides information and 
programming support, including regular reporting on 
humanitarian conditions and other risks facing affected 
populations, liaising with the relief community, 
reviewing proposals, and recommending funding.  If USAID 
anticipates the need for DOD assistance, DART staff may 
include USAID liaison officers who can coordinate with 
DOD counterparts to assess how military capabilities 
might be employed most efficiently.  USAID/OFDA may 
request post's assistance, when necessary, in arranging 
for the importation and licensing of vehicles and 
communications and computer equipment used by the DART 
(such as global positioning systems, hand-held radios, 
satellite phones, high frequency radios, laptop 
computers, and/or digital cameras).  Radio frequencies 
for the U.S. embassy, NGOs, U.N. agencies, and local 
government offices may also be requested by DART 
personnel.  A DART might also request administrative and 
consular support from post. 
 
¶D.  USAID/OFDA relief commodities:  USAID/OFDA may 
provide disaster relief commodities (such as blankets, 
plastic sheeting, and water containers) from USAID/OFDA's 
various worldwide stockpiles when appropriate. 
USAID/OFDA can contract transportation services via 
sealift or land transport.  USAID/OFDA may also fund air 
transport of emergency commodities when urgent delivery 
is required.  Commodity shipment requests must identify, 
by name, the responsible consignee and in-country point 
of contact, including telephone and fax numbers.  Post 
should also affirm that arrangements for the distribution 
of commodities have been secured.  Requests for 
USAID/OFDA assistance should indicate any limitations on 
the size and capacity of the receiving airport, seaport, 
and/or warehouse, including the availability of discharge 
labor and facilities.  Requests should also indicate 
whether uniformed service personnel and/or other DOD 
staff are authorized to travel in-country, as USAID/OFDA 
may use DOD to assist with the transport of emergency 
relief commodities when, for example, commercial 
alternatives are unavailable or when unique military 
capabilities can expedite relief efforts during urgent, 
life-saving situations.  USAID/OFDA may request post's 
assistance, when necessary, in arranging for customs 
 
¶E.  NGO/IO/U.N. funding:  USAID/OFDA provides funding to 
NGOs and IOs to implement emergency program assistance 
for disaster response activities. 
NGOs do not have to be U.S.-based, nor do they have to be 
registered as private voluntary organizations (PVOs) with 
USAID, to be eligible to receive international disaster 
assistance funding.  USAID/OFDA solicits post's knowledge 
and experience with the NGO community before reaching a 
funding decision.  USAID/OFDA may support local Red 
Cross/Red Crescent societies through grants to the 
American Red Cross and/or, in consultation with 
State/PRM, the International Committee of the Red Cross 
and Red Crescent (ICRC) and/or the International 
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies 
(IFRC).  Please note that both ICRC and IFRC have been 
designated by USAID as international organizations (IOs) 
for grant-making purposes.  Alternatively, posts may use 
USAID/OFDA funds provided in a mission fund citation to 
enter into a direct agreement with local Red Cross/Red 
Crescent societies. 
 
¶F.  Posts are encouraged to review NGO proposals and IO 
or U.N. appeals and provide recommendations. 
Specifically, posts should review NGO proposals to ensure 
that they are prepared according to USAID/OFDA's grant 
proposals and reporting guidelines (available at 
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_as sistance/dis 
aster_assistance/) and include all requested information. 
If a USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor or other USAID/OFDA 
field representative is working with post on the disaster 
response, the Regional Advisor's prior clearance or 
comments normally should be obtained.  The mission- 
endorsed proposal is reviewed by USAID/OFDA in Washington 
and shared with the appropriate USAID geographic bureau, 
as necessary, before the funding activity is approved. 
 
