VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLG #0654 3421525
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 081525Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY LILONGWE
TO RUEHSD/SECSTATE WASHDC 0095
RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0010
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0428

UNCLAS LILONGWE 000654 
 
SIPDIS 
 
OFDA/W FOR CCHAN, ACONVERY, FSHANKS, TDENYSENKO 
DCHA FOR JBROUSE 
PRETORIA for HHALE, PDISKIN 
LONDON FOR AF WATCHER PETER LORD 
DEPT PASS TO MALAWI COLLECTIVE 
DEPT PASS TO MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION WASHDC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV EAID EMIN AF MI
SUBJECT:  DISASTER ALERT: EARTHQUAKE IN NORTHERN MALAWI 
 
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Summary 
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¶1.  December 6, 2009 a 5.8 magnitude (Richter Scale) earthquake 
struck the Northern Region of Malawi, with aftershocks continuing 
through December 8.  No fatalities were reported.  Injured people 
were transported to Mzuzu Hospital, 150 km from the epicenter.  No 
damage has been reported at the nearby Paladin Africa uranium mine, 
where operations are continuing normally.  A team from the 
Government of Malawi, United Nations agencies and the Red Cross are 
in the field assessing the effects of the earthquake.  The field 
report is expected by Friday December 11, 2009.  Post will keep USG 
emergency response agencies abreast of the assessment results and 
evaluate possible USG support to the Government of Malawi.  End 
summary. 
 
---------------------------------- 
Earthquake in Malawi: What We Know 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶2. On Sunday, December 6 at 7:36 p.m., local time there was an 
earthquake in Karonga district, Northern Malawi.  The US Government 
Geological Services (USGS) web page indicated a 5.8 magnitude 
earthquake (Richter scale).  Three aftershocks measuring greater 
than 4.5 magnitude followed within an hour.  Two large aftershocks 
occurred on Monday, December 7, and another of magnitude 5.9 struck 
today at 5:08 am local time. 
 
¶3. On Monday, December 7, the Government of Malawi, Department of 
Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) convened a meeting, chaired by 
Deputy Coordinator-DoDMA Gift Mafuleka (the Director was already in 
the field).  Attending were representatives from Malawi Defence 
Force (MDF), the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the 
World Food Program (WFP), the Red Cross and USAID.  The key points 
from the meeting were: 
 
a. Detailed information on the extent and impact was still being 
gathered by local authorities; 
 
b. There were no fatalities reported.  Some people were injured and 
sent to Mzuzu Hospital (150 km, South of Karonga).  No report on 
number of people affected; 
 
c. One person died in the hospital, but the death was not related to 
the earthquake; 
 
d. Local authorities have asked the population to keep out of 
damaged homes. 
 
------------------------ 
Uranium Mine Operational 
------------------------ 
 
¶4. Karonga is the district in Northern Malawi where Paladin Africa 
has recently begun operations at its Kayelekera uranium mine. 
Managing Director Neville Huxham told post that the situation is 
normal at the mine following the quake.  According to Huxham, the 
general manager at the site reported "we felt the bumps;" after 
which all operations were stopped to allow an evaluation of possible 
damage.  Operations were restarted after the inspection uncovered no 
leaks or faults.  The facility was checked again following this 
morning's aftershock, with no evidence of any damages.  There are no 
reports of damage or injuries at the nearby village of Kayelekera. 
The mine is currently running normally. 
 
--------------------------- 
Further Assessment Underway 
--------------------------- 
 
¶5. On December 8, a DoDMA-led field assessment team departed for the 
Karonga area.  The team included participants from WFP, UNICEF, UNDP 
and the Red Cross Society of Malawi.  The field assessment will take 
place on Wednesday December 9.  The delegation will return to 
Lilongwe on Friday December 11 and report.  Each member team will 
assess field needs, depending on their field of expertise and report 
on number of people affected and related need (food-WFP, 
water/health-UNICEF/UNDP, housing/tents-Red Cross Society of 
Malawi). 
 
¶6.  The U.S. Mission will participate on Friday meeting with DoDMA 
lead field assessment team and report on needs and possible USG 
response. 
 
BODDE