US embassy cable - 05COLOMBO697

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 COLOMBO 000697 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV, PREL, PTER, EAID, CE, Maldives, Tsunami 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR'S VISIT TO TSUNAMI-HIT ATOLL IN MALDIVES 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Ambassador visited badly-damaged atoll in 
south Maldives.  Temporary shelter for those who lost houses 
is well-planned, with community involvement.  Most residents 
of severely-affected islands are willing to relocate to 
larger island.  Maldives officials insist no one will be 
forced to move.  Reconstruction plan is thorough and 
detailed.  We believe US assistance will be well-spent.  END 
SUMMARY. 
 
2.  (U) During early-April visit to Maldives to assess 
post-tsunami reconstruction programs, GORM arranged for 
Ambassador to visit Laamu Atoll, about one hundred miles 
south of Male.  Ambassador was escorted on this trip by 
Ministry of Planning Director Mr. Imaad and by Laamu Atoll 
Chief Moosa.  (NOTE:  In the immediate aftermath of the 
tsunami the U.S. military did extensive relief work in Laamu 
 
SIPDIS 
Atoll.) 
 
3. (U) Laamu contains two islands--Mundoo and 
Kalhaidhoo--which suffered severe tsunami damage.  GORM hopes 
to relocate entire population--some 1250 people--of these two 
islands to the atoll capital of Gaamu.  Tour began with visit 
to temporary shelter sites on Gaamu for Mundoo and Kalhaidhoo 
inhabitants.  Shelters were located in two disused garment 
factories and housed 200 persons (Mundoo) and 85 persons 
Kalhaidhoo  In each building, plywood sheets had been used to 
construct private space for each family.  Spaces had doors 
and locks.  Each family unit had a ceiling fan.  Space was 
allocated by size of family.  Bathroom facilities were 
located in each building, and also two washing machines. 
Residents ate in a communal kitchen.  Residents themselves 
prepared meals, cleaned sanitary facilities, etc. on a 
rotating schedule.  Construction and upgrading of shelters 
was being carried out, as far as possible, by residents 
themselves.  Most men were not in camp in mid-morning as they 
had obtained work in Gaamu.  Children were bussed to school 
each day to nearby school.  However, they were kept together 
at school instead of being scattered throughout school 
community. 
 
4. (U) Ambassador was able to interview (through an 
interpreter) several camp inhabitants. All were satisfied 
with services they had received. Asked whether they wished to 
remain in Gaamu in promised new housing or return to their 
home islands, they said they preferred to stay in Gaamu where 
services were better. Inhabitants had received psycho-social 
counseling for two months after the tsunami. (n.b. American 
Red Cross has provided training in this area.) 
 
5.  (U) Ambassador then visited Kalhaidhoo Island.  Island is 
situated on east side of atoll and has long sloping beach, 
which intensified tsunami damage.  During tsunami, island was 
covered with up to 6-7 feet of water, and three people died. 
Property damage was extensive, with many houses completely 
destroyed and large heavy water tanks knocked off their bases 
and carried long distances.  Salt water had killed almost all 
mango, breadfruit and guava trees which residents used for 
income.  Entire population of island was evacuated to Gaamu 
immediately following tsunami.  Those whose houses were 
relatively intact or who could stay with relatives returned 
to await final plans for reconstruction. 
 
6.  (U) Ambassador was able to talk extensively with the 
island's "Women's Committee," who described their horrific 
experiences when tsunami hit.  (Most men were off fishing.) 
An energetic discussion about relocation to Gaamu revealed 
that most if not all wished to relocate if they were given 
suitable houses and sufficient plots of land.   Several 
expressed their anxieties about moving to a new island, but 
concluded that, all in all, the promise of a new house and 
substantially improved services--education, medical, etc.--on 
Gaamu made them willing to move. 
 
7.  (U) Imaad and Moosa explained that the decision to 
completely relocate inhabitants of these two islands was made 
because the islands were low-lying and subject to periodic 
flooding, and because of the extensive tsunami damage.  On 
Kalhaidhoo, for instance, 47 percent of the houses were 
completely destroyed.  GORM officials repeated several times 
that no one would be forced to move; those who wanted to stay 
on their home islands could remain.  Atoll Chief Moosa 
speculated that "20 to 25 people" might want to stay on each 
island. Officials showed detailed reconstruction plans for 
Gaamu (copies being sent to SA/INS), which included housing, 
repair of roads, harbors and jetties, schools, power, water 
and sanitation, etc.  Housing has already been pledged by Red 
Cross.  Entire island will have an "Environmental Protection 
Zone" of 30-40 meters depth from ocean. 
 
8. (SBU) COMMENT:  The trip provided a micro view at the 
atoll/island level of tsunami relief and reconstruction 
efforts in Maldives.  Put simply, it was extremely 
impressive.  Relief effort has provided what is needed in an 
effective fashion, and involvement of affected persons was 
particularly noticeable.  Maldivians we interviewed spoke 
freely and openly to us, and it is apparent that most had 
decided that relocation was their best choice.  GORM 
officials were adamant that no one would be forced to 
relocate.  Reconstruction plan is thorough and detailed. 
Septels will provide macro level reconstruction discussions 
and recommendations on how to move forward on US assistance. 
From this micro snapshot, however, we conclude that US 
assistance through the national fund or some combination of 
mechanisms will be well-used. 
LUNSTEAD