US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO82

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 COLOMBO 000082 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE ALSO PASS TO USAID 
STATE FOR TSUNAMI TASK FORCE 1 
USAID/W FOR A/AID ANDREW NATSIOS, JBRAUSE 
USEU BRUSSELS FOR USEC 
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 
NSC FOR MELINE 
CDR USPACOM FO J3/J4/POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: CASC, EAID, AEMR, PREL, PGOV, CE, MV, Maldives, Tsunami 
SUBJECT: SRI LANKA - EARTHQUAKE AND TSUNAMIS: 
USAID/DART SITREP #5 
 
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SUMMARY 
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1.  As of January 10, according to the Center for 
National Operations (CNO), the earthquake and tsunamis 
had killed 30,725 people in Sri Lanka.  The 
USAID/Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) 
conducted an assessment trip in Galle and concluded 
that water supply is not a critical need, but 
sanitation remains an issue.  The USAID/DART is 
coordinating a prospective temporary shelter program 
with non-governmental organizations (NGOs).  According 
to the USAID/DART, NGOs and the Government of Sri 
Lanka (GOSL) continue to be extremely interested in 
using U.S. Military air assets to transport relief 
supplies, and the USAID/DART continues to act as a 
liaison in this area.  To emphasize the importance of 
psycho-social issues in tsunami relief efforts, the 
USAID/DART hosted a meeting with the international 
relief community, NGOs, and Sri Lankan Government 
agencies to ensure coordination in this area.  USAID's 
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) will 
provide USD 10,000,000 in immediate disaster relief 
funding to implement a community-focused, micro-credit 
scheme that will immediately help families, 
communities, cooperatives, and small businesses 
rebuild in the aftermath of the earthquake and 
tsunamis.  End summary. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
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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 10 at 1700 hours local 
time, the earthquake and tsunamis had killed 30,725 
people, injured 15,122 residents, displaced 491,008 
persons, completely damaged 88,506 houses, and 
partially damaged 28,854 houses.  Currently there are 
5,903 persons missing.  According to the CNO, there 
are 523 camps housing displaced persons. 
 
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USAID/DART Visit to Galle - January 8 
-------------------------------------- 
 
3.  On January 8, five Los Angeles County Emergency 
Team USAID/DART members traveled to Galle District in 
southern Sri Lanka to meet with the U.S. Marine 
Logistical Regiment 2 (MLR2) regarding structural 
assessments in the region. The assessment team met 
with the U.S. Military in Hikkaduwa near Galle and was 
advised that the MLR2 was currently involved in rubble 
removal in Galle and Matara districts, but had not 
conducted assessments of damaged structures in the 
area.  During the team's visit to Galle, they observed 
sewer and drainage systems being cleared in 
Balapitiya, roads and bridges being repaired in 
Ambalangoda, and buildings being stripped of damaged 
materials and new walls being constructed in Kosgoda. 
In the community of Beruwala, where the majority of 
the fishing fleet was grounded and/or destroyed, the 
team observed cranes moving boats from beaches and 
placing them on flatbed trucks for transport.  In 
general, the team observed community rebuilding in 
virtually every community and village on the route 
from Galle to Colombo. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
USAID/DART Assessment Trip to Galle - January 9 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
4.  On January 9, the USAID/DART Water and Sanitation 
Officer (WSO), USAID/DART Information Officer (IO), 
USAID/DART Legislative and Public Affairs Officer 
(LPAO), and USAID/DART Administrative Assistant 
traveled to Galle in southern Sri Lanka via U.S. 
Military transport to assess the damage caused by the 
earthquake and tsunamis and visit camps operated by 
USAID/OFDA implementing partners. 
 
