O 291910Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY MONROVIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0738
AMEMBASSY DAKAR IMMEDIATE 
INFO NSC WASHDC
CDC ATLANTA GA
USEU BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY CONAKRY 
AMEMBASSY FREETOWN 
AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN 
AMEMBASSY ACCRA 
AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT 
AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA 
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 
AMEMBASSY LONDON 
AMEMBASSY PARIS 
USMISSION UN ROME
USMISSION GENEVA 
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 
SECDEF WASHDC//SOLIC/PKHA//
SECDEF WASHDC//USDP/J3//
JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3/J4/J5//
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE//J3/J5//

UNCLAS MONROVIA 000093 
 
 
DAKAR FOR OFDA/WARO DAVIS 
ACCRA FOR USAID/WARP 
GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH 
CONAKRY FOR POL AND USAID 
FREETOWN FOR POL AND USAID 
NAIROBI FOR OFDA/EARO 
EUCOM FOR POLA/J3/J4/J5 
BRUSSELS FOR USAID PLERNER 
USUN FOR TMALY 
 
DEPT FOR PRM, AF/W, IO 
NSC FOR TSHORTLEY 
USAID FOR USAID/A, AFR/AA, AFR/WA, AFR/SD, MAHARVEY 
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA GGOTTLIEB, CPRATT, CPRATT, ACONVERY, AFERRARA, 
MBRENNAN, MLUTZ 
USAID FOR DCHA/AA, DCHA/FFP, DCHA/OTI, DCHA/CMM 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: EAID PREL WFP PHUM LI
 
SUBJECT: LIBERIA:  DISASTER DECLARATION ON MOTH AND CATERPILLAR 
INFESTATION IN LIBERIA 
 
REF: MONROVIA 81 
 
 
¶1.  This is an action request. Please See para 14. 
 
¶2.  Summary:  This is a disaster declaration cable to request 
assistance from OFDA for immediate humanitarian relief related to 
the impact on water supply, sanitation, health and livelihoods 
related to widespread infestation of crops by caterpillar moths 
(presumed to be African army worm) in Liberia. Reports confirm 
infestation of the caterpillar worm (CW) in Lofa and Gbarpolu 
counties, but initial details suggest a much smaller infestation 
that did not result in reports of major impact, nor has there been a 
notable response to date.  However, one cannot foresee the movements 
of CWs.  Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) has been in constant 
communication with OFDA/WA office.  This cable and Ambassador's 
disaster declaration conform to consensus view on an appropriate 
emergency responses.  An update on the infestation and response to 
date is provided below, and a description of the proposed use of 
$50,000 in immediate humanitarian relief is provided.  This action 
cable requests OFDA assistance be provided in the amount of $50,000. 
End summary. 
 
¶3.  O/a January 14, the first reports from Bong County reached 
Monrovia concerning "army worms" or caterpillar worms (CW) had 
infested and deposited larvae over crops, trees, shrubs and some 
households, severely affecting at least five districts in central 
and northern Liberia. The MOA, in collaboration with the UN FAO, 
dispatched a team of experts January 21 to hand spray affected areas 
in an effort at containment. As the GOL and NGOs struggle to fight 
the infestation and contain the spread, the MOA enlisted FAO 
assistance in trying to have a specimen examined in Ghana to 
determine the genus and species of the pest. No results yet have 
been reported. 
 
¶4.  Since the reported infestation, GOL authorities have held a 
series of daily emergency meetings, attended by UN agencies (FAO, 
UNICEF, UNMIL, UNDP, WHO, etc.), bilateral donors, NGOs to provide 
updates on the response.  Local media began reporting on the 
infestation and related damage, which include infested food stocks 
and cash crops (kola, cocoa, banana, orange), contaminated water 
supply, reluctance of villagers to brave massive caterpillar 
infestations to attend to their fields, and reports of at least some 
residents (only thirteen or so houses confirmed) leaving their 
houses, at least temporary. 
 
