Related Documents - CREW: Department of State: Regarding International Assistance Offers After Hurricane Katrina: Argentina Assistance

TF US 01SitrepOI0 Page 10f2
UNCLASSIFIED
!.'
e~4(P
Norman, AlaIn G RELEASED IN FULL
From: CMS TaskForce1F fc=US;a= ;p=GOV+DOS;o=Amerlcas101;s=Task Force 1
F;g=User;ou1=AM102;ou2=SS01-101;]
Sent: Wednesday, September 07,20052:44 PM
To: Cook, Nerissa J(Maln State); Norman, Alain G(Main State)
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: TFUS01Sitrep010 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 21 AUG 2006 200503991
From: CMS TaskForce1B-OMS

sent: Wednesday, september 07,2005 10:37 AM
To: POEMS Help Desk
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: TFUS01SItrepOl0
. Please post Sitrep 10 to the Web. It wasn't posted earlier.
thanks, Deretta
~
~'.EXEOCU.TIVESECRETARIAT
perations Center
SITUATION REPORT NUMBER 010

UNITED STATES TASK FORCE
. 0500 EDT Wednesday, September 07, 2005
FOREIGN ASSISTANCE
(U) The USG identified forensic assistance asa top priority. Several foreign governments offered·
forensic assistance, including Germany, Canada, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the
Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Thailand. (l'askForce e-mails, telecons)
(U) The USG accepted assistance from Canada, Israel, Mexico, Argentina, and WHO for health and
human services. The USG also accepted aid from Russia, China, Egypt, Thailand, Spain, and Canada
fOT relief supplies, generators, fuel, and energy expertise. Canada and Mexico also deployed convoys,
including planes, helicopters, ships, trucks, crews, divers, and relief supplies. TRANSCOM will
transport water pumps from the Netherlands and Germany, India and Pakistan offered money and other
reliefsupplies. (l'askFoTce e-mails, telecons)
ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS

(U) DS agents visited all nine consulates located in New Orleans and reported all appear to be in good
condition. (TaskForce e-mai\telecons) .
~ft~~ ~A~Si~l.fI1·f/~~)
91712005
TF US 01 SitrepOI 0 UNCLASSIFIED }>age 2 of2
l~~ 1lll~~l
/'7 I
(U) The numberof foreign nationals reported missing is now 879, reflecting a slight increase due to
updated information from several foreign governments. CA expects that numberto decrease as the lists
are scrubbed and duplicate names are removed. (TaskForce e-mails, telecons)
u.s. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

(U) Office space to houseDepartment and reliefpersonnel was identified in Baton Rouge near FEMA
operatiCinS.7TailiForce e-mails, teleconiJ --- - -------
UNCLASSIFIED
91712005
-I _-
Hurricane Katrina Task Force Page 1 of2
.uNCLASSIFIED
Choi, Martino I '
From: CMS TaskForce1D-DepCoordinator

Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 10:52 PM
To: TaskForce-1
Cc: TaskForce-1
SUbJect: 09 11 2005 (1500-2300)
Hurricane Katrina Task Force

Deputy Director Shift Report
9-11-2005 (1500-2300)
-
ACTION ITEMS
• Ecuador has offered plywood. FEMA is interested, and is asking if there are any
import restrictions, number of sheets and dimensions of plywood offered, and
whether shipping costs are included or if FEMA would have to play to transport
plywood to affected areas. . .
e
• Desk needs to confirm Ambassador Thomas' report that the Dalai Lama
announced Tibet will make or has made a $100,000 donation, for relief efforts.
• Area offices are tasked with compiling lists of donating countries for thank you
".
letters.
• Pending items include

o Have we' received L approval from DoS official to accept donations from
Nigeria and Bangladesh? (check wfTF Director - he forwarded offers to L
for guidance on the check's format)
o We must accept or decline Jordan's offer of forensic experts (OFDA and
HHS and Task Force representative will conference call Monday to discuss
Jordan and additional forensics offers)
o Has AF sent a cable accepting Armenia, Sao Tome and Gabon's offers of
cash?
o Has EUR drafted a cable regarding OFDA decision to reject Russia's offer
of generators to sufficient supplies?
o Has EUR drafted a cable declining offer of a French salvage tug asking that
'\
the already departed tug be recalled?'
o Have we accepted a German offer of cell phone and internet equipment?
o Has SA received further guidance from Ambassador Thomas' staff on cable
declining Pakistan's offer of relief supplies?
o Has WHA drafted a cable putting on hold Argentina's offer of mental health
professionals;
o Has WHA drafted a cable declining Panama and Ecuador's offers of
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE
DAf,J¥9MltdD: 14 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
Hurricane Katrina Task Force Page 2 0£2
UNCLASSIFIED
bananas?
o Are we accepting or declining Canadian ship offer of HMCS Protector?
'.
INFO ITEMS
• CA updated its "Hurricane Katrina Fact Sheet: Foreign Consular Access to New
Orleans" to note several items, including a Diplomatic Security escorted visit by
the Consuls General of Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Japan, Panama,
Spain, and Venezuela to their respective offices in New Orleans September 15.
• Updated guidance from FEMA says to decline all offers of generators as FEMA
has been able to source all generators locally.
• Tentative HHS acceptance offers from Argentina (mental health experts), Canada
(medical supplies), Mexico (mental health experts), and WHO (health officers and
health logisticians.) HHS will conference tomorrow to make final decisions.
• FEMA has agreed to let OFDA accept Sweden's offer of telecommunications
equipment. .
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMAINING SHIFTS

-
In order to increase coordination between task force shifts and to minimize (if not
prevent) "dropping" of pending actions, the following steps are recommended:
• See above items on bureau reports and outgoing cable tracking

• Notebook for coordinators and bureau reps should be passed to next shifts
• Bureau reps and coordinators should fully brief replacements on all pending action
items and other pressing issues before departingtask force room.
• Bureau reps should pass media play reports to Deputy Coordinator &
Coordinator. They should flag intervening anecdotes about foreign donors for
them as well.
• Bureau reps who draft acceptance cables should know that they may use previous
cables to their region as templates. The BUR bureau rep should make sure to
include the boilerplate language for NATO and Partnership for Peace states about
the EADRCC (Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordinator Center).
\\sESSFPll \Task Forces\Task Force 1\Documents\Deputy Coordinator\09 11 2005

(1500-2300).doc
Drafted by: WHAICAN Alan Holst
7/21/2006 UNCLASSIFIED
uNCLASSIFIED
CDI0
RELEASED IN PART
Government of Argentina: offers White Helmets and medical aid. B6
Government of Brazil: President Lula has sent a letter of condolence to President Bush
expressing sympathy and a general offer of assistance for hurrlcan relief.
Government of Colombia:1 Ito B6

offer a small group/team of volunteers available with natural disaster response experience.
Additionally, Colombia can send 10 tons of vegetable powdered mill< for undernourished kids that
requires the addition of water. Colomobia Air Force has a C-130.1 lis standing by, and
! Iwould like to call him back ASAP with a response to this offer.
MexIco: Mexico's Civil Protection Office (part of the Sec. of Govemment) has officially offered
four senior disaster response experts to work with NORTHCOM Officials in the U.S. We have
been informed by! NORTHCOM that they would like to accept this offer of
assistance. Claire 810ng trom F~A has been .kept In the loop. Six names were sent to us along
with information on their skills/abilities but I believe NORTHCOM has accepted only four. Two of
the six don't have visas. Our military groups and agencies will be happy to assist with all
arrangements. .
SEDENA has offered 15 semi trailers of supplies, which FEMA has approved for use in Dallas,
per 2334 9/6 email from! ~NORTHCOM. At a 1200.9/6 coordination meeting
between AMEMB MX City ODC andEDENA to discuss further details of SEDENA assistance
offer, SEDENA informed ODC members that their offer includes not just the 15 semi trailers of
supplies but additionally two full field kitchen sets capable of feeding 7000 p c e als a day
for 20 days, and water purification units. The Secretary of National Defense, . has
authorized the Mexican soldiers accompanying/operating this equipment to remain In e US for
the duration of the 20 days of supplies they would bring. This equipment would also provide the
Mexicans self-sufficiency in lodging and feeding. ODC members infonned SEDENA that only the
15 truckloads of supplies have been accepted. by FEMA at this time. NORTHCOM has requested
FEMA detennination if original SEDENA offer of 15 truckloads of supplies (or the expanded
SEDENA offer if accepted) can be used in FEMAIRed Cross operations in San Antonio. TX vice
Dallas, TX to facilitate logistical coordination wilh Mexican forces. American Red Cross Hqtrs in
Washington DC is aware of SEDENA and political desires to work with MX as a partner in the
Strategic Partnership program etc. I IContacted
Operations Directors Sarah Gabel at Red Cross is Sarah Gabel and Deb Highland (202-303-
5526). Ms. Gabel will contact! ~o let him know if the MX donation can be worked ihlo
the Katrina relief effort in the San Antonio 7Dallas area. Once NORTHCOM receives word from
Red Cross, the offer can then be cleared with State TF. If Red Cross can't use the support,
NORTHCOM suggests the approved 15 trucks to Dallas be used as previously planned as a
donation to the FEMA Katrina relief effort. NORTHCOM also offers the idea that the mobile
kitchen crew (though it would be without foodstuffs) could perhaps cook for a mil staging area
somewhere in the Katrina JOA with the JTF.
Government of Peru: has offered to send 9 tons of canned tuna, and 3.5 tons of canned
sardines. They are prepared to send the aid via Peruvian Air Force. President Toledo will
making a public announcement of the offer.

~VIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE ID: 26 SEP 2006 200503991
lTNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Oliva, Amber M
mill
From: CMS TaskForce1 D-DepCoordinator
Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2005 10:52 PM
To: TaskForce-1
RELEASED IN FULL
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: 09 11 2005 (1500-2300)
Hurricane Katrina Task Force
Deputy Director Shift Report
9-11-2005 (1500-2300)
ACTION ITEMS
* Ecuador has offered plywood. FEMA is interested, and is asking if there are any
import restrictions, number of sheets and dimensions of plywood offered, and whether
shipping costs are included or if FEMA would have to play to·transport plywood to affected
areas.
* Desk needs to confirm Ambassador Thomas' report that the Dalai .Lama announced
Tibet will make or has made a $100,000 donation for relief efforts. .
* Area offices are tasked with compiling lists of donating countries for thank you
letters.
* pending items include
o Have'we received L approval from DoS official to accept donations from Nigeria and
Bangladesh? (check w/TF Director - he forwarded offers to L for guidance on the check's
format)
o We must accept or decline Jordan's offer of forensic experts (OFDA and HHS and
Task Force representative will conference call Monday to discuss Jordan and additional
forensics offers)
o Has AF sent a cable accepting Armenia, Sao Tome and Gabon's offers of cash?
a Has EUR drafted a cable regarding OFDA decision to reject Russia's offer of
generators to sufficient supplies?
o Has EUR drafted a cable declining offer of a French salvage tug asking that the
already departed tug be recalled?
a Have we accepted a German offer of cell phone and internet equipment?
a Has SA received further guidance from Ambassador Thomas' staff on cable declining
Pakistan's offer of relief supplies?
a Has WHA drafted a cable putting· on hold Argentina's offer of mental health
professionals;
o Has WHA draf~ed a cable declining Panama and Ecuador's offers of bananas?
o Are we accepting or declining Canadian ship offer of HMCS Protector?
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1

DATE/CASE In: 02 NOV 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
INFO ITEMS
* CA updated its "Hurricane Katrina Fact Sheet: Foreign Consular Access to New
Orleans" to note several items, including a Diplomatic Security escorted visit by the
Consuls General of Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Japan, Panama, Spain, and
Venezuela to their respective offices in New Orleans September 15. .
* Updated guidance from FEMA says to decline all.offers of generators as FEMA has
been able to source all generators locally.
* Tentative HHS acceptance offers from Argentina (mental health experts), Canada
(medical supplies), Mexico (mental health experts), and WHO (health officers and health
logisticians.) HHS will conference tomorrow to make final decisions.
* FEMA has agreed to let OFDA accept Sweden's offer of telecommunications

equipment.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMAINING SHIFTS
In order to increase coordination between task force shifts and to m1n1m1ze (if not
prevent) "dropping" of pending actions, the following steps are recommended:
* See above items on bureau reports and outgoing cable tracking
* Notebook for coordinators and bureau reps should be passed to next shifts
* Bureau reps and coordinators should fully brief replacements on all pending
action items and other pressing issues before departing task force room.
* Bureau reps should pass media play reports to Deputy Coordinator & Coordinator.
They should flag intervening anecdotes about foreign donors for them as well.
* Bureau reps who draft acceptance cables should know that they may use previous
cables to their region as templates. The EUR bureau rep should make sure to include the
boilerplate language for NATO and partnership for Peace states about the EADRCC (Euro-
.Atlantic Disaster Response Coordinator Center) .
\\SESSFPl1\Task Forces\Task Force I\Documents\Deputy Coordinator\09 11 2005

(1500-2300) .doc
Drafted by: WHA/CAN Alan Holst
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron, Petra C
From: Harris, Michelle F ' RELEASED IN PART
Sent: Thursday, September 22, 2005 4:09 PM
To: Martinez, Eduardo J B6
ce Gomez, Heidi N
SUbject: RE: Summary of Foreign Assistance Offers as of 912212005 1400 (STATUS OF ARGENTINE
OFF:ER)
Yes.
From: Martinez, Eduardo J(WHA/EPSC)

Sent: Thursday, september 22, 2005 2:41 PM
To: Harris, Michelle F
Cc: Gomez, HeIdi N
SUbJect: FW: Summary of Foreign AssIstance Offers as of 9/22/2005 1400 (STATUS OF ARGENTINE OFFER)
Michelle,
Since HHS confirms that they have deployment plans for the Argentine mental health experts, can we switch the status of
their offer from pledged to accepted as we did for the Colombian offer for the next version of the-summary?
thanks
-- -- - -.. - --- --
~ _. _.- ---"-"-~-' --" ---
From: Harris, Mlchelle'F

sent: Thursday, september 22,20052:24 PM
To: Yamamoto, Donald Y(AF/FO);r I Benson, James H; C; camp, Donald A (SA/FO); 'CUrran, Ben'; D; 'Donald Herr'; Dowdy, B6
Felix A; E; 'Rnney, John'; GciStright, JoRn A; 'Goldberg, Robert'; Gottlieb, Greg; Gray, Gordon (NEA/FO); Greene, RIchard l; 'Grey
Frandson'j H SpeclalAsslstants; Harty, Maura A(CA~!Hirsch Michael'; Isaacs, Ken; 'JOC TeamOlier; 'John Allen'; 'John Simon';
I I'KristopherHarrison';1 _~ =.:L.,;--,
M; 'Marmaud, Karen'; MCCray, I. Jean;r
celli; 'Nleuwejaar, Sonja'; Norman, AlainG; 'NsC; ~-WtiSf@m:l:.eop.gov'; 'OFDA RMr; P; PASMGROO"'P:r-;- - - - - - -
I ...,PM-ActionTeam; PRM-Hunic:ane Katrina; R; Ranneberger, Michael E(AF Front Office); Reside, Julie
M(PA/PRS); Rocca, ChriStina B; satches, Penny C; SES-CR; Shapiro, Olarles S; 'STATE.Ilrng'; Stephens, 0 Kal:hleen; Stitt, Tony;
'Stuart Nightingale'; TaskForce-I; 'Turner, Ub • Volker Kurt D' Ward celeste J; Wayne, E Anthony; WHA-Staffers
Cc: 'MidlaerNiles'; Howard, Edward B (OES); Tyckoskl, James E; Anderson, Roger W(Olarleston); Bass,
John R (OPS); Bordley, Donna; Boyse, Ma , ers al x; Chinn, DavId R; Ponds, Fernandez l(Maln State Rm 2422);
Aaggs, Olris H; Brown, Bruce A; Hembree, ErIc L; 'JohnSimon'; Kaplan, Sid l; Lakhdhlr, Kamala S (EAP/FO); Millette,James
l(OIarleston); 'OFDA Katrina Cps'; PRM-Hunicane Katrina; Ruppe, Adere E; Scalzo, OtriStOpher R; SES DutyDeputles; 5ES-
Une_Only; SES-Q CMS; Taskforce-I; Thomas, Hany K; TaskForce-I; Taskforce-II IKatrina Worldng .
Group; I Ismith, Naklta S; Atkinson, DavidR
Subject: Summary of fOreign ASSiStance Offers as of 9/22/2005 1400
Cleared version attached.
Regards,
Michelle Harris
Special Assistant
Katrina Working Group
« File: Summary of Foreign Offers Accepted or Plan to Accept 9-22-05 1400.doc»

1
DATE/CASE In: 08 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
F.N:Crementialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams/ MESSAGE FROM MEDICAL... Page 1 of8
'UNCLASSIFIED RELEASED IN PART
O'Herron, Petra C B6 ~
From: Martinez, Eduardo J(WHAIEPSC)
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 8:41 AM
To: Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSAlCMHS); McCarthy, Deborah A; SAMHSA SERC;
patricia.bransford@samshsa.hhs.gov
Cc: Harris, Michelle F; Delaurentis, Jeffrey A; Fisher, Emily S; Fife, Nan N; Gonzalez, Juan S
Subject: RE: Colombian Team
Sure. You know where to reach me.
ad
From: Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSNCMHS) [mailto:Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov]

sent: Thursday,
september 29, 2005 8:29 AM
To: McCarthy, Deborah A; SAMHSA SERC; Martinez, Eduardo J; patrida.bransford@samshsa.hhs.gov
Cc: Hams, Michelle F; Delaurentis, Jeffrey Ai Fisher, Emily S; Fife, Nan N; Gonzalez, Juan ~
SUbject: RE: Credentialllng: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams! MESSAGEFROMMEDICAL DIRECTOR
We are trying to work out a placement in Texas. Can you give us a few minutes this morning to work
this out? thanks
Anne Mathews Younes

240276-1837
anne.mathews-y'ounes@samhsa.hhs.gov
From: McCarthy, Deborah A [mallto:McCarthyDA@state.gov]

sent: Thursday,september 29, 20058:08 AM
To: SAMHSA SERC; Martinez,' Eduardo J; pabicia.bransford@samshsa.hhs.gov .
Cc: Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSNCMHS); Harris, Michelle F; Delaurentis, Jeffrey A; Fisher, emily Si Fife, Nan
N; Gonzalez, Juan S .
Subject: RE: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams! MESSAGE FROMMEDICAL DIRECTOR
We need to send a formal cable of acceptance to Colombia. Do we have the green light to do so? We would, of
course, say do not deploy and put down whomever you suggest as pt of contact so that logistics can work out. Pis
advise.
From: SAMHSA SERe [mailto:SERC@SAMHSA.hhs.gov]

sent: Wednesday,
september 28,20057:24 PM
To: Martinez, Eduardo Ji patrida.bransforcl@samshsa.hhs.gov
CC: Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSNCMHS); McCarthy, Deborah Ai Harris,' Michelle F; Delaurentis, Jeffrey Ai
Fisher, Emily S; Fife, Nan N; Gonzalez, Juan Si SAMHSA SERC .
Subject: RE: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams! MESSAGE FROMMEDICAL DIRECTOR
. .
Per our conversation. we do not expect to deploy the Columbians to Louisiana. As soon as we have confirmed
their deployment assignment, we will let you know.
Pat Bransford
SAMHSASERC
UNI'1)l9~ifESDEPARTMENT OF STATE
DATE/CASE ID: 13 SEP 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
FVv: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Ment~A~~t.ffl.~tPE FROM MEDICAL... Page 2 of8
From: Martinez, Eduardo J [mailto:MartinezEJ@state.gov]

