US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO51

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 COLOMBO 000051 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
 
STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID 
STATE FOR TSUNAMI TASK FORCE 1 
USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE 
DCHA/OFDA GGOTTLIEB, MMARX, RTHAYER, BDEEMER 
AID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA 
TSUNAMI RESPONSE MANAGEMENT TEAM 
 
SIPDIS 
DCHA/FFP FOR LAUREN LANDIS 
DCHA BUREAU FOR ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR ROGER WINTER 
ANE DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR MARK WARD 
BANGKOK FOR OFDA SENIOR REGIONAL ADVISOR TOM DOLAN 
KATHMANDU FOR OFDA REGIONAL ADVISOR WILLIAM BERGER 
GENEVA FOR USAID KYLOH 
ROME PASS FODAG 
USEU BRUSSELS FOR USEC 
NSC FOR MELINE 
CDR USPACOM FO J3/J4/POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC, EAID, AEMR, PREL, PGOV, Tsunami 
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: 
USAID/DART SITREP #3 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  As of January 7, according to the Center for 
National Operations (CNO), the earthquake and tsunamis 
killed 30,680 people in Sri Lanka.  On January 6, 
Senators Frist and Landrieu, along with the U.S. 
Ambassador and USAID representatives, including the 
USAID/Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance 
(OFDA) Director and USAID/DART leader, conducted a 
successful trip to Galle and Ampara District.  A CNO 
officer will be assigned to each camp housing 
displaced persons to coordinate relief efforts with 
the Sri Lankan military.  The U.N. World Food Program 
(WFP) will provide 62,000 metric tons (MT) of food for 
750,000 beneficiaries between now and June 1.  There 
are no disease outbreaks in Sri Lanka.  The CNO will 
provide figures on the numbers of orphaned children in 
Sri Lanka in the coming days. End summary. 
 
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DEATH TOLLS 
---------------------------- 
 
2.  The CNO, which is responsible for the overall 
coordination of the relief effort in Sri Lanka, 
reports that as of January 7, the earthquake and 
tsunamis killed 30,680 people, injured 16,760 
 
SIPDIS 
residents, displaced 578,224 persons, completely 
damaged 93,054 houses, and partially damaged 21,885 
houses.  Currently there are 4,883 persons missing. 
According to the CNO, there are 611 camps housing 
displaced persons. 
 
------------------------------------- 
Visit of Senators Frist and Landrieu 
------------------------------------- 
 
3.  On January 6, Senators Bill Frist and Mary 
Landrieu, accompanied by the U.S. Ambassador and USAID 
representatives, including the USAID/Colombo Mission 
Director, USAID/OFDA Director, USAID/DART Team Leader, 
USAID/Colombo Health and Humanitarian Activities 
Program Officer (HHPO), and USAID/OFDA External 
Liaison Officer, visited Galle in southern Sri Lanka. 
The USAID/Colombo HHPO traveled to Galle in advance of 
this visit to coordinate activities in preparation for 
the visit and led the group in their tour of the 
affected areas.  The group viewed the damage in Galle 
from the air, and then proceeded to a Sri Lankan Red 
Cross/Red Crescent mobile medical unit, where the 
senators interacted with patients and responders. 
Senator Frist donated approximately 30 quote CamelBak 
end quote backpacks to relief workers to ensure they 
would have fresh water during recovery work. 
 
4.  The group then visited Sarvodaya, a Sri Lankan 
non-governmental organization (NGO), and formally 
presented Pedialyte that was donated by Abbott 
Laboratories and shipped free of charge to Sri Lanka 
by Fed Ex.  Senator Frist noted that this was a 
perfect example of government, the private sector, and 
NGOs working together.  At Sarvodaya, Senator Frist 
also announced that his charitable organization quote 
World of Hope end quote pledged USD 25,000 to 
Sarvodaya for assistance with children. 
 
5.  The group then traveled by helicopter to the 
Ampara District in southeastern Sri Lanka, one of the 
most affected areas of the country.  The group visited 
Kalmunai hospital where they met with medical staff 
and patients.  The group then traveled to a CARE 
distribution center to assist with deliveries of 
clothing and soap. Senator Landrieu expressed concern 
for those children who were orphaned due to the 
earthquake and tsunamis and stressed that orphaned 
children should not be institutionalized. 
 
6.  During this trip the senators viewed firsthand, 
from the air and on the ground, the damage caused by 
the earthquake and tsunamis.  According to the 
USAID/OFDA Director, the senators were extremely 
impressed with the USG combined response and 
complimented the USAID/DART for the quick and 
effective response in the aftermath of the disaster. 
 
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Internally Displaced Persons 
----------------------------- 
 
7.  According to the CNO, a CNO officer will be 
appointed to each camp housing internally displaced 
persons (IDPs) to coordinate assistance with the Sri 
Lankan military.  The CNO officer assigned to the 
camps will report his/her assessments to the CNO IDP 
desk at CNO headquarters in Colombo.  The CNO reported 
that there are currently 611 camps housing displaced 
persons.  The CNO advised that there are between 4,000 
and 5,000 people at larger camps who need health 
support. 
 