5.  While in Galle, the USAID/DART WSO and USAID/DART 
IO met with a Galle District Secretary/Government 
Agent (DS) and U.N. Development Program (UNDP) 
representative to discuss the water and sanitation 
situation in Galle.  The DS advised that water was not 
a problem in Galle, and the Government of Austria had 
provided water purifying plants.  The DS reported that 
the number of camps in Galle is now down to 100 from 
an initial 182 camps, and there are now 28,000 people 
in the camps.  The DS stated that most schools will 
restart during the week of January 10, and those 
internally displaced persons (IDPs) that are located 
in schools are being moved to other locations.  The DS 
noted that the Galle local government had received 
1,000 tents from Colombo that will serve as shelter 
for those people who must be relocated from camps that 
are in schools.  The DS said that the Galle local 
government is trying to establish temporary camps in 
public buildings or abandoned school buildings, and 
displaced persons will be provided with dry rations 
and kitchen utensils until they can be provided with 
permanent housing. 
 
6.  The DS noted that at the present, sanitation is 
not a major problem, but a permanent solution will be 
necessary in the near future.  The GOSL is providing 
one set of latrines (one male, one female) for every 
25 people in camps.  The GOSL is also building 
latrines and has already started construction with the 
assistance of the Indian Army. 
 
7.  According to the DS, in general, the main problem 
in Galle is resettling IDPs, and trying to restore 
basic services.  The Galle local government is 
currently conducting a survey of residents in Galle to 
identify the most important needs.  In addition, in 
conjunction with the Urban Development Authority, the 
Galle local government is attempting to plan urban 
areas for the future. 
 
8.  According to the DS, the GOSL has decided not to 
construct any buildings within 100 meters of the 
coast.  In lowland areas, buildings will have to be at 
least one meter above sea level.  According to the DS, 
since land is limited, the GOSL prefers that any new 
buildings be at least three stories high. 
 
9.  Based upon the USAID/WSO's observations in Galle 
and through discussions with various local 
authorities, water supply is not a critical need. 
However, sanitation is still an issue, and human waste 
and solid waste removal are a concern.  The USAID/DART 
will continue to focus upon sanitation and the 
rehabilitation of existing solid waste systems, 
construction of new solid waste systems, and pumping 
of sewage facilities.  The USAID/DART will continue to 
find implementing partners to work in these areas, and 
if possible combine relief activities in this sector 
with cash-for-work. 
 
--------------------------------------------- - 
USAID/DART Visit to Sri Lankan Red Cross Camps 
--------------------------------------------- - 
 
10.  On January 9, the USAID/DART WSO and USAID/DART 
IO visited the Sri Pushparama Malwenna Temple near 
Hikkaduwa north of Galle.  The Malwenna Temple is 
currently serving as an IDP camp, and 187 families are 
registered at the camp.  Many registered IDPs live 
outside the camp but receive assistance from the camp. 
The USAID/DART members visited the camp just following 
a distribution of USAID/OFDA emergency relief supplies 
and was advised by an American Red Cross (ARC) 
representative that each of the 187 families received 
two water containers and one hygiene kit (USAID/OFDA 
emergency relief supplies) as well as two blankets and 
one kitchen set (both items provided by the Dutch Red 
Cross), which will serve a family of five.  This was a 
one-time distribution of relief supplies.  The ARC 
representative also stated the IDPs were requesting tents. 
 
11.  During this visit, the USAID/DART WSO examined 
the water and sanitation situation at the camp.  There 
were 250 people residing at the camps, but only two 
out of four available latrines were usable.  [Note. 
According to International Sphere Minimum Standards, 
there should be 13 latrines for 250 people.  End 
Note.]  Water was available at two water points, and 
the USAID/DART WSO tested the water and reported that 
it was adequately chlorinated. 
 