Sent: Wed 9/28/2005 9:51 AM
To: patricia.bransford@samshsa.hhs.gov
Cc: SAMHSA SERC; Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSA/CMHS); McCarthy, Deborah A; Harris, Michelle F;
Delaurentis, Jeffrey A; Fisher, Emily S; Fife, Nan N; Gonzalez, Juan 5
Subject: FW: Credentlalling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams/ MESSAGE FROM MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Pat,
As I mentioned, we received the following message from Louisiana State authorities yesterday requesting infonnation from
the Argentine team. Please advise ASAP as to whether the same information will be needed for the Colombian mental health
team. Please contact me ifyou have any questions:
Eduardo 1. Martinez
Katrina Virtual Working Group
WHA Representative
..~~~~~=--i-202'641=4408=:= =
martinezej@State.gov
----Original Message--
From: McCarthy, Deborah A
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 8: 19 AM
To: Gomez, Heidi N; Martinez, Eduardo J
Cc: Llorens, Hugo .
Subject: FW: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams! MESSAGE FROM MEDICAL DIRECfOR
Can we get all this today?
----Original Message--
From: Robert Fisher [mailto:RFisher@dhh.la.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27,20055:47 PM
To: McCarthy, Deborah A
Cc: Anthony Speier; Brandon Romano; Cheryll Stephens; Eddie Jenkins; JOSEPH VINTURELLA; Thomas Washington;
Itynes@jphsa.org
Subject: RE: CredentiaUing: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams
Dear Ms McCarthy,
I am the Medical Director for the Office of Mental Health in Louisiana. I have been asked by the Assistant Secretary of this
Office to coordinate, with colleagues you have already been in contact with, the credential process for our Argentinean his
credentialing effort.
We would anticipate an expeditious processing with little or no delay.
To again note the items of most importance to us:
1) The Physician's run name and title with supporting photo-identification;

2) A copy of the Physician's Unrestricted Medical License (ideally certified or notarized, but not essential in this instance)
~) A copy of each person's resume' (to assist in placement).
I understand that this team will be working in Jefferson Parish, an area along with contiguous Parishes that has suffered
greatly during these storms.
Thank you very much for your assistance in this most kind and generous offer from the Argentina Mental Health Team
Cordially,
FW: Creclentialling: ARGENTINA Ment~A~~~tfEFROM MEDICAL... Page 3 of8
Robert B Fisher, M.D.; M.P.H., Medical Director Louisiana Office of Mental Health (DHH)
»> "McCarthy, Deborah A" <McCartbyDA@state.gov> 09127/059:05 AM »>

1hope this can move swiftly.
--Original Message----
From: Thomas Washington [maillo:TPWashi@dhh.la.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, September 27,20059:18 AM
To: Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.bhs.gov; Brenda.Bruun@samhsa.bhs.gov; SERC@Samhsa.hhs.gov; Gomez, Heidi N;
CCSaunders@Westover.com; edbrown@Westover.com
Cc: Anthony Speier; Cheryll Stephens; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; JOHN KRENTEL; Robert Fisher;
GGidi@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV; Patricia.Bransford@samhsa.hhs.gov; Sylvia.Fisher@samhsa.hhs.gov; Katrina Working
Group
Subject: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams
Importance: High
All:
The "credentialling" process for out-of-state personnel is evolving, but it is clear that a local credentialling process will apply
to the Argentine teams, A~ an interim process, please forward copy of license, photo ill and resume' to:
Dr. Robert Fisher

OMH Medical Director
1201 Capitol Access Road
P. O. Box 4049
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4049
tfuher@dhh.la.gov
ph: 225-342-9263
fax: 225-342-5066
It is highly likely that the credentialling process will apply to all other out-of-state personnel as well.
Thank you,
Tom Washington, Ph.D.

Louisiana OMH
»> "Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSAlCMHS)"

»>'<Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov>09/26105 5:46 PM »>
UPDATE: The Argentina team is arriving this Wednesday (9128) at noon in New Orleans. A SAMHSA staff member, Dr.
Sylvia Fisher will be on site to meet them and will be staying with them for most of the time that they will be working in
Jefferson Parish. They will be staying at the Le Pavillon Hotel, 8333 Poydrais Street, New Orleans. The phone number of
the hotel is 504 581 3111. Dr Fishers work phone number is 240 276-1923. She will be given a govenunent cell phone and I
will get that number to you as soon as we have it. We expect that Dr. Fisher will be conveying daily reports back to the
SAMHSA Emergency Response Center and we would be please to share that information with you if you wish. Thank you
for all of your assistance in arranging this generous volunteer opportunity. '
Anne Mathews Younes, EdD.

Director, Division of Prevention, Traumatic Stress & Special Programs 240 276-1837 anne.mathews-
younes@samhsa.hhs.gov .
-·--Original Message-•••
From: Gomez, Heidi N' [mailto:GQmezHN@state.govJ
.Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 II :36 AM
To: SAMHSA SERC; Thomas Washington; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; Anthony Speier; Mathews-Younes, Anne
(SAMHSAlCMHS); Bruun, Brenda (SAMHSAlCMHS); CCSaunders@Westover.com; edbrown@Westover.com
Cc: Smith, David B. (HHS); Katrina Working Group; Martinez, Eduardo J; Prince, Dale; Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M;
7/1912006 UNCLASSIFIED
Message , Page 1 of3
From: Bass, John R (OPS)(S/ES-O)

Sent: Tuesday, September 27,2005 10:33 AM
Cc: Harris, Michelle F; SES-o_CMS; Katrina Working Group
Subject: FW: Hurricane relief - Latin American countries
(
I think this probably started with you, but just to be certain, would appreciate KWG's help to verify the list of WHA
countries that offered assistance. thanks, JB
-----Origlnal Message----
From: Simon, John [mallto:John_Simon@nsc.eop.gov]
sent: Tuesday, September 27, 2005 10:19 AM
To: Bass, John R (OPS)
Cc: SES-D_CMS
Subject: FW: Hurricane relief - latin American countries
Just double checking the list below on Hispanic countries that have offered Hurricane assistance.
from: Cronin, Susan P.

sent: Monday, September 26,20052:11 PM .
TofSpiller, Katherine 5.; DL-NSC-Westem Hemisphere Affairs; Simon, John; Meline, Jed
Cc: DL-NSC-Executive secretary; Newton, Julia K.
Subject: RE: Hurricane relief - Latin American countries
Didn't lJruguay offer powdered milk and water purification trucks or something. Thought I saw that on the news.
__ ___Sue_cronin _
Western Hemisphere NSC
202-456-9138
---Original Message----
From: Spiller, Katherine S.
sent: Monday, september 26, 2005 12:49 PM
To: DL-NSC-Westem Hemisphere Affairs; Simon, John; Meline, Jed
cc: DL-NSC-Executlve secretary; Newton, Julia K.
Subject: FW: Hurricane relief -latin American countries
@WHA
OPL would like our recommendation on Ambassadors to invite for the Hispanic Heritage Month event.
They have a list of Latin American countries that offered relief assistance following the hurricanes. Daniel's
email says 4-5 Ambassadors but I have warned him we might feel that more Ambassadors should be
invited. That being said, please look at the list below and Jet me know what you think is most appropriate.
Also note that Daniel mentions factoring in support for Iraq into our decision, I leave that up to you if you
think that is a relevant deciding factor.
John/Jed
Please verify thatthe list of countries from State belo·w is correct when compared to your list of foreign aid
contributions. .
Thank you-
Katherine
DA'f1¥~h~dD: 08 SEP 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
Message Page 2 of3
UNCLASSIFIED
-----Original Message--
From: Garza, Daniel
sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 12:38 PM
To: Spiller, Katherine S.
Subject: Hurricane relief - LatinAmerican countries
. Katherine: salow is a list of Latin American countries who have stepped up with relief assistance according
to State Dept. Any of these countries overlap with troops in Iraq maybe?
Please recommend 4-5 ambassadors from the listed countries to invite for the Hispanic Heritage event.
imagine Mexico should have one of those slots given their significant commitment.
Please advise ASAP.
Daniel
---Original Message---
--------JFFrl"Oo:m: Rojas, Fernando 0 [mailto:RojesFO@st8te.gov]
sent: Monday, september 26,'200511:05 AM
To: Garza, Daniel
Subject: RE: Anything on the Hunicane relief Latin American countries?
Daniel:
The Latin American countries that offered assistance for Hurricane Katrina are as follows -
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
- --~-~~Chile- ~-~._-----------~
Colombia
Costa Rica
Dominican Republic
Honduras
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Ecuador
EI Salvador
Guatemala
Nicaragua
Venezuela
Just FYI- Other countries in the Western Hemisphere that ~Iso offered (though not of Hispanic heritage):
The Bahamas. Barbados. Canada, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines,
Trinidad and Tobago.
Also please note - the Organization of Americans States also offered $25,000 and opened a fund for
member countries to donate to.
Finally - While Cuba has made an offer; we should not include it in any White House acknowledgement.
On acknowledgement of Venezuela, I trust NSC will decide.
I've been promised the latest on which offers we've accepted, but I don't want to hold you up. I will send it
as soon as I get my hands on it. .
UNCLASSIFIED
7/19/2006
Mes~cige Page 3 of3
. UNCLASSIFIED
Best regards,
Fernando
Fernando D. Rojas
Senior Advisorto AmbassadorJohn F. Maisto
U.S. PermanentMission to the Organization of American States (OAS)
Bureau of Westem Hemisphere Affairs
U.S. Departmentof State
Washington, D.C. 20520
(202) 647-9482
From: Garza, Daniel [mailtD:DanieLGarza@who.eop.gov]