¶G.  In reviewing grant proposals, posts should be mindful 
of USAID Acquisition and Assistance Policy Directive 
(AAPD) 02-04 (now incorporated into chapters 302 and 303 
of the ADS), which refers to U.S. executive orders and 
laws that prohibit transactions with organizations 
associated with terrorism and which requires inclusion of 
certain specified language in all USAID contracts and 
assistance instruments.  These clauses state that it is 
the legal responsibility of the contractor or assistance 
recipient to ensure compliance with these executive 
orders and laws.  In addition, posts should also be 
mindful that AAPD 04-14 requires all NGO recipients of 
USAID assistance to certify that they do not provide 
material support and resources to terrorists or for 
terrorist acts. 
 
¶H.  In executing a grant to an NGO, USAID/OFDA can 
provide a mission fund citation if the mission has local 
contracting or grant authority, or USAID/Washington can 
contract directly with the NGO's headquarters.  (Note: 
when providing funds to a post, the commitment is 
recorded at USAID/Washington and post is required to 
forward the obligating document to USAID/OFDA.  The 
failure to provide the obligating document may result in 
the de-obligation of the funds.  End note.)  USAID/OFDA 
will monitor and evaluate the performance of USAID/OFDA- 
funded relief efforts in accordance with USAID/OFDA's 
guidelines. 
 
¶I.  Section 2110 of the Emergency Supplemental 
Appropriations Act for Defense, the Global War on Terror, 
and Tsunami Relief, 2005, provides that none of the funds 
under the heading International Disaster Assistance (IDA) 
may be obligated to an organization that fails to adopt a 
code of conduct that provides for the protection of 
beneficiaries of assistance under such heading from 
sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian relief 
operations.  This provision applies to funds obligated 
for FY 2005 and for subsequent fiscal years.  To this 
end, the following language should be included in all 
IDA-funded awards:  "Code of conduct for the protection 
of beneficiaries of assistance from sexual exploitation 
and abuse in humanitarian relief operations: 
 
--  as a condition for this award, it is understood by 
USAID and affirmed by the recipient that the recipient 
has adopted a code of conduct for the protection of 
beneficiaries of assistance from sexual exploitation and 
abuse in humanitarian relief operations.  Such code of 
conduct must be consistent with the United Nations Inter- 
Agency Standing Committee (IASC) task force on protection 
from sexual exploitation and abuse in humanitarian 
crises, which includes the following core principles: 
 
--  sexual exploitation and abuse by humanitarian workers 
constitute acts of gross misconduct and are therefore 
grounds for termination of employment; 
 
--  sexual activity with children (persons under the age 
of 18) is prohibited regardless of the age of majority or 
age of consent locally.  Mistaken belief in the age of a 
child is not a defense; 
 
--  exchange of money, employment, goods, or services for 
sex, including sexual favors or other forms of 
humiliating, degrading, or exploitative behavior is 
prohibited.  This includes exchange of assistance that is 
due to beneficiaries; 
 
--  sexual relationships between humanitarian workers and 
beneficiaries are strongly discouraged, since they are 
based on inherently unequal power dynamics.  Such 
relationships undermine the credibility and integrity of 
humanitarian aid work; 
 
--  where a humanitarian worker develops concerns or 
suspicions regarding sexual abuse or exploitation by a 
fellow worker, whether in the same humanitarian aid 
agency or not, s/he must report such concerns via 
established agency reporting mechanisms; and 
 
--  humanitarian workers are obliged to create and 
maintain an environment which prevents sexual 
exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of 
their code of conduct.  Managers at all levels have 
particular responsibilities to support and develop 
systems which maintain this environment." 
 
