US embassy cable - 05KATHMANDU2183

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002183 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
 
USAID/W FOR DCHA/OFDA FROM THE AMBASSADOR 
 
STATE FOR SA/INS AND DS/IP/NEA 
 
USAID FOR ANE/AA 
 
BANGKOK FOR USAID/OFDA - TDOLAN 
 
GENEVA FOR DHA AND IFRC 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, NP, Maoist Insurgency 
SUBJECT: CONTINUATION OF DISASTER DECLARATION - NEPAL 
(COMPLEX EMERGENCY) 
 
REF:  A) 04 KATHMANDU 2036 B)03 KATHMANDU 2018 C) 02 
KATHMANDU 2248 D) 02 KATHMANDU 703 
 
1. Summary:  On April 9, 2002, Ambassador Malinowski 
declared a disaster in Nepal due to the growing number of 
casualties and displaced persons from an eight-year old 
Maoist Insurrection.  The disaster declaration was 
extended in 2004.  Since then, Nepal has seen a 
continuation and worsening of the violence, with virtually 
every district of the country affected directly or 
indirectly.  I have determined that the complex emergency 
continues to exist in Nepal, and hereby extend the 
disaster declaration (see paragraph 4 below).  End 
Summary. 
 
2. Current situation:  Since the beginning of hostilities, 
over 12,000 people have died in Nepal.  There are still no 
reliable estimates of the number of internally displaced 
people (IDP), but evidence from several districts shows 
clearly that this number has grown significantly over the 
past year.  Most IDPs have relocated to district centers 
and urban areas within Nepal, but a large number of 
Nepalese have also migrated to India.  In addition, 
millions of Nepalese throughout the country are severely 
affected by the conflict as normal transportation and 
trade links are disrupted; communities are called on to 
host IDPs; vital communications, transport and power 
infrastructure are destroyed; jobs continue to be lost and 
incomes reduced by the severe decline in tourism and 
exports; Maoists force school closures, abduct children 
and teachers, and extort the local populace and 
businesses; and basic Government services are disrupted by 
the widespread destruction of local and central Government 
offices, health clinics and agricultural centers, and the 
dislocation of civil servants. 
 
3. The possibility of the conflict escalating and leading 
to large displacements remains high, and emergency relief 
assistance from the international community may be needed 
in an expeditious manner.  The U.S. Embassy and the donor 
community continue to monitor the situation closely. 
UNDP, at the USG's urging, has initiated efforts to 
develop a Humanitarian Assistance Information System to 
collect information on key indicators to identify needs 
and document responses.  His Majesty's Government of Nepal 
(HMGN) will likely require outside help to manage any 
large expansion in the number of displaced people, and is 
willing to accept U.S. assistance to meet immediate relief 
needs as well as to support recovery and resolution of the 
conflict. 
 
4. As such, I hereby declare that an emergency situation 
continues to exist in Nepal, and that it is in the 
interest of the USG to continue to respond to the crisis 
and be prepared for further humanitarian assistance as 
required.  Although I will not exercise my authority to 
request disaster assistance funds at this time, emergency 
assistance may be required in the near future to assist 
HMGN in dealing with the food, shelter, health, and other 
relief and recovery needs of the displaced and populations 
at risk. 
 
5. I hereby declare that this disaster declaration cable 
has been approved as of October 4, 2005. 
 
MORIARTY