VZCZCXRO8272
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #2155/01 2860840
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 130840Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5421
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHOVQHS/COMSEVENTHFLT  IMMEDIATE
INFO RHHMUNA/USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 2306
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0330
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUEHRO/USMISSION UN ROME IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002155 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
BANGKOK FOR USAID /OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR A. DWYER 
USAID FOR DCHA/OFDA R. THAYER 
USAID W/ FOR ANE/AA AND DCHA/FPP 
GENEVA FOR N. KYLOH 
USUN FOR OFDA REP 
BRUSSELS FOR P. BROWN 
ROME FOR USAID/OHA H. SPANOS 
SECDEF FOR SOLIC 
JOINT STAFF WASHDC FOR J3/J4/J5 
PACOM FOR J3/J4/J5 
NSC FOR P. MARCHAM 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SOCI PREL KPAO SENV EAGR RP
SUBJECT: U.S. MILITARY RELIEF EFFORT ENDS AS FLOODS RECEDE IN 
CENTRAL LUZON 
 
REFTELS:  A) Manila 2149 B) Manila 2140 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary.  Typhoon Pepeng (international name Parma) has 
claimed over 300 lives and forced more than 80,000 into evacuation 
centers across Luzon island, according to the Philippines National 
Disaster Coordinating Council.  The U.S. military repeated its 
highly successful Typhoon Ondoy rescue and relief operation in 
flood-ravaged central Luzon.  U.S. military relief efforts then 
ended October 13, as floodwaters begin to recede and Philippine 
government agencies assumed remaining relief and reconstruction 
responsibilities.  USAID, in conjunction with other international 
relief agencies, continues to provide food, water, and hygiene 
supplies to hundreds of thousands of disaster victims.  Local as 
well as U.S media coverage of the disaster and relief efforts was 
extensive.  End Summary. 
 
--------------------------------------- 
Flood Waters Receding Under Sunny Skies 
--------------------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) Floods and landslides from Typhoon Pepeng (international 
name Parma) have claimed over 300 lives and forced more than 80,000 
into evacuation centers in central and northern Luzon according to 
the Philippines National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC). 
While the rains have stopped and floodwaters have receded in many 
areas, some towns and villages remain under water.  Also, landslides 
have closed the road links to the city of Baguio, and it remains 
inaccessible to large relief vehicles. 
 
---------------------------------- 
U.S. Military to the Rescue, Again 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) The U.S. military repeated its highly successful Typhoon 
Ondoy rescue and relief operation in flood-ravaged central Luzon, 
rescuing survivors, providing medical care, and ferrying desperately 
needed relief supplies to hard-to-reach areas (reftel B).  Working 
together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), 31st Marine 
Expeditionary Unit personnel saw to the medical needs of over 1,500 
flood victims.  C-130 transport aircraft delivered over 5,000 packs 
of relief items, along with large amounts of clothing, and thousands 
of blankets, sleeping pads and water jugs to Tuguegarao city in 
northern Luzon.  Another C-130 flight transported 29,000 pounds of 
relief goods to the remote Batanes islands, bringing back four 
individuals in need of medical care on the return flight.  U.S. 
Marine helicopters airlifted over 3,000 sacks of relief supplies to 
isolated Baguio City, while Marine Civil Engineering units cleared 
roads in stricken areas.  As of Monday October 13 post concurs with 
the recommendation that relief and recovery efforts revert fully to 
the AFP. 
 
-------------------------- 
USAID Assistance Continues 
-------------------------- 
 
¶4. (SBU) USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) 
has committed nearly $4 million in emergency assistance to 
humanitarian organizations working to provide support in the wake of 
Ondoy and Pepeng.  Thus far, OFDA has provided grants to the 
Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC), the American Red Cross, and 
the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with additional 
grants to be awarded this week. 
¶5. (SBU) In addition, USAID/OFDA is making available non-food items 
shipped from its warehouses in Dubai.  The first shipment, which 
arrived on October 2, went to the Philippine National Red Cross 
(PNRC), and was valued at $400,000, which included water containers, 
hygiene kits and tarpaulins.  A second shipment arrived October 13. 
It is valued at $250,000, and includes 20,000 water containers, 
20,000 hygiene kits and 50,000 bars of soap.  IOM will immediately 
 
MANILA 00002155  002 OF 002 
 
 
distribute these items to approximately 20,000 affected families 
(approximately 100,000 people).  Through USAID's Food for Peace 
Program, 720 metric tons of vegetable oil worth $1.2 million will be 
shipped this week for the World Food Program to distribute.  This 
oil, sufficient to meet the cooking needs of some 330,000 people for 
one month, brings the total value of USAID's emergency relief 
contributions to nearly $6 million. 
¶6. (SBU) The on-site OFDA military liaison was able to accompany the 
U.S. military in conducting assessments of the damage caused by 
Typhoon Pepeng in northern and central Luzon over the weekend. 
Relief organizations are reporting an increasing need for water, 
sanitation supplies and non-food items due to increasing reports of 
flood-borne illnesses.  Sir John Holmes, the United Nations 
Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs/Emergency Relief 
Coordinator, is visiting the Philippines and will be meeting with 
Philippine government officials and the donor community on October 
13 to review the current situation, on-going needs and any remaining 
gaps in assistance. 
--------------------------------------------- - 
Consular Section Support for American Citizens 
--------------------------------------------- - 
¶7. (SBU) There are no suspected or confirmed American citizens among 
the casualty lists provided by the NDCC.  The Consular section has 
received welfare and whereabouts inquiries for 16 individuals as a 
result of Typhoon Pepeng/Parma.  Philippine officials in the 
disaster-affected provinces have been extremely cooperative, going 
the extra mile to locate and confirm the safety of Americans in 
their areas. 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
Local and International Coverage of U.S. Assistance 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
¶8. (U) Both Philippine and U.S. media provided steady coverage of 
the U.S. military and non-military relief efforts in central Luzon. 
Virtually all major daily newspapers covered the additional $2 
million in USAID/OFDA emergency humanitarian assistance that the 
Embassy announced on October 9.  From October 10 through today, 
major national dailies and television networks reported U.S. 
military helicopters delivering relief supplies.  U.S. papers, 
including the LA Times, the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the 
New York Times, also carried stories describing the central Luzon 
flooding and U.S. relief efforts. 
 
---------- 
Next Steps 
---------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) As U.S. military units either redeploy to home bases or 
prepare to participate in delayed and truncated Talon Vision/ 
Philippines Bilateral Exercises, they leave behind solid 
humanitarian accomplishments and much good will.  Post is extremely 
grateful for their incredible assistance to the GRP.  USAID 
continues to carry on relief efforts in conjunction with other 
international relief agencies. 
 
Bassett