Friendly neighbours - US quick to respond to Jamaica in time of need

As Jamaica faces the start of another hurricane season, the tight fiscal space the Bruce Golding administration is operating in makes it clear that the Government will have to look overseas for assistance if the island faces any major disaster.

But that would not be new, as administrations over the years have turned to international partners for assistance in times of trouble.

A September 2008 cable from the United States Embassy in Kingston to Washington after the island's brush with Tropical Storm Gustav gives an example of the assistance requested over the years.

(This cable has been edited for libel and length.)

UNCLAS KINGSTON 000762

SUBJECT: JAMAICA: GUSTAV OFDA FUNDING CITATION REQUEST

1. Summary: Action request: This cable requests immediate advice on a funding citations for US$100,000 to be available to support the Government of Jamaica's Office of Disaster Preparedness and non-profit organisations in the emergency-management efforts to assess and respond to damage sustained during Tropical Storm Gustav.

End summary

2. At 12:30 hours on August 28, 2008, Tropical Storm Gustav made landfall in the east of Jamaica. The storm followed a path that carried it along the southern parishes of Jamaica causing substantial damage to infrastructure and flooding to various communities located throughout the island.

Four parishes St Thomas, St Catherine, Portland and St Mary are the worst affected.

Eleven people are reported missing and four people are confirmed dead. Approximately 4,000 persons have been directly affected by the storm, 120 roads are impassable being blocked by debris or are flooded. Sixty-five per cent of the water supply has been affected as a result of turbidity, blockage, flooding or lack of power. Storm wind damage affected almost half the electrical grid in the country.

3. GOJ efforts: Although the Government of Jamaica is hesitant to declare a national disaster, it is willing to accept USG (United States Government) assistance. The Government, through the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), has made an appeal requesting relief supplies to assist in the humanitarian needs of the affected population. ODPEM is actively carrying out damage assessments across the island, and potential post-recovery assistance in rebuilding lost infrastructure will be needed. It should be noted that the agricultural sector has suffered heavy losses and post-recovery support should consider assistance to addressing crop damage and livelihoods.

4. International donor assistance: A UNDP emergency coordination group has met with ODPEM for specific requests of Assistance. Coordinations are being made as to minimise duplication of efforts; more information to follow.

5. Ms Audrey Mullings, the USAID/OFDA disaster risk management specialist consultant, has conducted aerial reconnaissance of the affected area and will provide specific details of damage at a later time.

Mr Sidney Velado, OFDA regional adviser, has arrived to support the mission to develop a humanitarian response to the damage sustained during the tropical storm.

6. Because of the extent of damage as described above, the ambassador has made a determination that the disaster is of sufficient magnitude to merit a disaster declaration and that it is in the best interest of the USG to respond.

In accordance with USAID disaster guidance and post-disaster relief plan, Ambassador (Brenda LaGrange) Johnson requests US$50,000 as per ambassador's authority and an additional contribution of US$50,000 as per USAID/OFDA regional adviser's recommendation.

The funds will be used to provide ODPEM with aerial support and for humanitarian relief supplies to be distributed either through ODPEM or non-profit organisations.

7. There are currently no reports of US citizens' injuries or deaths.

'As a matter of policy, the US government does not comment on the contents of these alleged cables that purport to include classified information.

The US Embassy condemns, in the strongest terms, the deliberate and unauthorised disclosure of information represented as classified materials by individuals and organisations which puts lives at risks and jeopardises our national interests.'

United States Embassy to Gleaner