~nt: Friday, september 23,20052:14 PM
To: Rojas, Fernando 0
Subject: Anything on the Hurricane relief latin American countrIes?
7/19/2006
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Willjam$,p~vin M.
-----..-.-.---.-.-~-----~-·~f Co II cy--------
Frornr- --GMS Taskl-orce t N
-r-'T
KE;LEAC"-r-'~
.. -n T1\..T "T TT T
- .. .:):CU 11 'Il .I" u LL
Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 2:43 PM
To: Martinez. Eduardo J; Sheridan, Ian M; Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Taskforce-t
Subject: RE: URGENT: WHA Assistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to (Argentina)
All, The word here is that doctors of any kind are in the "forget about it" category.
Human assistance of any kind is not on our priorities list. See State 163366 for a list
of what's needed. It's all about goods, not people, at this point.
> -----Original Message-----
>From: Martinez, Eduardo J
>Sent: Friday, Septemtier 09, 2005 2:35 PM
>To: Sheridan, 'Ian Mi Gomez, Heidi N; CMS,TaskForcelN
>Subject: RE: URGENT: WHA Assistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to
(Argentina)
>
>Per the last email I had on this last night (see attached) I'd say that it is still an
issue. DHS has been sitting on this request or delaying the vetting process ever since I
flagged it as a concern on Tuesday at 4 am when I was covering WHA on the task force.
Has there been a more recent email on this? Even if they are .ultimately not needed, the
delay in getting this information back to the GOA has been unacceptable in my humble
opinion.
>
> « Message: Re: Details on the White Helmets, Offered by
> Argentina ... White Helmets is Offering a MEDICAL Team »
>
>
>
>-=:-------:-:----:-.,------=,-----,,------,-------'---'-
>From: Sheridan, Ian M
>Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 2:24 PM'
>To: Gomez, Heidi N; Martinez; Eduardo J
>
>As it involves people, pharms, doctors and technical teams, the answer I guess is no,
correct?
>
>-=:-------::----=----;-:;--,-------------
>From: Gomez, Heidi N
>Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005 2:23 PM
>To: Martinez, Eduardo J; Sheridan, Ian M
>
>yes
>
>Heidi N. Gomez
>Argentina Desk Officer
>Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
>U.S. Department of State
>
>Tel. 202-647-3402
>Fax 202-736-7825
>http:\\www.state.gov
>
>
>
>From: Martinez, Eduardo J

:>Sent: Friday. September 09, 2005 2:23 PM
>To: Gomez, Heidi N; Sheridan, Ian M
>Subject: FW: URGENT: WHA Assistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to
>
UNITEO STATES DEPARTMENTOF STATE 125
DATE/CASE 10: 28 NOV 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
. --'._----
O"Herron, Petra C
UNCLASSIFIED
~bl;_g7:
From: CMS TaskForce1 N
Sent: , Tuesday, September 13,200511:54 AM RELEASED IN FULL
To: Henifin, David E; WHA-AND
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: Mexican and Colombian mental health: PROFESSIONALS. THE FASTER WE GET THE
INFO, THE FASTER WE CAN ACCEPT.
FYI - please provide info on Colombian teams of mental health professionals. Use Argentina's info as a template.
Alicia Edwards
WHA Action Officer
Task Force 1
····:Orlginal Message--
From: CMS TaskFOree1N
sent: Tuesday, september 13, 2005 2:44 AM
To: Drucker, MiltonK; CMS TaskForce1-Dlrector; Kelty, stephen R
Cc: Jacobson,Roberta 5; Whitaker, Elizabeth A; Shapiro, O1arles S; French, Philip C; TaskForce-1; SES-O_CMS; TasItForce-l
Subject: RE: Mexican and COlombian mental health: PROFESSIONALS. THE FASTER WE GET11iE INFO, 11iE FASTER WE CAN ACCEPT.
Milton:
If someone has already answered your e-mail, my apologies for the duplication.
Attached please find details provlded by the Government of Argentina on their team of mental health professionals. DHHS
was able to approve this team fairly quickly once they had the information. So, while there may not be a set standard of
what information needs to be presented, if it resembles the attached, it probably stands a good chance of a speedy
approval.
Regards,
Greg Schiffer
WHA Action Officer
TF1
Details on the GOA's White Helmets offer:

· Argentina has offered a 7-member "White Helmets" team ofbilingual mental health
professionals to provide victim counseling to Hurricane Katrina victims. All have considerable
field experience. .
· The GOA will cover their expenses and is prepared to keep the team in the U.S. for up to six
months.
· The White Helmets Rescue and Relief Team is a civilian group, originally financed -by the
IDB through an agreement with the OAS.
· Highly respected for their humanitarian and disaster relief, the team has responded to calls for
assistance by UNESCO, the World Food Program, and UNHCR in such countries asthe
Balkans, East Timor, Haiti, Honduras, Kosovo, and Lebanon.
· Embassy-Buenos Aires fully supports expedited approval of the team and is concerned that
rejecting the GOA's White Helmet offer might be a sore point for the Argentines when
President Bush attends the upcoming November Summit of the Americas held in Buenos Aires.
DATE/CASE In: 25 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
PERFILES OFERTA
EE UU1 SP.doc
---Original Message-----
From: Drucker, Milton K .
To: CMS TaskForce1-Dlrector; Kelly, Stephen R
cc: Jacobson, Roberta S; Whitaker, Elizabeth A; Shapiro, Olar1es S; French, Philip C; TaskForce-1; SES-O_CMS
SUbJect: RE: Mexican and Colombian mental health: PROFESSIONAlS. TIlE FASTER WEGET TIlE INFO, TIlE FASTER WE CAN ACCEPT.
We have been at this since the day after katrina. Colombia-was one of thefii'st countries to offer help. All we get is
questions about qualifications. Tell us what you need and we will get it for you, but-please tell us what you need with
some specificity so we can answer t~~ques.tion once definitively rather than ad seriatum going to the colombians with
yet another question. Had someone asked about qualifications after the colombians made the offer, we might be done
now. . .
I want to emphasize the colombians are experienced at dealing with displacements (althoguh usually people here are
displaced due to fighting, they have had their share of earthquakes, and last year, floods).
From: CMSTaskForcel~Director
To: Drucker, Milton K; Kelly, Stephen R
Cc: Jacobson, Roberta S; Whitaker, Elizabeth A; Shapiro, Olar1es S; French, PhIlip C; TaskForce-1; SES-O_CMS
Subject: Mexican and Colombian mentalhealth: PROFESSIONALS. THE FASTER WE GET TIlE INFO, THEFASTER WECAN ACCEPT.
All, we need the information requested on the teams. Pis pass asap. My understanding is that the Colombian team is
bilingual but they still want to see their qualifications. The Mexican may not be but I have told FEMA that it does not
matter as there are thousands of Spanish speaking people who will need their help. PIs help us get the key info so we
can send acceptance cables tomorrow. Merci/Gracias. .
UNCLASSIFIED
TO: • Go~e~r,ASSIFIED
... Martinez, Eduardo J; Sheridan, Ian M;
cc: TaskForce-l .
Subject: RE: URGENT: WHA Assistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to (Argentina)
All, The word here is that doctors of any kind are in the "forget about it" category. Human assistance of any kind is not on
our priorities list See State 163366 for a list of what's needed. It's all about goods, not people, at this point.
-----Original Message----
From: . Martinez, Eduardo J
To: Sheridan, Ian M; Gomez, Heidi N; eMSTaskForcelN
Subject: RE: URGENT; WHA Assistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to (Argentina)
Per the last email I had on this last night (see attached) I'd say that it is still an issue. DHS has been sitting on this
. request or delaying the vetting process ever since I flagged it as a concern on Tuesday at 4 am when I was covering
WHA on the task force. Has there been a more recent email on this? Even jf they are ultimately not needed. the
delay in getting this information back to the GOA has been unacceptable in my humble opinion.
« Message: Re: Details on the White Helmets, Offered by Argentina ...White Helmets is Offering a MEDICAL Team
»
From: Sheridan, Ian M

Subject: RE: URGENT: WHAAssistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to
As it involves people, pharms, doctors and technical teams, the answer I guess is no, correct?
\
From: Gomez, Heidi N

Sent: Friday, September 09, 2005.2:23 PM
re.. Martinez, Eduardo J; Sheridan, Ian M
Subject: RE: URGENT: WHA Assistance Offersnot yet Accepted or Responded to
yes
Heidi N. Gomez
Argentina Desk Officer
Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
U.S. Department of State
. Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
http:\\www.state.gov
From: Martinez, Eduardo J

To: Gomez, HeidiN; Sheridan, Ian M
Subject: FW: URGENT: WHAAssistance Offersnot yet Accepted or Responded to
Is the Argentina offer still an issue?
From: QvIS TaskForcelN