12.  The USAID/DART WSO and USAID/DART IO also visited 
a camp at Kovilagodella Temple in Mahamodera, Galle. 
The camp initially housed 110 families, but now only 
38 families remain.  The Sri Lankan Red Cross (SRC), 
in conjunction with the Water Board, is providing 
water to the camp. A camp manager noted that cooked 
food is provided to the families that reside at the 
camp, and dry rations are provided to those who come 
to the camp for relief assistance. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
USAID/DART Coordination with the U.S. Military and 
NGOs 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
 
13.  Between January 9 and 10, a USAID/DART Military 
Liaison Officer (MLO) coordinated helicopter transport 
with the U.S. Military for U.S. Senators and 
Congressmen as well as the transport of relief 
supplies for Adventist Development and Relief Agency 
International (ADRA), Mercy Corps, and the U.N. World 
Health Organization (WHO).  According to the 
USAID/DART MLO, to date, the U.S. Military, via HH-60 
Blackhawk helicopter, has transported 17 metric tons 
(MT) of emergency relief supplies. 
 
14.  According to the USAID/DART, NGOs and the GOSL 
continue to be extremely interested in using U.S. 
Military air assets to transport relief supplies, and 
the USAID/DART continues to coordinate effectively 
with NGOs, the GOSL, and the U.S. Military in this 
area.  According to the USAID/DART, currently, there 
is a lull in air transport needs, but in the next few 
days this will change. USAID/OFDA expects to transport 
1,000 rolls of plastic sheeting, and the GOSL is 
planning to move many of the supplies donated from 
around the world. 
 
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Protection 
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15.  On January 9 the USAID/DART, in conjunction with 
USAID/Colombo, hosted a meeting of international and 
national relief organizations and GOSL authorities to 
address general principles and practicalities of 
integrating a psycho-social focus into tsunami relief 
efforts.  The meeting was attended by more than 20 
NGOs and governmental agencies, including 
representatives from the Ministry of Health (MOH), 
National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), and the 
Psycho-social desk of the CNO. 
 
16.  During the meeting two presentations were made: 
the first presentation was an overview of the 
psychological impact of the tsunami, and presenters 
described the emotions of grief, hopelessness, 
frustration and confusion that tsunami victims may be 
feeling.  The presentation considered psycho-social 
program elements that humanitarian agencies are 
encouraged to incorporate in their ongoing relief 
operations.  The second presentation was focused upon 
the trafficking of persons and children, which is a 
potential risk to disaster victims, who are living in 
communities where normal systems of protection may 
have been weakened or disrupted. 
 
17.  During a discussion period, many agencies spoke 
about ongoing coordination efforts among agencies 
previously working in the psycho-social sphere related 
to the civil war in Sri Lanka.  The Psycho-social 
Forum, a consortium of agencies working in the field, 
stated that four working groups (for psycho-social 
well-being, mental health, protection and violence, 
and needs assessment) have been established and are 
open for participation and networking.  Save the 
Children-United Kingdom (SC-UK) stated that they have 
been working in coordination with the U.N. Children's 
Fund (UNICEF) and the NCPA to compile a registration 
list of all orphaned children in disaster affected 
zones.  At present, the list is approximately 50 
percent complete. 
 
18.  Representatives of the Psycho-social Desk at the 
CNO reported that they have established a desk for the 
coordination of psycho-social efforts in the ongoing 
disaster response.  Compiled resources and links are 
available to all agencies via the CNO website.  A 
representative of the MOH stated that GOSL mental 
health workers from around the county have been 
dispatched to damage-affected areas to support their 
colleagues in providing mental health coordination and 
assistance to victims.  The NCPA informed the meeting 
participants about existing training modules and 
manuals they have developed to facilitate training for 
agencies working in fields of child protection and 
anti-trafficking. 
 
19.  At the conclusion of the meeting, USAID 
representatives restated to agencies that they were 
not creating a secondary coordinating structure in 
this area of activity.  Instead, USAID hoped to 
highlight these critical issues for humanitarian 
organizations to ensure that links are established 
between the international relief community, Sri Lankan 
governmental agencies, and NGOs that specialize in 
these areas of work. 
 