¶5.  Primary sources of information on the infestation and its impact 
include the MOA daily meetings, the site visit undertaken by the 
MDRO and USAID Ag and Economic Growth team Jan 26-27, and 
communication with NGOs and the County coordinators for agriculture 
(at CARI in Gbarnga) and water and sanitation (Phebe Hospital) 
located in Gbarnga. Presentations at the HAC (Humanitarian Action 
Committee) bi-weekly meeting held today at UNDP offices provided a 
timely update from over 25 cooperating agencies. 
 
¶6.  By far, Bong County is the most affected.  Some 86 
towns/villages in four counties affecting 100-200,000 people are in 
areas of CW infestation. Lofa and Gbarpolu reported minor areas 
infested, and most of the areas are now reported clear.  Neighboring 
Guinea also reported infestations, and concerns have been raised 
over the possibility of a wider infestation with major long-term 
effects on water and food supplies and agricultural livelihoods. 
Attempts by Liberian authorities to contact and collaborate with 
Guinean authorities were not successful and flatly turned down.  The 
major characteristics of the CW invasion can be summarized as 
follows: 
 
a) Swarms of moths arrive and infest the leaves and branches of 
Dahome (preferred) or other tree/bush; the moths are usually a 
neutral color and often go unrecognized; they then lay their eggs 
(larvae) at higher levels of the canopy, which descend by web-like 
threads and end up as hungry caterpillars devouring leafs and 
greens. 
 
b) After several days of voracious eating, the caterpillars become 
pupae and rest on the ground or in low-lying plants. They mature and 
become moths, flying away to a new area (some research suggest that 
it can be hundreds of kilometers away) and start over. The entire 
cycle lasts about two weeks. 
 
c) Some infestations of caterpillars (coming down from the trees or 
bushes) are so dense that they completely cover huts and obscure 
foot paths; in these heavily infested areas, villagers are reluctant 
to travel to their fields (which need brushing at this time of 
year), or to walk into the bush to defecate, creating a sanitary 
hazard; the caterpillar droppings (feces) are contaminating ground 
water and forcing villagers to rely on ground water supplies, e.g., 
covered boreholes and handpumps. These deep water sources are not 
affected by the CW invasion, but many of them (24/44) in one recent 
survey from Zota district) are not functioning. 
 
d) The after-effects are the leafless vegetation, primarily Dahome 
trees, but also kola, cocoa, banana, and orange trees; black patches 
of CW feces covering ground and open water areas, and the few 
unlucky huts covered with empty pupae. The pests have destroyed some 
cash crops, but had little to very little effect on existing food 
sources. 
 
e) Long-term effects are unknown.  However, increased food 
insecurity and major losses to future crops are a concern.  Also, 
the heavy contamination of ground water by larvae feces and from 
spraying would also be of concern.  The major issue is will this 
wave of pests be followed, at some unknown time, by an even larger 
and more massive infestation with potentially major impact on 
agriculture production and food supply of the population. 
 
¶7.  Action Response.  ECOWAS, the UN agencies, including UNMIL, FAO, 
UNICEF, WHO and others are contributing resources and expert 
assistance to the county teams (agriculture, health covering water 
and sanitation) and several NGOs have teams active in affected 
districts. In consultation with these partners, and especially the 
MOA and MOHSW, a request for OFDA assistance for immediate 
humanitarian relief and assistance with a long-term, capacity 
building plan are moving forward. 
 
¶8.  The U.S. Mission MDRO and agricultural/economic team of USAID 
are in constant touch with GOL officers and donors to monitor 
developments and track responses.  So far, the major response has 
been limited to providing 50 hand pumps and parts (UNICEF) to repair 
and maintain deep groundwater supplies where possible, efforts to 
identify the pest and undertake spraying and protective measures 
(FAO and Ministry of Agriculture) and reconnaissance visits to the 
areas by NGOs and GOL officials from various ministries. It should 
be noted that while some 50 hand pumps or spare pump parts were 
provided, funds for transport (fuel) and food or daily rates for 
work teams to undertake repair efforts are lacking. Spray teams are 
in the area, currently 5 teams composed of 5 people with a proposal 
from the Ministry of Agriculture to field 8 teams if sprayers and 
protective equipment can be mobilized. The Mission DRO and USAID 
agricultural and Economic Growth team visited the coordinating 
centers in Gbarnga and several affected sites between January 26 and 
27, 2009. 
 