Sent: Friday, September 09,20052:15 PM
To: WHA-Office Directors; WHA-Desk Officers
Cc: TaskForce-l .
Subject: URGENT: WHA Assistance Offersnot yet Ag:epted or Responded to
We're writing an 1M to S in the next 45 mins. our asking her to call Sec. Chertoff and ask why he has not accepted
offers of assistance from so many countries. Each geographical bureau gets to name 2 countries. I'd like to highlight
2
UNCLASSIFIED
>
Page 1 of 4
UNCLASSIFIED
\ RELEASED IN PA~
O'Herron, Petra C B6 ~'l3q
From: Gomez: Heidi N(WHAIBSC)
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 20052:55 PM
To: JOHN KRENTEL;I I B6
Cc: Anthony Speier; Robert Fisher; Thomas Washington; Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov;
Brenda.Bruun@samhsa.hhs.gov; SERC@samhsa.hhs.gov; CCSaunders@Westover.com;
edbrown@Westover.com; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; Patricia. Bransford@samhsa.hhs.gov;
Sylvia.Fisher@samhsa.hhs.gov; Katrina Working Group; McCarthy, Deborah A; Anthony Speier;
Cheryll Stephens; Llorens, Hugo(Buenos Aires); Barmon, Kathleen W; Hall, Tim 0
Subject: Extension of Argentine White Helmets and 10/8-10 visit of White Helmets President Fuks
John:
Per our conversation, the Argentine Embassy contacted me earlier today to say that the Argentine White Helmets
team has been hard at work on the ground. As you know, their original deployment was to end on October 15.
However, based on their assessment of needs on the ground, they are offering to extend their deployment.
Please let us know if this is acceptable to your folks back in Louisiana, so that the Argentine Embassy can begin
the paperwork necessary to keep the team in-country longer.
In addition. Ambassador Gabriel Fuks, head of the White Helmets Commission of Argentina, will travel to New
Orleans from October 10-12 and would like to meet with the most appropriate local, city, and state officials during
his visit. We would greatly appreciate your assistance in securing appointments for him.
Thanks!
.Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825

To: 'JOHN KRENTEL'
Cc: Anthony Speier; Robert Fisher; Thomas Washington; Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs,govi
Brenda.Bruuneasarnhse.hhs.qov: SERC@samhsa.hhs,gov; CCSaunders@Westover.com; edbrown@Westover.com;
Gilda Armstrong-Butler; Patricia.Bransford@samhsa.hhs.gov; Sylvia.Fisher@samhsa.hhs.gov; Katrina Working
Group; McCarthy, Deborah A; Anthony Speier; Cheryll Stephens; Llorens, Hugo(Buenos Aires); Barmon, Kathleen
W; Hall, Tim a
Subject: ARGENTINA TEAM PROALES
Importance: High
John:
Per our phone conversation, attached please find a "snapshot" of the Argentine White Helmets team professional
. qualifications. Our Embassy in Argentina is working on obtaining the medical licenses that you have asked for copies of the
license, photo id, and their resumes/CVs.

DA~r26~~~~D: 08 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Cable Text:
UNCLASSIFIED
TELEGRAM September 06, 2005
To: SECSTATE WASHOC - IMMEDIATE
Action: SS
From: AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES (BUENOS AIR 2208 - IMMEDIATE)
TAGS: AEMR. AMGT. ASEC, CASC, BAlD. PREL, AR. US
Captions: None
Subject: TFUSOl: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Ref: SECSTATE 163366 AND PREVIOUS
1. Ambassador met with Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador

Jorge Taiana on September 6 per ref tel instructions.
Ambassador presented a non-paper with USG priority ~re~s for
Hurricane Katrina relief and thanked T~i~na for the various
GOA expression of condolences for Hurricane Katrina.
including a message from Vice President scioli.
I
2. On September 5 Minister of Health Gines Gonzalez Garcia

called the Ambassador to offer the assistance of a small.
experienced team of physicians with considerable expertise in
dealing with flood victims and health hazards produced by
flooding. The Ambassador thanked the Minister for his offer
and assured him that he would relay it to the Department of
State. In follow-up exchanges with EST Couos, Vice Minister
of Health Liebovich said that the team has considerable
experience in dealing with disasters. including a major flood
in Santa Fe where 100.000 people abandoned their homes. the
recent devastating supermarket fire in paraguay and a
nightclub fire in Buenos Aires, with a large number of
casualties. Four members of the team are experienced
psychiatrists who specialize in disaster victims and five are
epidemiologists. with experience in health problems caused by
floods.
3 . .The Foreign Ministry has provided us with a press

statement outlining its offer of their experienced "White
Helmet" team. The statement pointed that while the team
members speak English. they would be particularly useful in
dealing with Spanish-speaking victims. The White Helmets.
according to our MFA interlocutors, are ready to manage
refugee camps. provide physiological counseling. assist in
food distribution. and family reintergration.
4. The Ambassador has received a number condolences from

prominent citizens, other ambassadors and from Vice President
scioli and other GOA officials who lamented the tragedy. The
. Ambassador's op ed on the Katrina aftermath will appear in an
important local daily on September 7.
2
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
5. Comment: Post recommends that the Department seriously
consider accepting the White Helmet team. We believe this
experience team would be a valuable asset to the disaster
relief effort.' Embassy also endorses the Ministry of
Health's small team. Argentina has a particularly strong
medical health community and serious and dedicated groups of
epidemiologists connected with the Ministry of Health.
Embassy believes the Ministry's team could provide assistance
for Spanish speaking victims, End Comment
GUTIERREZ
Additional Addressees:
None
cc:
DEPT OF HRS WASHOC
DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC
WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
.Distribution:
TED6991
ACTION SS-OO
INFO LOG-OO NP-OO AID-OO A-DO CA-OO CIAE-OO DNI-OO

DODE-OO WHA-OO DS-OO BUR-OO OlGa-OO FBIE-OO UTED-OO
FEMA-01 FOE-DO H-OO TEOE-OO INR-OO LAB-01 NSAE-OO
OCS-OO IRM-OO SSO-OO ASOS-OO FMP-OO OSCC-OO PRM-OO
DRL-OO G-OO . ALM-OO SAS-OO SWCI-OO /002W
------------------33EC7C 062109Z /38
o 062101Z SEP 05
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO SECSTATE WASHOC IMMEDIATE 1460
INFO WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS OIPL POSTS PRIORITY
DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHOC PRIORITY
DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 002208
STATE PASS USAID/OFDA

DHS FOR FEMA/OIA
WHA/SSC PASS Tf> TASK FORCE ONE
HHS FOR OS - GrOI
E,O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: AEMR; ASEC, CASC, EAIO, AMGT, US. PREL, AR
SUBJECT: TFUS01: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND
MEDICAL AID
REF: SECSTATE 163366 AND PREVIOUS
UNCLASSIFIED
..
UNCLASSIFIED
End Cable Text
Ian M Sheridan 09/06/2005 05:38:38 PM From DBllnbox: Ian M Sheridan
Ian Sheridan
Chile Desk Officer
Bureau of Western Hemisph"ere Affairs
Off. of Brazilial"l and Southern Cone Affairs, Room 5258
Phone: 202l647~2575
FQX: 202n36-7825
e-mail: sheridanim@state.gov
I
. I
I
,I
.~
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
From: Embrey, Edgar L

sent: Tuesday, september 06, 2005 6:01 PM
To: TaskForce-!
Cc: SES-O,:"CMS
Subject: FW: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS ANDMEDICAL AID
Task Force Katrina: Please see message below from Embassy Buenos Aires regarding Argentine Government offer of
. assistance in Katrina relief.
Edgar L. Embrey
WHAlPPC
Ext 7-6365

Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 5:43 PM
To: Benson, James H; WHA-PPC Exchange Group; WHA-EPSC Exchange Group
Cc: Barmon, Kathleen W
Subject: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Just making sure you all saw this cable from EmbassyBA that just came in, which spells out what we had heard from the
Embassy of Argentina the last couple of days.
Ian
Ian M Sheridan 09/06/2005 05:38:38PM From DBllnbox: Ian M Sheridan
Cable Text:
UNCLMSIFIED
TELEGRAM September 06, 2005
To: SECSTATE WASHOC - IMMEDIATE
Action: SS
From: AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES (BUENOS AIR 2208 - IMMEDIATE)
TAGS: AEMR, AMGT, ASEC, CASC, EAID, PREL, AR. US

\
Captions: None
Subject: TFUS01: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Ref: SECSTATE 163366 AND PREVIOUS
1. Ambassador met with Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador

Jorge Taiana on September 6 per ref tel instructions.
Ambassador presented a non-paper with USG priority areas for
Hurricane Katrina relief and thanked Taiana for the various
GOA expression of condolences for Hurricane Katrina,
including a message from Vice President Scioli.
2. On September 5 Minister of Health Gines Gonzalez Garcia

called the Ambassador to offer the assistance of a small,
experienced team of physicians with considerable expertise in
dealing with flood victims and health hazards produced by
flooding, The Ambassador thanked the Minister for his offer
and assured him that he would relay it to the Department of
2
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
o 062101Z SEP 05
PM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1460
INFO WESTERN HEMISPHERIC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS PRIORITY
DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC PRIORITY
DEPT OF HHS WASHDC PRIORITY
STATE PASS USAID!OFDA

DHS FOR FEMA!OIA
WHA!BSC PASS TO TASK FORCE ONE
HHS FOR OS - GIDI
E.O. 12956: N!A

TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, EAID, AMGT, US, PREL, AR
SUBJECT: TFUS01: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND
MEDICAL AID
REF: SECSTATE 163366 AND PREVIOUS
}
End Cable Text
Ian M Sheridan 09/0612005 05:38:38 PM From DBnnbox: Ian M Sheridan
Ian Sheridan
Chile Desk Officu
Off. of 8rG%illan' and SouthU'n Cone Affairs. Room 5258
Phone: 2021647-2575
Fax: 202/736-7825
e-mail: sheridanlm@state.gov
4
UNCLASSIFIED
" 'r
UNCLASSIFIED
State. In follow-up exchanges with EST Couns, Vice Mini~ter
of Health Liebovich said that the .team has considerable
experience in dealing with disasters, including a major flood
in Santa Fe where 100,000 people abandoned their homes, the
recent devastating supermarket fire in Paraguay and a
nightclub fire in Buenos Aires, with a large number of
casualties. Four members of the team are experienced
psychiatrists who specialize in disaster victims and five are
epidemiologists,' with experience in health problems caused by
floods.
3. The Foreign Ministry has provided us with a press

statement outlining its offer of their experienced "White
Helmet" team. The statement pointed that while the team
members speak English, they would be particularly useful in
dealing with Spanish-speaking victims. The White Helmets.
according to our MFA interlocutors, are ready to manage
refugee camps. provide physiological counseling, assist in
food distribution. and family reintergration.
4. The Ambassador has received a number condolences from

prominent citizens. other ambassadors and from Vice ~resident
Scioli and other GOA officials who lamented the tragedy. The
Ambassador's op ed on the Katrina aftermath will appear in an
important local daily on September 7.
5. Comment: post recommends that the Department seriously

consider accepting the White Helmet team. We believe this
experience team would be a valuable asset to the disaster
relief effort. Embassy also endorses the Ministry of
Health's small team. Argentina has a particularly strong
medical health community and serious and dedicated groups of
epidemiologists connected with the Ministry of Health.
Embassy believes the Ministry's team could provide assistance
for Spanish speaking victims, Bnd Comment
GUTIERREZ
Additional Addressees: .
None
cc:
DB~ OF HHS WASHOe
DB~ OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHDC
WESTERN HEMISPHERXC AFFAIRS DIPL POSTS
Distribution:
TEn6991
ACTION 55-00
INFO LOG-DO NP-OO AID-DO A-DO CA-OO CIAE-OO DNI-OO

