US embassy cable - 05ATHENS2898

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ATHENS 002898 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID, PHUM, PK, PREL, GR 
SUBJECT: RESPONSE TO DEMARCHE ON GREEK ASSISTANCE TO 
PAKISTAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF AND REHABILITATION 
 
REF: A. STATE 200915 
 
     B. ATHENS 2770 
     C. STATE 195483 
 
1.  (U) Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on Greek 
Assistance to Pakistan earthquake relief and rehabilitation 
on November 3, 2005 to Deputy Foreign Minister Evripidis 
Stylianidis. 
 
2. (U) Mr. Stylianidis replied in a letter dated November 4, 
2005.  Text of letter: 
 
Dear Mr. Ambassador, 
 
Thank you for your letter dated 3 November 2005 referring to 
the international response to the victims of the earthquake 
in Pakistan.  My country fully sympathizes with the afflicted 
population of Pakistan and shares the view of the United 
States that additional assistance will be needed to provide 
adequate relief. 
 
Regarding Greece's contribution so far, both the Greek 
authorities as well as many individuals were swiftly 
mobilized after the devastating event and offered material 
aid and assistance. 
 
In particular, following a decision by the Greek Minister of 
Foreign Affairs and within 48 hours after the earthquake, the 
"Hellenic Aid" (International Development Cooperation 
Department of the Greek MFA) dispatched to Pakistan a 
25-people SAR (Search and Rescue) Team, including doctors and 
paramedic personnel. 
 
A Greek military C-130 aircraft left for Islamabad on 12 
October, transporting humanitarian aid collected by Greek 
authorities and various Greeks NGOs.  Ten tons of material 
aid (namely shelters, tents, blankets, towels as well as 
pharmaceuticals, especially antibiotics and anti-typhoid's 
and surgical equipment) and aid in services: experts on 
disaster crisis management, doctors (surgeons, 
anaesthesiologists, pathologist, and orthopaedic), nurses and 
paramedics boarded the aircraft and remained in the field 
trying to alleviate the suffering of the victims. 
 
A further cargo of approximately 20 tons of humanitarian aid 
has also been sent by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs 
to Pakistan for distribution in the disaster area, especially 
in the Muzaffarabat, Rawalakot and Mansehra regions. 
 
The estimated value of the humanitarian aid already conveyed 
amounts to 817,342 Euros, while the Greek people and NGOs are 
further collecting aid in cash and kind to be forwarded to 
the afflicted populations.  Several Greek NGOs (Greek Red 
Cross, Doctors of the World-Greek section, "Solidarity" NGO 
of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Athens, Pharmacists of 
the World) are also offering medical and material assistance 
on the ground. 
 
Greece has also made available the services of one Greek 
C-130 military aircraft to the Euro-Atlantic Disaster 
Coordination Centre (EADRCC), as contribution to NATO's 
airlift capabilities for the transportation of International 
Humanitarian Aid.  As of October 19, this aircraft provides 
transportation of international Aid to Pakistan. 
 
Regarding the UN appeal for a coordinated response of the 
international community for the rehabilitation and 
reconstruction in afflicted areas, Greece announced at the 
Ministerial Level Meeting in Geneva on 26 October a further 
allocation of 1 million Euros (1,000,000.00) to programs of 
rehabilitation and reconstruction in Pakistan.  Half of this 
sum will be disbursed through international Organizations of 
the UN system, whereas the other half will be channelled 
through Greek NGOs and other legal entities. 
 
As to the sum of Euros 500,000.00 to be disbursed through 
international Organizations of the UN system, Greece has 
requested that it be used by the UN Office for the 
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), as follows: 
 
1.  The amount of 200,000.000 Euros for the UNDP Program 
SAEQ-05/S/NF7: 
"Support to spontaneous and seismically resilient shelter 
rehabilitation", 
2.  The amount of 150,000.00 Euros for the ILO Program 
SAEQ-05/P/HR/RL06 
"Preventing children from entering into hazardous work and 
from trafficking", 
3.  The amount of 75,000,00.00 Euros for the IOM Program 
SAEQ-05/H11 
"Medical evacuation of seriously injured", 
4.  The amount of 75,000.00 Euros for the WFP Program EMOP 
10491.0 
"Food support to most severely affected population" 
 
As stated above, my country fully shares the view of the US 
that the international response so far, lags behind the 
actual needs of the people of Pakistan affected by the 
earthquake.  In this respect, my country is looking forward 
to participating in the next donor conference due to take 
place on or around the 19th of November and intends to 
provide a further contribution to the call for assistance. 
Evripidis Stylianidis 
End text of letter. 
3.  (U) Embassy will report any further response. 
RIES