------------------------------------- 
USAID/OFDA Sector-Specific Assistance 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶14.  USAID/OFDA seeks to apply a "protection mindset" to 
its planning, assessments, strategies, monitoring, and 
evaluation of assistance programs.  At a minimum, the 
goal is to ensure that assistance programs "do no harm." 
In some situations, well designed and implemented 
assistance programs can mitigate or prevent such 
protection problems as violence, abuse, theft, 
harassment, discrimination, or exploitation of vulnerable 
individuals.  USAID/OFDA-funded protection initiatives 
should be adapted to the context of the disaster and 
incorporated within USAID/OFDA's main response sectors. 
USAID/OFDA may provide assistance, in addition to 
performing or supporting assessments, in but not limited 
to the following sectors: 
 
¶A.  Shelter:  USAID/OFDA can provide emergency shelter 
supplies or support the local purchase of shelter 
materials, if needed.  When and where possible (and 
subject to "buy America" requirements), USAID/OFDA 
promotes the use of local materials and labor, which 
often results in locally acceptable emergency shelter 
solutions and needed employment generation.  In addition, 
USAID/OFDA promotes shelter solutions that mitigate the 
effects of such natural hazards as earthquakes or floods. 
USAID/OFDA shelter responses might include support of 
host/guest family arrangements, provision of materials to 
support minimal repairs to damaged/destroyed housing, or 
support of transitional solutions that link relief and 
reconstruction, thereby "jump-starting" the longer-term 
process of incremental shelter development.  Because 
USAID/OFDA does not encourage the establishment of tent 
camps for public-health, environmental, social, and 
economic reasons, tents will be provided only in rare 
circumstances, and primarily as part of non-camp shelter 
responses. 
 
¶B.  Water:  USAID/OFDA recognizes the critical role water 
quality and quantity play in the health and survival of 
affected populations.  USAID/OFDA may fund such 
activities as the provision of potable water through well 
and spring development, water treatment (at point of 
source and point of use), well rehabilitation, rainwater 
collection, extension of existing water systems, and 
support to community operation and maintenance 
organizations.  USAID/OFDA can also provide 10-liter 
collapsible water containers, large-capacity water 
bladders, and portable water purification units.  Hygiene 
education in relation to the prevention of waterborne 
diseases is also supported. 
 
¶C.  Sanitation and hygiene:  USAID/OFDA recognizes the 
importance of addressing sanitation and hygiene issues 
during an emergency.  To that effect, USAID/OFDA may fund 
activities related to the provision of sanitation 
facilities and the promotion of sound hygiene practices 
in conjunction with water supply interventions. 
USAID/OFDA can fund such activities as latrine 
construction, solid waste management, and hygiene 
promotion. 
 
¶D.  Health:  USAID/OFDA generally provides funding for 
primary health programs that address treatment, as well 
as health promotion and disease prevention of acute 
disease conditions.  These interventions can include 
immunization campaigns and the restarting of routine 
vaccination programs, treatment and surveillance of 
communicable diseases, oral rehydration therapy (ORT), 
training of health care workers, and emergency obstetric 
care.  Medical supplies and essential drugs needed to 
support the emergency health programs will be funded if 
they come from USAID-approved sources.  USAID/OFDA also 
funds the rehabilitation of clinics damaged by 
emergencies but will generally not fund the 
reconstruction of hospitals. 
 
¶E.  Nutrition:  USAID/OFDA funds emergency nutrition 
programs, including supplementary feeding programs (SFP) 
and community-based therapeutic care (CTC), in order to 
address acute malnutrition, measured by weight for 
height.  USAID/OFDA also supports the international or 
local purchase, as appropriate, of nutritional products 
needed in the treatment of severely malnourished 
populations.  Furthermore, USAID/OFDA will support 
nutritional surveys and surveillance programs and the 
training of health staff in the management of 
malnutrition. 
 
¶F.  Food:  The USG's food donation programs are 
administered by USAID's Office of Food for Peace 
(USAID/FFP) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS).  Information 
about these programs is available at 
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_as sistance/ffp 
/ and http://www.fas.usda.gov/.  USAID/OFDA normally does 
not provide direct emergency food aid.  However, in 
situations where there is no USAID/FFP food aid in the 
pipeline and the situation is dire, USAID/OFDA may 
provide funds to posts to purchase emergency food 
supplies locally, subject to "buy America" requirements, 
and/or fund emergency internal purchase programs for a 
limited duration until other sources are identified. 
Additionally, consistent with the current food security 
initiative, USAID/OFDA uses IDA funds for the local 
purchase of food in emergencies.  USAID/OFDA may also 
purchase blended foods for supplementary or therapeutic 
feeding programs. 
 