DODE-OO WHA-OO DS-OO EUR-OO OIGO-OO FBIE-OO lITEn-OO
FEMA-Ol FOE-OO H-OO TEDE-OO INR-OO LAB-Ol N5AB-00
OCS-OO IRM-OO SSO-OO ASDS-OO FMP-OO DSCC-OO PRM-OO·
DRL-OO G-OO ALM-OO SAS-DO $WCI-OO /002W
------------------33EC7C 062l09Z /38
3
UNCLASSIFIED
lJNCLASSIFIED
Choi, Martino I
From: Embrey, Edgar L RELEASED IN FULL

Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 20059:53 AM
To: TaskForce-1
Cc: SES-O CMS
SUbject: FW: ARGENTINA.OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Task Force Katrina: Please see message below from WHAIBSC requesting guidance (clarification) on whether or not
USG has accepted Government of Argentina's offer of medical personnel.
Edgar L. Embrey .
WHAlPPC
Ext 7-6365

Sent: Wednesday, september 07, 2005 9:39 AM
To: Embrey, EdgarL .
Cc: Benson, James H; Gomez, Heidi N; Barman, Kathleen W
SUbject: RE: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Edgar:
I am cc'ing Heidi Gomez, our new Argentina desk officer, who just began yesterday. To help Heidi and you to get a quick
answer, I'm cc'lnq our Science Counselor in BA, Kathleen Barmon, who might be able to answer the question.
But I'm curious - the Task Force annnounced this morning that it had accepted "health and human services" assitance
from Argentina (among others). So I think we're confused. Can you provide guidance on this, i.e. have we accepted
Argentina's offer or not?
Thanks! - Ian

To: Sheridan,. [an M
Cc: Benson, James H
Subject: FW: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Ian: Please see message below from Task Force Katrina regarding Argentine offer of white helmets and medical aid.
Please note request for information on whether any of the Argentine medical personnel offered were trained in the United
States. Thanks. -- Ed "
Edgar L. Embrey
WHAlPPC
Ext 7-6365
From: CM5 TaskForcelM

To: Embrey, EdgarL(HSf Rm 6913); TaskForce-l
Cc: 5ES-O_CMS; TaskForce-l
Subject: RE: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID "I
I
,Ed. regarding BA's request to provide medical personnel - we are not accepting any medical offers (personnel or
drugs) at this time, with the exception of forensics; however, the response to BA would not point blankly say it that
way. Their offer is appreciated and we will get back to them when/if the need exists. As you mentioned licensure for
medical staff - it may be beneflclal to know for future reference, if any of the medical personnel offered were
trained in the US.
Rl
~t~D STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1
Itl:VIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA
Message' Page 1 of3
lJNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron, Petra C
From: eMS TaskForce38

Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 1:22 PM RELEASED IN FULL
To: 'rmtkatrina_gh'; CMS TaskForce1 E
Cc: Stitt, Tony; TaskForce-1; Gomez, Heidi N; Smith, David S.; CMS TaskForce1-Director; SES-
O_CMS
Subject: RE: Specifics on Argentine offer of White Helmets team of mental health professionals for Katrina
victims
Thanks Arjun!
Heidi
-----Original Message----
From: rmtkatrina-9h [mailto:rmtkatrina-9h@ofda.net]
sent: Monday, September 12,2005 1:16 PM
To: CMS TaskForcelE
Cc: Stitt, Tony; Taskforce-I: Gomez, Heidi Nj Smith, David B.
Subject: RE: Specifics on Argentine offer of White Helmets team of mental health professionals for
Katrina victims
Importance: High
This email should clarify that HHS accepls the Argentine offers for both the White Helmets, as well as the 4
MOH mental health experts. Please move forward with the necessary cables to ensure they are mobilized.
Thanks
Arjun Prasad
HHS Liason- RMT Katrina
From: CMS TaskForce1E [mailto: ITFE@state.gov]

Sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 12:23 PM
. To: rmtkatrina-9h
Cc: Stitt, Tonyj TaskForce-l
SUbject: FW: Specifics on Argentine offer of White Helmets team of mental health professionals for
Katrina victims
Hi Arjan.
Here's the specifics on the individuals. When you have reviewed, please let us know if you will be .
accepting. A cable has been prepared, which will be held pending your approval and advice on whom to
request. Thanks, Sherry .
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, september 12,2005 12:08 PM
To: Teskforce-I: Barman, Kathleen W
Cc: Gidi, GinnYj Benson, James H; Barnes, DouglasMj Alarid; David A; Uorens, Hugo; Hall, Tim 0;
Coscolla, Angeles; MartinezJ Eduardo Jj Duddy, Patrick D; Walker, Ruth R; Gutierrez, L1no; rmtkatrina-9h;
Sheridan, Ian M; Smith, David B.
Subject: For Melissa Kopolow and Kathleen Barman: Argentine offer of White Helmets team of mental
health professionals for Katrina victims
Melissa:

REYJ¥W AUJHORJTY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DAffiRt1g~qD: 10 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
Message ; Page 2 of3
. .. UNCLASSIFIED
Below please find details on the GOA's White Helmets offer as well as an attached
matrix that provides the professional background information of the members of the
proposed team. I understand that OFDA is looking for this information before they can
make final determination on the offer. Per their request, I have cc:d
rmtkatrina gh@ofda.net.
Kathleen:
Can you provide similar information for the 4 mental health experts offered by the Ministry of Health?
Thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
Details on the GOA's White Helmets offer:

;
• Argentina has offered a 7-member "White Helmets" team of bilingual mental

health professionals to provide victim counseling to Hurricane Katrina
victims. All have considerable field experience.
• The GOA will cover their expenses and is prepared to keep the team in the
U.S. for up to six months.
• The White Helmets Rescue and Relief Team is a civilian group, originally
financed by the IDB through an agreement with the OAS.
Message ., Page 3 of3
. . " UNCLASSIFIED
• Highly respected for their humanitarian and disaster relief, the team has
responded to calls for assistance by UNESCO, the World Food Program, and
UNHCR in such countries as the Balkans, East Timor, Haiti, Honduras,
Kosovo, and Lebanon.
• Embassy-Buenos Aires fully supports expedited approval of the team and is

concerned that rejecting the GOA's White Helmet offer might be a sore point
for the Argentines when President Bush attends the upcoming November
Summit of the Americas held "in Buenos Aires.
UNCLASSIFIED
Choi, Martino I
From: CMS TaskForce1 N
Sent: Monday. September 12. 2005 6:35 AM RELEASED IN FULL
To: CMS TaskForce1 D-DepCoordinator
Cc: TaskForce-1
SUbJect: End of Shift Report WHA
Jeffery A. Salaiz
September 11-12,2005
2300-0700
WHA Action Officer
1:10 a.m., passed LIMA 3925 to assistance matrix coordinator offering increased assistance of2760 elastic
bandages (4X5 yards) and 850 elastic bandages (original offer was 1600 bandages). TG will await guidance
. from FEMA on how to respond to Peru's increased offer. .
2:46 a.m., sent an email to Karl Stiller (HHS/OS) to again seek clearance on pending notification cable
accepting mental health experts from Argentina.
2:57 a.m., reply follows: .

The mental health assistance portion of this cable is one of the items scheduled for review tomorrow morning
(091205), tentatively at 11:00 byUSAID/OFDA,lllIS and the TFI Coordinator, after which they'll be able to
provide decision on acceptance (or not) of this offer. Thanks for your patience. '-- Barbara Howald, OFDA
Katrina Task Force .

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA 1
DATE/CASE ID: 11 SEP 2006 200503991 lTNCLASSIFIED
"
3 . __.
.
• UNCLASSIFIED INITIAL
,. APPR: DM
RELEASED IN FULL DRAFT: MK
CLR 1: CT
CLR 2: GF
UNCLASSIFIED CLR 3: JB
CLR 4: LH
CLR 5: JS
CLR 6: KM
TFUS01: MKOPOLOW CLR 7: HZ
.06/28/06 7-6611 CRL8: DS
TFUS01: DMCCARTHY
S/ES-O: CTRIBBLE TF:GFROWICK WHA:JBENSON

PA:LHERRMANN JFO-BATON ROUGE:JSULLIVAN FEMA!BATON
ROUGE:KMUSGROVE CA:HZOLTANSKI DHHS:DSMITH
IMMEDIATE BUENOS AIRES
E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, EAlD, AMG~, PREL, US, AR
SUBJECT: TFUS01: ACCEPTANCE OF HURRICANE KATRINA
ASSISTANCE
REFS: BUENOS AIRES 2208
1. (SBU) This is an action request - - see paras 2., 4, and

5.
2. (SBU) This cable contains the official USG reaction to

Argentine Government assistance offers for Hurricane
Katrina. Embassy Buenos Aires should deliver the points
in para 4 at the highest appropriate level on Monday,
September 12.
3. (SBD) .Please note that USG acceptance of an offer does

not mean immediate transport of the assistance. Post and
host government should work with USAID/OFDA Logistics
team.

