VZCZCXRO1405
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHNM #0795/01 2780601
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 050601Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY NIAMEY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5362
INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0313
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0212
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 0008
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS 0012
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 NIAMEY 000795 
 
SIPDIS 
AIDAC 
 
DEPT FOR AF/W, AF/RSA, AND AF/PDPA 
PLS PASS USAID AFR/WA FOR NFREEMAN, LDOORES-FENDELL, GBERTOLIN 
OFDA/W FOR ACONVERY, CCHAN, FSHANKS, MSHIRLEY, JMCINTOSH 
FFP/W FOR JBORNS, ASINK, TMCRAE 
ACRA ALSO FOR AFR/WA 
DAKAR FOR RDAVIS 
GENEVA FOR NKYLOH 
ROME FOR US MISSION RNEWBERG, HSPANOS 
BRUSSELS FOR USAID PBROWN 
NEW YORK FOR DMERCADO 
NSC FOR CPRATT 
 
E.O.  12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID EAGR PREL PHUM PGOV NG
SUBJECT:  FY 2010 Renewal of Disaster Declaration for Flooding in 
Niger 
 
REFS:  A) NIAMEY 00669, B) NIAMEY 00791 
 
NIAMEY 00000795  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  SUMMARY.  On September 16, post declared a disaster due to the 
effects of severe flooding on September 2 in the northern city of 
Agadez and surrounding rural areas (ref A).  In response, the USG 
has provided nearly USD 88,000 in emergency assistance to date, 
including USD 50,000 from USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster 
Assistance (USAID/OFDA) and nearly USD 38,000 from USAID's Office of 
Food for Peace (USAID/FFP).  However, potential Government of Niger 
(GoN) action to raze damaged buildings and prohibit reconstruction 
in flood-affected areas of Agadez city could result in further 
displacements, necessitating additional humanitarian assistance in 
the weeks and months to come.  In addition, GoN security 
restrictions in the region outside Agadez city are currently 
impeding provision of emergency assistance to flood-affected 
populations in rural areas.  Accordingly, post re-declares a 
disaster for Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 due to ongoing and potentially 
increased humanitarian needs.  END SUMMARY. 
 
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CURRENT HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS 
------------------------------- 
 
¶2.  On September 16, post declared a disaster due to the effects of 
severe flooding on September 2 in the northern city of Agadez and 
surrounding rural areas (ref A).  The GoN estimates that the floods 
affected approximately 79,000 individuals, including 42,000 people 
in Agadez city and 37,000 people in three nearby rural communes. 
(Note:  Relief agencies believe the GoN's flood-affected figures 
overestimate actual numbers.  End note.)  Current response efforts 
appear to be meeting the immediate basic humanitarian needs of 
flood-affected populations in Agadez city, including the 850 
displaced families sheltering in schools and public buildings.  The 
GoN is currently relocating 731 of these families to new sites. 
During a recent assessment (ref B), USAID/OFDA staff observed GoN 
authorities and relief agencies preparing shelter and water, 
sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities at the new sites 
 
-------------------------------- 
POTENTIAL NEW HUMANITARIAN NEEDS 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶3.  However, many flood-affected populations in Agadez city did not 
choose refuge in schools or public buildings, and chose instead to 
remain in damaged homes, shelter with host families, or erect 
makeshift shelters on the land where their homes previously stood. 
USAID/OFDA staff have recently learned from the U.N. Resident 
Coordinator that the GoN plans to raze flood-affected areas of 
Agadez city and may prohibit any reconstruction in flood-prone 
neighborhoods.  Such actions would likely result in new 
displacements and an increase in humanitarian needs. 
 
¶4.  Outside Agadez city, GoN security restrictions resulting from 
ongoing conflict with Tuareg rebels are currently impeding provision 
of emergency assistance to flood-affected populations in the rural 
communes of Dabaga, Tchirozerine, and Tabelot.  Following an 
assessment in the communes from September 14 - 16, the Food and 
Agriculture Organization of the U.N. (FAO) reported the need for 
restoration of agricultural capacity, particularly since the 
planting season is scheduled to start in early October.  However, to 
date, relief agencies have only been able to provide initial 
emergency food aid to the approximately 37,000 flood-affected people 
in the three rural communes. 
 
-------------------------------- 
USG EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO DATE 
 
NIAMEY 00000795  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  To date, the USG has provided nearly USD 88,000 in emergency 
assistance in response to the floods, including USD 50,000 from 
USAID/OFDA and nearly USD 38,000 from USAID/FFP.  USAID/OFDA 
provided USD 50,000 through post to Mercy Corps International for 
WASH activities benefiting flood-affected populations.  In addition, 
USAID/FFP granted approval to Africare to redirect 28 metric tons of 
USAID/FFP-funded emergency food assistance, valued at nearly USD 
38,000, for flood-affected populations.  Following the recent 
assessment trip to Agadez city, USAID/OFDA staff recommended 
providing modest additional humanitarian assistance and coordinating 
closely with other donors to ensure the maximum impact of any 
additional assistance (ref B). 
 
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RENEWAL OF DISASTER DECLARATION FOR FY 2010 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶6.  Given the scope of ongoing and potentially increased 
humanitarian needs, and pursuant to Section 062, Volume 2, of the 
Foreign Affairs Manual and USAID ADS 251, post hereby renews the 
disaster declaration for floods for FY 2010.  Post finds that it is 
in the best interests of the USG to provide continued assistance in 
response to the disaster and that it is beyond the capacity of the 
host government to provide adequate support to flood-affected and 
displaced people.  In addition, post has determined that the GoN 
will accept additional USG assistance within the context of ongoing 
relief activities coordinated by the GoN.  USAID/OFDA staff will 
continue to assess humanitarian conditions and the potential need 
for additional assistance in the weeks and months to come. 
 
WHITAKER