¶G.  Agriculture and livestock:  USAID/OFDA can support 
the distribution of seeds and tools to subsistence 
farmers through a variety of mechanisms, depending on the 
type of disaster.  Seed programs should be tailored to 
the situation.  For example, seed fair and voucher 
programs may be most appropriate when market access is an 
issue, while lack of available seed may be addressed 
through programs that directly distribute procured seed 
to farmers.  USAID/OFDA may also consider funding 
emergency destocking, animal health programs, or feeding 
of livestock in prolonged drought situations, but will 
not fund animal restocking as an emergency response. 
 
¶H.  Economic recovery:  Both natural and human-caused 
disasters can severely disrupt the economic and 
livelihood systems in the affected area, by damaging or 
destroying one or more of the systems' parts, including 
productive assets, local skills and capacities, transport 
and markets, social networks, and information 
dissemination and sharing.  The third leg of USAID/OFDA's 
mandate is to help mitigate the economic impact of 
disasters.  There are many types of activities that can 
bolster or kick-start local economies and repair 
livelihoods.  Such initiatives should be undertaken based 
on a comprehensive understanding of the pre-disaster 
local economic structure and function, be highly 
participatory, rely on local skills and capacities, and 
minimize damage to the natural environment. 
 
¶I.  Other:  USAID/OFDA can support a wide range of 
humanitarian activities, including technical assistance 
support for donor coordination units; urban search-and- 
rescue efforts; projects that support livelihoods; 
chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and 
explosive (CBRNE) assessment and response, depending on 
the scope of the disaster; and food monitoring and 
surveillance.  USAID/OFDA encourages missions to promote 
donor coordination and host government coordination 
groups where none exist.  USAID/OFDA will co-finance 
emergency programs with other donors when needed. 
 
¶J.  Other (continued):  USAID/OFDA recognizes the 
importance of identifying and addressing the needs of 
populations most at risk.  Most vulnerable populations 
can include women, children, older people, disabled 
people, people living with HIV/AIDS, and displaced 
people.  Depending on the particular context, a person's 
ethnic origin, religion, or other distinguishing 
characteristic may increase his/her vulnerability to 
potentially dangerous circumstances.  When and where 
possible, USAID/OFDA should identify the nature and 
characteristics of the most vulnerable populations; 
determine their needs and capacities; limit the harmful 
mechanisms in which these groups are forced to engage; 
include populations most at risk in important decision- 
making processes, thus empowering these groups in support 
of their own protection; and help avoid programming and 
implementation aspects that may aggravate the situation 
on the ground, thus increasing the population's 
vulnerabilities and risks.  These actions should, of 
course, be undertaken without discriminating against 
other populations also vulnerable to potentially 
dangerous circumstances. 
 
-------------- 
Accountability 
-------------- 
 
¶15.  Disaster assistance is subject to the same audit 
oversight as other forms of aid.  Grant recipients and 
contractors are accountable for funds, supplies, 
materials, and equipment in accordance with the terms of 
their grants and contracts.  International disaster 
assistance legislation contains a "notwithstanding"clause 
enabling goods and services to be procured outside the 
standard USG and USAID procedures during emergencies.  As 
a matter of policy, the clear preference is for USAID to 
follow standard procurement procedures, to the maximum 
extent possible, for routine disaster procurement.  It is 
acknowledged, however, that the interests of competition 
are secondary and must give way to the overriding 
objective of providing humanitarian assistance on a 
timely basis.  Posts should, nevertheless, verify that 
contractors and grantees are responsible and that goods 
and services are reasonably priced.  USAID missions in 
recipient countries are responsible for monitoring 
grantee and contractor programs, including disaster funds 
disbursement and accounting.  Any questions regarding the 
"notwithstanding" clause can be directed to the USAID 
assistant general counsel/DCHA or the regional legal 
advisor. 
 
