US embassy cable - 05LIMA4820

UNCLAS LIMA 004820 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR ECA/PE/V/M (MBENSON, SROBINSON, JBEARD), INFO 
ECA/PE/V/R/W (EWILKES-SCOTT), WHA/PDA (SLEBENS), 
WHA/AND (JMONSERRATE) 
 
E.O.12958: N/A 
TAGS: KPAO, OEXC, SCUL, PE 
SUBJECT: PROGRAM EVALUATION:  FY-2005 SPECIAL MRP: 
"HUMANITARIAN RESPONSES TO CRISES AND DISASTERS" (July 28- 
August 18, 2005) E/VM-2005-0045 - Ms. Lucy HARMAN 
 
 
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY:  IV Lucy Harman participated 
in subject program to familiarize herself with U.S. 
organizations involved in disaster relief, emergency 
management, and humanitarian assistance.  She learned how U.S. 
society responds to global and local crises and observed the 
many institutions, including voluntary organizations that are 
active in disaster relief. 
 
2. DATE, FISCAL YEAR AND QUARTER: July 28-August 18, 2005, FY- 
2005; Fourth Quarter. 
 
3. MISSION PERFORMANCE PLAN THEME:  Democratic System and 
Practices (Humanitarian responses to crises and disasters.) 
 
4. RESULT/IMPACT: "A great experience, both professionally and 
personally." Upon her return and as a result of her 
participation in subject program, IV Harman has been assigned 
as the person in charge of the recently created "National 
Emergency and Risk Reduction Office" of CARE Peru.  Her 
designation makes her a member of the South American Sub- 
region for Emergencies and Risk Reduction Initiatives in 
Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia, and of the regional initiatives of 
Latin America and the Caribbean - SAMI/CAMI. 
 
5. AUDIENCE REACHED: Sixteen colleagues from different 
countries worldwide; five from Latin America and the 
Caribbean; four from Europe; three from Asia, and four from 
Africa.  Participants intend to maintain contact with many of 
the valuable contacts they made throughout the program and 
with each other. 
 
6. OFFICER ESCORTS: "The four Escorts made our stay a great 
and positive experience."  They were Connie Vasquez, Beverly 
Tyler and Toney Seabolt, as well as Bob Acker, who accompanied 
the IV group to San Diego.  Escorts willingly shared their 
"know-how" of the U.S. system, the facts of the cities 
visited, and gave them tips that facilitated their trip. 
 
7. QUALITY OF SUPPORT FROM ECA: Program was funded with FY-05 
IV allocation.  In Washington, D.C., the group appreciated the 
warm welcome note from PO Margery Benson with detailed 
information on the program.  They also had an administrative 
session with Lauren Manly, and Pina Tenore, from the Agency 
for Educational Development, AED. 
 
At Lima Post, Lucy Harman received all the necessary 
information on time, and was adequately briefed for her trip. 
 
8. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAM: 
-- IV Harman was impressed with the remarkable agenda they 
had, and the first-rate professionals they were able to visit, 
especially the appointment with the Secretary of State in 
Washington, D.C., and with the Amish community in Cleveland. 
-- Home hospitality "was very interesting and fun." 
 
9. LONG-TERM RESULTS:  IV has received a lot of diverse 
information, which will be of great help in her new 
assignment. 
 
10. COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS: 
-- They had a balanced program, though with a lot of work. 
However, there was time for cultural experiences, such as 
concerts, exhibitions, movies, as well as going to the beach 
and the malls. 
-- The program itself had a variety of appointments and visits 
to different USG officers, in different sectors such as the 
national, government, local, and private levels. 
-- To include a formal session among participants for an 
exchange of experiences and discussion. This only occurred as 
an initiative of the participants during their free time, 
without any preparation or involvement of the U.S. officers. 
-- To include appointments with NGO representatives in the U.S 
responsible for emergency/disaster assistance, or with 
representatives of international organizations (CARE, Save the 
Children, and Oxfam).  They had numerous meetings with the Red 
Cross, and fire Departments, but only one scheduled time with 
an NGO, that happened to be from the religious sector. 
 
IV Harman suggests future Digital Video Conferences, or visits 
to Peru of: 
-- Dr. Jeremy Mayer, George Mason University, for a conference 
on the U.S. political system. 
-- Mr. William Lokey, Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA), to learn about his experiences after the Hurricane 
Katrina's devastation. 
 
STRUBLE