8.  The CNO is addressing the issue of legal ownership 
of lands and is determining how to offer assistance to 
displaced persons.  The CNO is considering a start-up 
package that will include basic supplies such as 
phones, cooking utensils, sleeping supplies etc.  This 
package will target those individuals who are able to 
return back to their homes.  Additionally, the CNO is 
in discussions with international organizations to 
obtain family-size tents, and has obtained 4,000 tents 
from international organizations.  However, additional 
tents are needed for those IDPs who have legal land in 
restricted areas.  The CNO has identified land 
required for resettlement and is trying to resettle 
families on lands owned by the Government of Sri Lanka 
(GOSL) in unrestricted areas.  The CNO anticipates 
that it may have to manage large camps for more than 
one month. As a result, the CNO needs large kitchens 
for the larger camps in eastern Sri Lanka that will be 
able to serve three meals a day to 2,000 people. 
 
9.  The CNO reported that it will take four to five 
months to complete permanent structures for IDPs.  In 
the interim, the GOSL hopes to utilize alternative 
methods to relocate IDPs.  The CNO advised that in the 
coming days, the GOSL will announce alternative land 
arrangements for those residents who lived close to 
coastal areas. 
 
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Food 
-------------- 
 
10.  The CNO stated that the Ministry of Relief, 
Reconstruction, and Reconciliation (RRR) and other 
GOSL ministries, in conjunction with WFP, the U.N. 
Children's Fund (UNICEF), and the U.N. High 
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), conducted food 
distributions of rice, sugar, dhal, and wheat flour 
throughout the country, particularly in eastern Sri 
Lanka.  The CNO reported that they are hoping to add 
additional animal protein to the food baskets, since 
currently only vegetable protein is available from the 
dhal.  The CNO is also trying to ensure that there 
will be no shortages of infant milk food.  The CNO is 
currently evaluating food stocks and will coordinate 
distributions with camp managers. 
 
11.  According to a WFP representative in Colombo, WFP 
initially provided food for 15-day ration; however, 
WFP recently obtained approval for a regional response 
and will provide 62,000 MT of food to 750,000 
beneficiaries under a quote light end quote food-for- 
work program.  The cost of the program is USD 35 
million.  WFP will serve 30 percent of beneficiaries 
between now and March, and will serve the remaining 70 
percent of beneficiaries from April 1 to June 30. 
 
-------------------------- 
Water and Sanitation 
--------------------------- 
 
12.  On January 6, the USAID/DART Water and Sanitation 
Officer (WSO) attended a meeting at the CNO where an 
update on water and sanitation activities was 
presented. The CNO reviewed damage sustained by 
distribution systems, main lines, bridge crossings, 
and pump houses in nine districts. 
 
13.  According to the CNO, the immediate needs in IDP 
camps are being met with available resources.  Water 
is being tankered to the camps, and temporary toilets 
are being utilized.  The USAID/DART WSO reported that 
discussions are being held at the ministry level 
regarding the magnitude and amounts of damage caused 
by the earthquake and tsunamis, inventory of available 
external assistance, assistance for urgent 
requirements, and allocation of work based upon needs. 
 
14.  The CNO identified the following immediate needs 
for camps:  100 water storage tanks, 10 water trucks, 
16,000 temporary toilet units, 3,200 urinals, and 
washing facilities.  Needs in affected areas include: 
water trucks until repairs can be completed, well 
cleaning (out of 12,130 wells, an estimated 11,470 
wells must still be cleaned) and repairs to toilets. 
According to the CNO, all urgent repairs to piped 
water systems have been completed.  The USAID/DART is 
working with partners to fund activities, including 
the provision of water and construction of latrines. 
The USAID/DART expects that all funding and equipment 
needs will be met by NGOs and other donors. 
 
15.  The CNO reported that medium and long term needs 
include making improvements to existing water systems, 
new water supply to the permanent settlements, and 
repairs to the remaining toilets that do not need 
immediate repair.  According to the CNO, the estimated 
cost of well cleaning is USD 73,000, and the estimated 
cost for repairs to the pipes is USD 4.7 million.  The 
estimated costs for long-term improvements to the 
water system are USD 250 million, and the estimated 
costs for improvements to the sanitation system are 
USD 4.4 million.  USAID/Colombo will be reviewing 
long-term infrastructure needs as part of their 
strategic plan. 
 
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Health 
------------- 
 
16.  According to the CNO, there have been no disease 
outbreaks in Sri Lanka, and only isolated cases of 
diarrhea. 
 
17.  The CNO reported that the Ministry of Health 
(MOH) has dispatched assessment teams to numerous 
districts, and the results of rapid assessments will 
be available in the next 48 hours.  MOH personnel have 
already determined that there are enough medical 
personnel operating in Sri Lanka, and there is no 
longer a need for additional medical teams; however, 
due to the psycho-social affects of the earthquake and 
tsunamis, there is a need for psychiatrists who are 
 
SIPDIS 
culturally sensitive.  The USAID/DART is exploring 
options for contributing to the psycho-social needs 
response. 
 
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Protection 
---------------- 
 
18.  The CNO's Child Protection section is in the 
process of compiling a profile on the number of 
children who have lost one or more parents.  These 
figures will be available in the coming days.  Through 
the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), the 
CNO is trying to establish foster homes and safe 
shelters.  The GOSL and UNICEF are also distributing 
information leaflets on child protection in the camps. 
The USAID/DART is funding an implementing partner to 
support the unification of infants and children with 
their families and providing child-friendly spaces for 
displaced children. 
 
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Damage to Schools 
------------------- 
 
19.  According to the CNO, there are 9,970 schools in 
Sri Lanka, and the earthquake and tsunamis partially 
or completely destroyed 169 schools.  Currently IDPs 
are occupying 244 schools.  The CNO reported that the 
majority of schools will re-open on January 10.  The 
CNO is investigating alternate schooling facilities 
for those districts where schools are occupied by 
IDPs. 
LUNSTEAD