------------------ 
Donations Guidance 
------------------ 
 
¶16.  USAID has developed a donations message based on 
years of experience by the international humanitarian 
community in dealing with the public's response to 
overseas disasters.  Members of the public often respond 
to disasters by spontaneously collecting commodities or 
offering untrained volunteer services, both of which can 
seriously hamper relief efforts.  Past experience has 
also demonstrated that public statements from USG 
officials concerning humanitarian aid are often 
misinterpreted as general pleas for any type of 
assistance, including commodities and volunteers.  The 
message below is therefore designed to inform the public 
about the most effective and appropriate ways they can 
support humanitarian activities.  The U.S. embassy or 
USAID mission can assist with these efforts by 
recommending the use of this message in any public 
statements: 
 
¶A.  The most effective way the American public can assist 
relief efforts is by making cash contributions to 
humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief 
operations.  Information on identifying humanitarian 
organizations that are accepting cash donations is 
available from the Center for International Disaster 
Information (CIDI) - http://www.cidi.org or 703-276-1914 
- and is also available at http://www.interaction.org. 
 
¶B.  It is a common misperception among the public that 
all types of assistance are needed immediately following 
a disaster.  This misperception often leads to 
spontaneous collections of unsolicited commodities and 
offers of volunteer services, which can impede relief 
efforts.  Therefore, the USG encourages those who wish to 
help to make a cash donation to the humanitarian 
organization of their choice.  Cash donations allow 
disaster relief professionals to procure the exact 
commodities needed (often locally in the affected 
county); reduce the burden on resources that tend to be 
scarce in disaster settings (such as transportation 
routes, staff time, and warehouse space); transfer money 
quickly without transportation costs (which often 
outweigh the value of the donated commodities); support 
the economy of the disaster-stricken region; and ensure 
culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate 
assistance. 
 
¶17.  The Denton Amendment (Section 402, Title 10 USC) 
authorizes the Secretary of Defense to transport 
privately donated humanitarian assistance supplies on a 
space-available basis.  In general, such transportation 
occurs during the recovery and reconstruction phase, 
rather than during the relief phase.  USAID generally 
does not view space-available military transportation of 
privately donated goods as an appropriate means of 
disaster response during the initial phase of a disaster, 
since the long list of reviews and administrative actions 
required for each request precludes the rapid shipment of 
supplies.  Additional information about the Denton 
program can be accessed at the following website: 
http://dentonfunded.ohasis.org/. 
 
¶18.  For questions on donations issues, contact Nazik 
Salih, USAID/OFDA, at 202-712-0972 or Suzanne Brooks, 
CIDI, at 703-243-8900, ext. 22.  Please do not release 
these phone numbers.  Contact information for 
dissemination to the general public is included in 
paragraph 16A. 
 
--------------------------- 
USAID/OFDA Regional Offices 
--------------------------- 
 
¶19.  USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors:  USAID/OFDA maintains 
regional offices in several locations worldwide to assist 
in responding to disasters and to develop risk management 
strategies.  USAID/OFDA/Washington strongly advises 
posts, especially MDROs, to maintain regular 
communication with the USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors. 
Regional Advisors are available to visit posts and 
perform emergency disaster assessments upon request. 
USAID/OFDA Regional Advisors should be the first point of 
contact if a USAID/OFDA regional office exists in the 
region.  The following six sub-paragraphs identify the 
location and contact information for the various 
USAID/OFDA regional offices and sub-offices. 
 
¶A.  East and Central Africa:  Mr. Jack Myer is 
USAID/OFDA's Principal Regional Advisor for East and 
Central Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.  Additional Regional 
Advisors for East and Central Africa are Mr. Alan Dwyer 
and Ms. Georgianna Platt.  USAID/OFDA's East and Central 
Africa regional office can be reached at 254-20-862-2000. 
 