~' '. UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 2
The situation on the ground is dynamic, and the u.S.

Government emergency response authorities continue to
determine what is required most urgently to meet the
immediate needs of those suffering from the hurricane's
impact.
We accept your generous offer of bilingual

English/Spanish-speaking mental health experts from both
,the White Helmets and the Ministry of Health. Our current
assessment is that we do not have a need at this time for
first responders or non-mental health medical
professionals and thank you for this offer.
We encourage your Government to 'identify a point of

contact for your offer of bilingual mental health
professionals and to have that individual contact the
Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) Operations
Center. OFDA Coordinator may be reached at: 703-526-2210.
End points.
5. Action request for Post: Please provide the Hurricane

Katrina Task Force, preferably via front-channel cable,.
with:
Name and contact information of host government point

of contact - preferably English-speaking.
--Name and contact info of Post's point of contact on this

matter.
yy
I: \TF1 \DOCS\ CABLES \ACCEPTANCE CABLE ARGENTINA SEPT 11..DOC
UNCLASSIFIED
, '>
Message Page 1 of2

UNCLASSIFIED
Q'Herron, Petra C
From: CMS TaskForce1 E

RELEASED IN FULL
Sent: Monday, September 12.200512:23 PM
To: 'rmtkatrina_gh@ofda.net'
Cc: 'Stitt. Tony'; Taskf'orce-t
/
Subject: FW: Specifics on Argentine offer of White Helmets team of mental health professionals for Katrina
victims . .
Hi Arjan.
Here's the specifics on the individuals. When you have reviewed. please let us know if you will be accepting. A
cable has been prepared. which will be held pending your approval and advice on whom to request. Thanks.
Sherry
sent: Monday, September 12, 2005 12:08 PM
To: TaskForce-1; Barmen; Kathleen W
Cc: Gidi, Ginny; Benson, James H; Barnes, Douglas M; Alarid, David A; Llorens, Hugo; Hall, Tim 0; Cascolla,
Angeles; Martinez, Eduardo J; Duddy, Patrick D; Walker, Ruth R; Gutierrez, Lino; rmtkatrina_gh; Sheridan, Ian M;
Smith, David B.
SUbject: For Melissa Kopolowand Kathleen Barman: Argentine offer of White Helmets team of mental health
professionals for Katrina victims
Melissa:
Below please find details on the GOA's White Helmets offer as well as an attached matrix
that provides the professional background information of the members of the proposed
team. I understand that OFDA is looking for this information before they can make final
determination on the offer. Per theirrequest, I have cc:d nntkatrina=gh@ofda.net.
Kathleen: .
Can you provide similar information for the 4 mental health experts offered by the Ministry of Health?
Thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
DAW/~st~~ ID: 25 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
• ~, - _, '4
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
eMS TaskForce1- LogA
Heading: Buenos Aires 2298 UNCLASSIFIED PRIORITY
SUBJECT: TsrUS01: ARGENTINA FOLLOW-U~ ON ACCEPTANCE OF KATRINA RELlEr orFER
REF: A SECSTATE 168672

B BUENOS AIRES 02270
C SECSTATE 167695
1. As a follow-up to the September 12 notification of the USG's acceptance of the

Argentine assistance, (Ref. B), the Ambassador spoke with Foreign Minister Bielsa on
September
13 to thank him personally for the offer of mental health experts from both the White
Helmets and the Ministry of Health to aid in the Katrina relief effort. Embassy forwarded
the Secretary's letter expressing appreciation for the assistance (Ref. A) to the Foreign
Minister on September 14.
2. As per Ref. C, the Embassy's liaisons for logistics on the Argentine mental health
teams are:
Kathleen Barmon at 011 54 11 5777 4263, barmonkw@state.gov Tim Hall at 011 54 11 5777
4467, hallto@state.gov.
The Foreign Ministry will provide an English-speaking contact for the White Helmets a~HrtJ
Ministry of Health Mental Health Team. Contact information on the liaison will be ~ ____
provided shortly.
i
I.
LLORENS
UNCLASSIFIED
-PAGE 01 BUENOS 02298 142041Z
@INFO: O(OO} E(OO) EAOX(Ol) EOIT(OO} IO(OO)

L(OO) MA(OO) NSCE(OO) P(OO) PA(OO)
PM ( 00 ) R (00 ) S ( 00 ) SP(OO) SS(OO)
SSO(OO) SSS(OO) T(OO) TFl (00)
TFMGT(OO)TFPOPA(OO)
==================== 141648L SEP 05 YNF (TOTAL COPIES:001)
@INFO: A(OO)
CMS(OO) OSCC(OO) EAO(OO) G(OO}
IRM(OO)
M(OO) R(OO) SESIRM(OO)
SSEX(OO)
SSEX(OO) 880(00)
. SS(OO)
SWCl(OO) .
==================== 142041Z SEP 05 STePS (TOTAL COPIES:OOO)
ACTION WHA-OO
INFO LOG-OO
NP-OO AID-OO A-OO CA-OO CIAE-OO DNl-OO
OOOE-OO
05-00 EUR-OO OIGO-OO FBIE-OO UTED-OO FEMA-Ol
FOE-OO
HHS-01 H-OO TEDE-OO INR-OO LAB-Ol NSAE-OO
NIMA-OO IRM-OO
OCS-OO 550-00 8S-00 ASOS-OO FMP-OO
DRL-OO
OSCC-OO G-OO ALM-OO SAS-OO SWCI-OO 1003W
------------------391r3B 142041Z /38
P l42039Z SEP 05
FM ~MEMB~SSY BUENOS ~IRES
TO SECSTATE WASHoC PRIORITY 1576

DATE/CASE In: 24 AUG 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
. '
UNCLASSIFIED
DEPT FOR WHA/BSC
TASKfORCE 1 FOR HHS LIAISON RMT KATRINA - PRASAD
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CAse, EAID, AMGT, PREL, US, AR
2
."UNCLASSIFIED
---
·UNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron, Petra C
I
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 20054:44 PM RELEASED IN FULL
To: TaskForce-1
Cc: SES-O CMS
Subject: FW: Details on the While Helmets, Offered by Argenlina ...White Helmets is Offering a
MEDICAL Team
Importance: High
Task Force Katrina: Please see message below with additional details, as requested by
the Task Force, on Argentina's offer to send a team of "White Helmets" to the United
States to as~ist with Katrina relief operations. ,~~~
Edgar L. Embrey
WHA!PPC
7-6365
-----OriginalMe~sage----
From: Benson, James H
To: WHA-PPC
Subject: FW: Details on the White. Helmets, Offered by Argentina ... White Helmets is
Offering a MEDICAL Team
Importance: High
Edgar, Please pass this to the Task Force. Thanks.
Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHA!PPC
voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450
-----original Message-----
From: Barmon, Kathleen W
To: Gomez, Heidi N; rmtkatrina_gh; Smith, David B.; Gidi, Ginny; Dajani, Dina (OPHS);
rmtkatrina_state; Barnes, Douglas M; Martinez, Eduardo J; Benson, James H
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Hall, Tim 0; Coscolla, Angeles; Possin, Brandon C
Subject: Details on the White Helmets, Offered by Argentina ... White Helmets is Offering a
MEDICAL Team
Importance: High
All,
(Note: there are t~o offers from Argentina, the White Helmets and the Ministry of
Health Medical Team. This email is about the White Helmets.
I have just had a long discussion with my assigned interlocutor in the White.Helmets
(Casco Blancos). As you are aware, this organization is associated with the UN and OAS and
has assisted in most major disasters in the last ten years. The specific offer from the
GOA is outlined below. following:
-- a six member team, all of whom have extensive experience in disaster relief. All
but one ARE MEDICAL DOCTORS, or PhD psychologists, graduated from Argentina's top medical
school with full national accreditation. One is in charge of logistics. All are highly
specialized in dealing with disaster relief, practically with counseling of victims.
-- the team is prepared to request additional support if needed, but wants to start
with a small group to get the lay of the land first. The GOA has agreed to increase the
size of the team up to 20 if requested, after the smaller team makes an assessment.
-- the team is also skilled at the distribution of medicine, medical supplies, and
DATE/CASE 10: 03 OCT 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
FW: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Ment~A.~~tM:~E FROM MEDICAL. .. Page 4 of 8
Sheridan, Ian M; Duddy, Patrick D; Roberts, Mary F; Hall, Tim 0; Coscolla, Angeles; Barmon, Kathleen W; Gidi, Ginny
(HHS); Claiborne, Candace M
Subject: FOR BRENDA AND ANNE: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams-- Actual Length of Deployment
Importance: High
Dear Brenda and Anne,
I spoke to Anne Mathews-Younes earlier today to inform her that the Argentines were willing to be deployed for up to 6
months.
The U.S. Embassy in Argentina called to clarify that while the initial offer was for six months, per their conversation with the
Argentine logistics coordinator, Carlos Zaballa, the team will be initially deployed for 15 days, and can extend for up to a
month. Based on a needs assessment, the original team could stay longer and/or bring in replacement members.
I hope this information is helpful to you.
Thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647~3402
Fax 202-736-7825
hnp:\\www.state.gQY
---Original Message----
To: Gutierrez, Lino; Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Sheridan, Ian M; Duddy, Patrick D; Roberts, Mary F; Hall, Tim 0;
Coscolla, Angeles; Barmon, Kathleen W; 'Gidi, Ginny'; Claiborne, Candace M
Cc: Anthony Speier; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; 'Thomas Washington'; DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV; Anne.Mathews-
Younes@sarnhsa.hhs.gov; Brenda.Bruun@samhsa.hhs.gov; SERC@samhsa.hhs.gov; CCSaunders@Westover.com;
edbrown@Westover.com; Katrina Working Group; Martinez, Eduardo J; Prince, Dale
Subject: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams- Ready to Go!
Dear Ambassador Gutierrez and colleagues:
I spoke with Cynthia Henson ofSAMHSA-BR who confirmed that you can announce on Friday that the Argentine team will
work in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana and that Thursday, September 29 is the arrival date that best fits the needs of the local
mental health authority in Louisiana.
Thanks to everyone for your patience and assistance!
Heidi
Heidi N. G6mez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202- 736-7825
http:\\www.state.gQY
From: Thomas Washington [mailt9:TPW~shi@dhh.l~.gQ.yl
Sent: Thursday, September 22,2005 3:0&.PM
To: DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV; Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov; Brenda.Bmun@samhsa.hhs.gov;
SERC@samhsa.hhs.gov; CCSaunders@Westover.com; edbrown@Westover.com
Cc: Anthony Speier; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; Gomez, Heidi N
Subject: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams
SERC & Westover:
RE: Argen!ffie MH Teams
Thursday, September 29, 2005, is the arrival date that best fits the needs of the local mental health authority.

