O 131240Z MAY 09
FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2703
AMEMBASSY KATHMANDU IMMEDIATE 
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK IMMEDIATE 
AMCONSUL KARACHI IMMEDIATE 
AMCONSUL LAHORE IMMEDIATE 
AMCONSUL PESHAWAR IMMEDIATE 
CDR USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS ISLAMABAD 001031 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PK PINR PREL PTER
 
SUBJECT: DISASTER DECLARATION CABLE FOR INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS 
IN NORTHWEST FRONTIER PROVINCE 
 
¶1. (U) Summary:  This is an action request.  In response to the 
large magnitude of populations displaced due to security operations 
by the Government of Pakistan (GOP)against militants in the 
Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Northwest Frontier 
Province (NWFP), I, the Ambassador, have determined that a disaster 
exists and request emergency assistance funds to assist the GOP and 
the international community in dealing with relief and recovery 
needs of the displaced and populations at risk (See paragraph 4 
below).  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (U) Current Situation:  In October 2008, Ambassador Patterson 
issued an extension of the August 19, 2008 Disaster Declaration 
Cable for populations displaced by fighting in the tribal areas of 
Bajaur Agency and Mohamand Agency of FATA.  Since then, Pakistan has 
seen a continuation and worsening of the violence, with virtually 
every province of the country affected directly or indirectly. 
Recent military operations in Lower Dir, Buner and Swat districts 
have resulted in a new influx of Internally Displaced Persons(IDPs), 
and the UN now estimates that there may soon be 1.5 million 
displaced in NWFP.  As of May 12, 2009 the United Nations High 
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) had registered 591,064 newly 
arrived IDPs from those three districts.  48,554 of them have been 
accommodated in new camps in Mardan, Charsadda and Swabi districts. 
The vast majority are living with family, friends or host families. 
These three districts were already host to IDPs displaced from last 
year's fighting in Swat district and Bajaur Agency, and the 
saturation point for hosting more displaced persons has been met. 
Not only is assistance required for the newly arrived IDPs, it is 
also required for the 556,000 previously registered IDPs and the 
host communities. While assessments by the GOP, NGOs, UN agencies, 
and international organizations indicate food, shelter, clean water 
and sanitation as priority needs for IDPs residing in camps and with 
host communities, additional requirements will develop as security 
operations continue. 
 
¶3. (U) In the next few months, the increasing military operations by 
the GOP against militants will lead to larger population 
displacements. Further emergency relief assistance from the 
international community is necessary immediately as existing 
resources are insufficient to respond to the needs of the increasing 
number of vulnerable people.   U.S. Embassy personnel from all 
agencies are meeting daily to monitor the situation and coordinate 
USG assistance. The GOP will require considerable outside help to 
deal with the large increase in displaced persons and has already 
accepted our assistance to meet immediate and longer term needs of 
IDPs. 
 
¶4. (U) As such, I hereby declare an emergency situation of 
sufficient magnitude to warrant continued USG assistance in 
Pakistan, and that it is in the interest of the USG to continue to 
respond to the crisis and be prepared for further and expanded 
humanitarian assistance, as required. The Mission is not requesting 
immediate emergency assistance funds from OFDA as OFDA is already 
assessing needs and responding well beyond the statutory amount. 
However, the Mission will require substantial USG funding over the 
next few weeks to assist the GOP and the international community in 
dealing with the massive relief and recovery needs of the displaced 
and populations at risk. 
 
PATTERSON