-------------------------- 
Shelter 
-------------------------- 
 
20.  On January 10, the USAID/DART met with NGOs to 
coordinate various aspects of the prospective 
temporary shelter program. This was the first of what 
will become a weekly coordination meeting.  The group 
agreed that USAID-funded NGOs will agree on model size 
with some flexibility for shelter dimensions, 
materials, and flooring.  Common procurement was also 
discussed, and a decision will be forthcoming. 
Coordination on shelter items will prevent disparities 
in the provision of shelter items and will facilitate 
logistical support. 
 
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Health 
------------------- 
 
21.  From January 8 to 9, a member of the USAID/OFDA 
DART, who is a physician with the Los Angeles County 
Emergency Team, traveled to Jaffna in northwestern Sri 
Lanka with the Medical Civil Action Program (MEDCAP) 
reconnaissance team from the U.S. Embassy's Defense 
Attach's Office.  The team visited Point Pedro at the 
most northern tip of Sri Lanka.  According to the 
USAID/DART officer, 30 of 31 camps in Jaffna are 
located in Point Pedro, and as of January 5, 2,650 
individuals have died.  The number of IDPs has 
decreased to 9,600 as of January 9 from 14,764 on 
January 2.  The total resident population is 36,000. 
As of January 2, there were 125 latrines, 103 
permanent and 22 temporary, in the camps.  As of 
January 5, there were four cases of fever and four 
cases of chickenpox in the camps. 
 
22.  According to the USAID/DART officer, the Point 
Pedro Base Hospital is a 264 bed hospital with minimal 
staffing.  The hospital is functioning, but it has 
been impacted by the large number of IDP camps located 
in close proximity to the hospital. 
 
23.  The USAID/DART officer also visited Jaffna 
Teaching Hospital, a 1,000 bed regional teaching 
hospital and referral center.  The USAID/DART officer 
noted that the hospital is quote extremely busy end 
quote and cannot refuse patients, so at any given time 
there may be up to 1,500 patients quote sleeping under 
the beds end quote.  The USAID/DART officer noted that 
the MEDCAP team will probably be based at this 
hospital. 
 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
USAID/OFDA Programs:  Reviving and Upgrading Economic 
Livelihoods in Tsunami-Impacted Areas of Sri Lanka 
--------------------------------------------- --------- 
24.  USAID/OFDA will provide USD 10,000,000 in 
immediate disaster relief funding to implement a 
dynamic, community-focused, micro-credit/stimulus 
scheme that will immediately help families, 
communities, cooperatives, and small businesses 
rebuild in the aftermath of the earthquake and 
tsunamis.  The objective is to quickly stimulate 
 
SIPDIS 
economic growth and community restoration, thereby 
accelerating the recovery.  The scheme will use a 
strategic approach to initially introduce cash-for- 
work (three months), followed by micro-finance and 
targeted financing for small and medium businesses. 
Community participation and ownership will be a 
hallmark of this approach, through the use of 13 
experienced Sri Lankan financial NGOs who are already 
active in the affected areas. 
 
25.  The project will focus on 30,000 families who 
lost their livelihoods, working collaboratively with 
village cooperative societies and networks.  Areas of 
emphasis will include: the fishing industry, small 
coastal retailers, small to medium businesses that are 
labor intensive, women's cooperatives, and small 
support services for the tourist industry.  This 
approach should help to foster a foundation for 
longer-term sustainable development.  This approach 
will not only complement other ongoing relief 
activities, (e.g. shelter development, cash-for-work, 
etc.), but it will also provide an entry point for a 
longer-term, strategic USAID mission response. 
 
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USAID/DART Staffing 
--------------------- 
 
26.  As of January 11, there are 17 members of the 
USAID/DART in Sri Lanka, including two Foreign Service 
Nationals from USAID/Kathmandu.  Of the 17 USAID/DART 
members, one individual is in Galle and another team 
member is in Male, Maldives. 
 
LUNSTEAD