¶9. Following a Minister of Agriculture statement and request for 
international partner and donor assistance on January 20, President 
Sirleaf Johnson declared a "national disaster" on January 26, 2009. 
Reports vary but the infestation has affected some 82 (or up to 103 
by some accounts) communities in three counties (Bong, Lofa and 
Gbarpolu) since it began. 
 
¶10.  Pursuant to section 062, volume 2 of the Foreign Affairs Manual 
and USAID ADS 251, the Ambassador has determined that a disaster 
exists in Liberia and certifies that the following conditions exist: 
between January 9 and today an infestation of caterpillar worms have 
affected at least 83 communities/towns affecting more than 100,000 
people and have deleterious affected water supply, threatens food 
security, and 
 
a)  The proposed relief is focused on providing relief to affected 
communities and families that lack access to potable water, 
improving the government-led ability to track and respond to 
infestations.  The proposed USG relief would be through two grants, 
one to CRS and the other to JSI Research and Training Institute. 
 
b) According to the national disaster declaration by the President, 
appeals from the Minister of Agriculture, and reports submitted to 
the Humanitarian Action Committee by informants, the disaster is of 
a magnitude beyond government's capacity to respond. The Ministry of 
Health and social welfare has provided 10 environmental officers 
from Monrovia and $250,000 of its own funds for the field 
operations, ECOWAS, UNICEF and others are assisting relief in some 
communities on water and sanitation.  However, the GOL has not 
effectively responded to the plight of the roughly 15 communities 
with 15 to 25,000 persons lacking water or other necessities 
(shelter, seeds for planting, etc.). 
 
c) Financial assistance is desired by the GOL and supported by the 
HAC (Humanitarian Assistance Committee - led by the UN) and by GOL 
officials (Agriculture, Public Works, Health) to assist the victims 
with operational funds for the field teams to investigate reported 
infestations, educate the communities on how to respond, 
identification of needs and gaps, and to ensure people remain calm 
and informed.  Mostly non-food items are to be purchased: fuel for 
operating teams, chlorine, jerry cans and, cement, bricks, and pump 
parts, mosquito nets (useful to keep out pests and prevent malaria), 
spray protective gear (including knapsack or motorized sprayers, 
gloves, masks, coveralls, boots, soap, etc.), and finally, 
motorcycles for the tracking and assessment teams. The Government 
welcomes donor assistance in control of and relief from the impact 
of the pest infestation. 
 
¶11.  Analysis of assistance from external and internal sources 
reveals that: a) UNICEF has provided some pump parts and funding for 
borehole renovation, chlorine and jerry cans that will cover 1-2 
districts; b) MOHSW is supporting teams to promote sanitation and 
conduct hygiene education, and the ECOWAS, Ministry of Agriculture 
are supporting the spray teams and efforts to identify the pest and 
devise strategies for control. 
 
¶12.  Gaps remaining include: spray gear and protective equipment, 
support for tracking and mapping the movement of the pest and affect 
of various interventions (burning, spraying, etc.), and water and 
sanitation. 
 
¶13.  Providing such assistance is in the interest of the U.S. 
Government because of humanitarian concerns and the importance of 
demonstrating that Liberia's closest friends stand ready to help. 
There is extremely limited GOL capacity to respond to any immediate 
disaster as the police force remains largely a force in training, 
GOL funds are minimal and slow to disburse, and the JFK and other 
GOL hospitals rely largely on donor and NGO support for drugs, as 
well as salary payments and incentives. The Liberian government 
representatives have indicated that they would like to mobilize 
resources to temporarily relocate the victims while working on a 
long term relocation of the communities involved. 
 
¶14.  In light of these conditions, the U.S. Ambassador declares that 
the infestation of CWs in Liberia constitutes a disaster and 
requests 50,000 USD from USAID/OFDA.  USAID/Liberia anticipates 
issuing two grants:  one to Catholic Relief services, and one to JSI 
Research and Training Institute to implement an emergency response. 
 
 
THOMAS-GREENFIELD