¶B.  Southern Africa:  Mr. Harlan Hale is USAID/OFDA's 
Principal Regional Advisor for Southern Africa in 
Pretoria, South Africa.  USAID/OFDA's Southern Africa 
regional office can be reached at 27-12-452-2000.  An 
additional Regional Advisor for Southern Africa is Ms. 
Janice Wessel, based in Harare, Zimbabwe, along with Mr. 
Mark Adams, Humanitarian Program Specialist.  They can be 
reached at 263-4-250-992 and 263-4-250-993, respectively. 
 
¶C.  West and North Africa:  Ms. Regina Davis is 
USAID/OFDA's Principal Regional Advisor for West Africa 
in Dakar, Senegal.  An additional Regional Advisor for 
West Africa is Ms. Stefanie Sobol.  USAID/OFDA's West 
Africa regional office can be reached at 221-33-869-6164. 
 
¶D.  Asia and the Pacific:  Mr. William Berger is 
USAID/OFDA's Asia and Pacific Acting Principal Regional 
Advisor in Bangkok, Thailand.  USAID/OFDA's Asia and 
Pacific regional office in Bangkok can be reached at 66- 
2-263-7461. 
 
¶E.  Latin America and the Caribbean:  Mr. Tim Callaghan 
is USAID/OFDA's Principal Regional Advisor for Latin 
America and the Caribbean (LAC) in San Jose, Costa Rica. 
Other LAC Regional Advisors are Mr. Rene Carrillo, Mr. 
Phil Gelman, Ms. Julie Leonard, and Mr. Sidney Velado. 
USAID/OFDA's LAC regional office can be reached at 506- 
2296-3554 or at 506-2290-4133. 
 
¶F.  Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia:  Mr. Rob 
Andrew is the Regional Advisor for Europe, the Middle 
East, and Central Asia (EMCA) in Washington, DC.  Mr. 
Andrew can be reached at 202-712-4419.  The EMCA regional 
office will open in Budapest, Hungary, before the end of 
the calendar year. 
 
------------------------------ 
USAID/OFDA Washington Contacts 
------------------------------ 
 
¶20.  All requests for funds, situation reports, and other 
information should be directed to the following Regional 
Coordinators at USAID/OFDA/Washington:  Ms. Kasey 
Channell:  202-712-4167 (East and Central Africa);  Ms. 
Lynn Marie Thomas:  202-712-1015 (Sudan and Southern, 
West, and North Africa);  Mr. Rob Thayer:  202-712-1257 
(Asia and the Pacific/Latin America and the Caribbean); 
and Mr. Rob Andrew:  202-712-4419 (Europe, the Middle 
East, and Central Asia).  If the Regional Coordinator is 
not available, an alternative contact is Ms. Anne 
Convery, USAID/OFDA's Disaster Response Team leader.  Ms. 
Convery can be contacted at 202-712-4029.  Contact 
information is regularly updated on USAID/OFDA's website, 
http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_as sistance/dis 
aster_assistance/directory/index.html.  The name and contact 
information of the appropriate Regional Coordinator or 
other designated team member will be included in 
USAID/OFDA's cable response to the disaster declaration. 
Missions/embassies also may call USAID/OFDA at 202-712- 
0400 during daytime hours (0800-1700 hours local time) in 
Washington, DC.  After business hours, evenings, 
weekends, and holidays, the USAID/OFDA duty officer may 
be contacted by phone at 301-675-5953 or by email via 
BlackBerry at OFDAdutyofficer@usaid.gov.  Alternatively, 
the USAID/OFDA duty officer may be reached by calling the 
State Department's operations center at 202-647-1512. 
USAID/OFDA's fax numbers are 202-216-3706/3191. 
 
¶21.  Minimize considered. 
RICE