US embassy cable - 05SANTODOMINGO1778

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 001778 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARMENT FOR USAID/BHR/OFDA - 
SAN JOSE FOR OFDA TIM CALLAGHAN, SENIOR REGIONAL COORD 
 
PLEASE PASS TO WHA/CAR FOR KAREN JO MCISAAC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AMGT, EAID, DR, SENV, PGOV, SOCI 
SUBJECT:  DISASTER DECLARATION FOR DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 
 
 
1. THE AMBASSADOR HAS DETERMINED THAT DAMAGE CAUSED TO 
GROUND COVER AS A RESULT OF WILD FIRES THAT AFFECTED THE 
CENTRAL MOUNTAIN RANGE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, IS OF 
SUFFICIENT MAGNITUDE TO WARRANT USG ASSISTANCE.  THE CHIEF 
OF MISSION IS THEREFORE EXERCISING THE DISASTER ASSISTANCE 
AUTHORITY, AS PER 2 FAM 061-062. 
 
2. REPORTING FROM LEADERSHIP OUR SENSE FROM TELEVISION, 
LOCAL NEWS REPORTS AND ON-THE-GROUND REPORTS FROM PARTNERS 
IN THE AREA IS THAT A DECLARATION OF DISASTER IS FULLY 
JUSTIFIED. 
 
3. INTENSIVE DROUGHT ON THE ISLAND HAS REDUCED THE 
AVAILABILITY OF WATER FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION AND IRRIGATION 
AND CAUSED EXTENSIVE WILD FIRES IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE 
COUNTRY. APPROXIMATELY 100,000 TAREAS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED TO 
DATE BY THE FOREST FIRES.  THE DETERIORATION OF GROUND COVER 
HAS ALREADY CREATED SOIL EROSION AND HAS INCREASED 
SEDIMENTATION OF DAM RESERVOIRS AND WATER SYSTEM INTAKES. 
THIS SITUATION WILL WORSEN AS SOON AS THE RAINY SEASON 
STARTS. HILLSIDE PLANTING OF COFFEE AND OTHER BASIC CROPS 
HAS ALSO BEEN AFFECTED, BECAUSE OF THE WILD FIRES. IT IS 
APPARENT THAT ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE FINANCIAL RESOURCES WILL BE 
REQUIRED IMMEDIATELY FOR THE PREVENTION OF SOIL EROSION AND 
FURTHER DETERIORATION OF THOSE AREAS BURNED BY THE RECENT 
FIRES. 
 
4. THE AMBASSADOR IS CONFIDENT THAT THE CURRENT SITUATION IS 
BEYOND THE ABILITY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO RESPOND 
EFFECTIVELY AND THAT IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE USG TO 
PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.  WE HAVE RECEIVED A FORMAL REQUEST FOR 
ASSISTANCE FROM THE SECRETARY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS. THE 
SECRETARY OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES HAS INDICATED 
 
SIPDIS 
THAT IT WILL ACCEPT USG EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR AFFECTED 
AREAS. 
 
  5. USAID WILL UTILIZE A $50,000 GRANT TO RESTORE GROUND 
COVER, AND TO PROVIDE EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING TO COMMUNITY 
FIRE FIGHTERS. 
 
6. ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR FOLLOW-ON SUPPORT ARE NOT FORSEEN 
AND THE EMBASSY UNDERSTANDS THAT ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE 
BEYOND THE DAA AMOUNT REQUESTED MUST BE SPECIFICALLY 
APPROVED BY OFDA.  EMBASSY WILL KEEP OFDA INFORMED AS TO ANY 
POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL REQUESTS WHICH MAY BE FORTHCOMING. 
 
7. HOST COUNTRY AGENCIES INVOLVED IN RELIEF OPERATIONS 
INCLUDE THE SECRETARIAT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND THEIR 
REGIONAL PERSONNEL, IN THE AFFECTED AREAS. 
 
8. USAID IS CONTACTING OTHER DONOR PARTNERS TO COORDINATE A 
RESPONSE TO THIS DISASTER. 
 
9. U.S. CITIZENS HAVE NOT BEEN AFFECTED TO OUR KNOWLEDGE. 
 
10. THE U.S. EMBASSY IS NOT REQUESTING ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE 
AT THIS POINT PENDING FURTHER ASSESSMENT OF THE SITUATION. 
 
11. EMBASSY WILL ADVICE AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BECOMES 
AVAILABLE.    HERTELL