VZCZCXRO0770
OO RUEHAO RUEHCD RUEHHO RUEHNG RUEHRD RUEHRS
DE RUEHBO #0105/01 0282147
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 282146Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2380
INFO WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
RHEHAAA/NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BOGOTA 000105 
 
SIPDIS 
1TFK@STATE.GOV, WHA/CAR FOR V DE PIRRO AND IO/UNP FOR B NARANJO AND M GARUCKIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID PGOV ECON PREL MARR KPAO CO HA
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA CONTINUES ROBUST RELIEF EFFORTS IN HAITI 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary. Colombian military and civilian sectors continue 
in high gear supporting relief efforts in Haiti.  Colombia has 
flown 14 flights transporting 294 personnel, 21 dogs and 224,509 
pounds of supplies to Haiti. Colombian medical personnel have 
performed more than 2,150 procedures near the earthquake zone. The 
Navy ship Cartagena continues to unload supplies in Haiti and the 
Buenaventura will set sail within the next few days with 400 tons 
of supplies. In addition to US$1.25 million raised by the Colombian 
Red Cross, more than 50 companies are conducting donation 
campaigns. End Summary. 
 
 
 
Colombia Air Relief 
 
-------------------- 
 
 
 
¶2.  (SBU) The Colombian military, police, the National System of 
Disaster Prevention and Assistance, and the Red Cross have teamed 
up together to send a total of 14 flights to date with 294 
personnel including military, police, firefighters, doctors, 
nurses, and Red Cross. Colombian medical personnel in Haiti have 
performed 2,150 procedures to date. The flights have also included 
21 dogs and 224,509 pounds of humanitarian relief supplies. 
 
 
 
¶3.  (SBU) A U.S. C-17 departed Bogota for Haiti on January 27 with 
78,000 pounds of Colombian-donated humanitarian goods.  Another 
C-17 may be available for a similar flight on February 1, and a 
C-130 will depart for Haiti on January 30. The C-130 flight will 
carry five pallets of supplies bound for Haiti and one pallet of 
USG-provided firefighting equipment to support GOC efforts to 
combat ongoing forest fires. This pallet will be delivered to the 
Palanquero DCA base on the way to Haiti. The Ambassador is planning 
a press event around that flight on 
 
January 30 with several high-level GOC officials to promote 
USG-Colombia cooperation on Haiti relief assistance as well as USG 
support to combat Colombian forest fires. 
 
 
 
Relief Supplies By Sea 
 
----------------------- 
 
 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Colombian Navy ship "ARC Buenaventura" continues to 
be loaded with supplies and will set sail within the next few days. 
Its 400 ton cargo capacity includes 15,000 gallons of water donated 
by the aqueduct company Hidropacifico S.A.  Colombian Navy 
logistics ship "ARC Cartagena de Indias," is still off-loading 
supplies in Haiti. These include: 41,000 lbs of perishable goods, 
18,700 lbs of bottled water, and a total of 61,600 lbs of 
humanitarian goods. 
 
 
 
Widespread Private Sector Campaigns 
 
------------------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶5.  (U) More than 50 Colombian companies have announced relief 
activities, from fundraising drives to offers to reconstruct a 
neighborhood in Haiti, much of which will be coordinated through 
the Red Cross. Food manufacturer Alpina and retailer Carrefour have 
committed to donate hundreds of metric tons of supplies.  The bank 
BBVA Colombia will donate US$10,000, and Bridgestone's Colombian 
branches collected US$75,000 in donations. Employees of Harinera 
del Valle, Nacional de Chocolates, Bancolombia, and other companies 
donated a full day's salary to the cause. The Colombian staff of 
USAID contractor ARD collected US$7,000, purchased supplies in 
Santo Domingo, and delivered them to Haiti. 
 
 
 
¶6.  (U) Telecommunications company Telmex publicized a tollfree 
number for its customers to register a donation, which can be added 
to their monthly phone bill. Other telecom companies like EPM and 
 
BOGOTA 00000105  002 OF 002 
 
 
UNE are donating services and supplies. 
 
 
 
¶7.  (U) Argos cement company, which has a plant in Haiti, sent 400 
medical kits and supplies to its employees there. The company is 
lending its dock in Haiti for the unloading of international relief 
supplies. The Colombian firm offered its boats and docks in 
Cartagena to the Red Cross and private relief efforts. The 
Colombian Red Cross reports that within the next few days the 
company plans to send one of its boats carrying 860 tons of Red 
Cross supplies. The Colombian National System of Disaster 
Prevention and Assistance, the Colombian Navy, Argos, the Red Cross 
and Red Crescent will distribute these supplies in earthquake 
affected areas. 
 
 
 
Positive Media Coverage 
 
------------------------ 
 
 
 
¶8.  (U) Post continues to closely follow the Colombian media 
coverage of the U.S. role in the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake. 
Reporting on U.S. disaster and humanitarian assistance continues to 
be very positive. The very few negative editorial comments have 
been insignificant and, in these cases, post has actively sought to 
clarify the intention of the authors and has promptly provided 
guidance and relevant,  informative materials on USG assistance. 
BROWNFIELD