Louisiana OMH
»> Thomas Washington 0912210512:16 PM »>

Consider this note as confmnation of the plan to deploy the generous Argentine offer to Jefferson Parish.

OMH - Louisiana
»> "Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSNCMHS)"

»> <Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov> 09/21/05 5:57 PM »>
Dear Colleagues - This is a team of Argentinean mental health professionals. This offer of assistance to persons impacted by
the Hurricane has been accepted by the State Department and all visas are in order. The Government of Argentina is paying
all expenses for this deployment of volunteers. All ofthese professionals are fluent in English. In addition, there may be
local needs for Spanish speaking mental health professionals that this team could address.
I have left Dr. Washington, the State of Louisiana Behavioral Healthcare Director, a lengthy voice mail outlining the
background of this generous offer from Argentina. We understand that there will be a press conference on Friday in Buenos
Aires with the American Ambassador who will accept this team's offer of assistance and deployment. In reading Dr.
Washington's needs, it seems that providing assistance in Jefferson Parish would be a possible good fit. Jefferson Parish
needs 24 hour mobile crisis teams consisting of 4 psychiatrists and 4 clinicians, in addition, they need a child and adolescent
psychiatrist and 4 psychologists serving as trauma counselors.. It appears that this group of 16 mh professionals has the
resources to provide the coverage needed in conjunction with local staff. I have asked our contractor to consider going on
site for this deployment to assist with local logistics and the coordination of meeting the mental health needs identified by Dr.
Washington. Ifthere are questions tomorrow regarding this task, please contact Brenda Bruun, Incident Commander at the
SERC. She can be reached via the SERC I I I have already reached our Westover B6
professionals and they are ready to assist in any way they can m thIS deployment. 1 do appreciate your immediate attention to
this important matter.
Anne Mathews Younes
240276-1837
anne.mathews-younes@samhsa.hhs.gov
From: SAMHSA SERC

Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005 6:33 PM
To: Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSNCMHS)
Subject: FW: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams--FOR BRENDA AND ANN
7/1912006 UNCLASSIFIED
FW: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Hea~~N~~OM MEDICAL... Page 6 of 8
From: Gomez, Heidi N [mailto:GomezHN@state.gov]

Sent: Wed 9121/20056:29 PM
To: SAMHSA SERC
Subject: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams--FOR BRENDA AND ANN
Dear Brenda and Ann:
The coordinator for both groups is Dr. Carlos ZabalIa. His contact numbers are:
B6
I will be having lunch with Dr. Zaballa today. Please let me know if there is any information you would like ine to convey to
him or if you need anything additional. Thanks!
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
hW:\\www.st~l~.gQY.

To: 'dbsmith@osophs.dhhs.gov'; 'william.steiger@hhs.gov'; 'Prasad, Arjun H. (OPHS)'
Cc: Barman, Kathleen W; 'Gidi, Ginny'; Barnes, Douglas M; Hall, Tim 0; Duddy, Patrick D; Llorens, Hugo; Claiborne,
Candace M; Coscolla, Angeles
Subject: Argentina Mental Health Teams
FW: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Ment~t~~:fffiIfE'bGE FROM MEDICAL... Page 7 of8
Dear David,
As mentioned in an earlier e-mail and voice-mail, the Argentina Mental Health teams are comfortable providing English-
language counseling to people who are calling in to discuss missing family members.
We have just been informed that there have been a few personnel changes to both teams, the details of which follows below.
The profiles of both teams are also attached. Both teams are obviously eager to finalize travel plans, and so we would
appreciate learning when SAMHSA~Baton Rouge could take the teams on.
Many thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
Bureau ofWestem Hemisphere Affairs
u.s. Department of State
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
htm:\\www.state.gQY
From: Hall, Tim 0

To: Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Barmon, Kathleen W; Llorens, Hugo; Coscolla, Angeles
Subject: RE: Katrina - profiles
Heidi,
I spoke to the joint group coordinator, Dr. Carlos Zaballa, who also plans to go as General Coordinator of Argentine
Assistance (I have included the resume I sent to you last night), and he assured me that both groups were fluent in English.
Per our earlier conversation, the number of Argentine participants (attached) has increased from fifteen (including Dr.
Zaballa) to eighteen. Listed below are the detailed changes to the lists we sent you earlier:
· ~"'., ...• ".,. ":" '", '
FW:·Creclentialling: ARGENTINA Ment~A~~~tpE FROM MEDICAL... Page 80f8
Ministry of Health - this contingent increased from seven to nine, with the addition of two new members (GOMEZ PRIETO
and SANGUINETTI). r
White Helmets - this group increased from seven to eight. Two members were not included in the final list (DE SAINT
GEOR(;mS and MARRONE) and three were added (CAZABAT, RODRIGUEZ and URQUIZA).
Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thank you for your help.
Regards,
Tim
Page 2 of 4·
UNCLASSIFIED
The White Helmets Rescue and Relief Team is a civilian group, originally financed by the Inter-American Development
Bank through an agreement with the Organization of American States; It has responded to calls for assistance by United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN's World Food Program, UN High
Commission for Refugees and has been praised by UN Secretary General Kofi Annan. The team is prepared for rapid
response and can field volunteers within 72 hours of an assistance request.
The White Helmets are highly respected for their humanitarian and disaster relief work in a large number of countries
including: Angola, Argentina, Armenia, the Balkans, Bolivia, Brazil, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Honduras,
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, East Timor, Ecuador, EI Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Fiji,
Guyana, Haiti, Iran, Jamaica, Kosovo, Lebanon, Mozambique, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
The team has offered a group of seventeen mental health professionals, all English speaking and with excellent credentials, to
assist in treating victims in the Katrina aftermath. All have considerable field experience and are prepared to offer
psychological services, including victim counseling. They are also prepared to do other work as required such distribution of
medical supplies, storage, or even food distribution. The Government of Argentina will fund all their expenses. Per the U.S.
Embassy in Argentina's conversations with the Argentine logistics coordinator for the team, Carlos Zaballa, the team will be
initially deployed for 15 days, and can extend for up to a month. Based on a needs assessment, the original team could stay
longer and/or bring in replacement m e m b e r s . · .
Below is a 2005 report on the Argentine White Helmets.
White Helmets
Update
January 2005
The present report is for the use of White Helmets Commission officials, diplomats and any other official related to the White
Helmets Initiative.
SUMMARY OF INSTITUTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Agreement with OAS
On March 25th, 1998, an agreement was signed between the Government of Argentina and the Organization of American
States on donation and use of specific contributions by the Argentine Republic to the White Helmets Special Fund:
On July 1st, 1999, a Regional Technical Cooperation agreement was signed between the OAS General Secretariat and the
IADB (Inter American Development Bank). Within the agreement framework, the IADB resolved a non-reimbursable
contribution ofU$ 750,000, or its equivalent in any convertible currency, for the execution of White Helmets Volunteers
operations within the continent. This is an important first step towards the integration of a fund, administrated by the OAS, to
finance humanitarian actions through White Helmets.
Secretary General of the United Nations visits Argentina.

During his speech before the Argentine Council for International Relations (CARl) on 16 July 1998, Mr. Kofi Annan praised
the contribution of the White Helmets Initiative in Emergency assistance. He visited CAECOPAZ (Argentine Training
Center for Peace Operations), where he met with the former President of the White Helmets Commission. On that occasion,
Mr. Annan praised Caecopaz facilities, which he considered very convenient not only for the Blue Helmets training and
White Helmets Volunteers induction sessions, but also for the benefit of the NGOs that work with the United Nations.
I
Agreements with uNESCO and WFP

The head of the Secretariat for International Humanitarian Assistance and the White Helmets Coinrnission signed inter-
institutional collaboration agreements with the UNESCO (with headquarters in Paris) and the World Food Program (WFP,
with headquarters in Rome) on September 22nd and 24th, 1998, respectively. These agreements ratify the growing
recognition achieved by the WHI throughout the United Nations System and the express decision to complement the already
existing organizations within the international humanitarian assistance scenario.
UNCLASSIFIED Page 30f4
At the end of April 1999, UNHCR and WFP sent an appeal through UNV concerning the serious hwnanitarian situation in
the Balkans. The WHC identified volunteers corresponding to the profiles required by these organizations; four of them went
with UNHCR and two with WFP (with WFP financing).
AGFUND and White Helmets

Since 1999, the necessary docwnentation is being exchanged with the Arab Gulf Foundation for United Nations
Development in order to reach an agreement to fmance White Helmets operations in places and activities of mutual interest.
V Ministerial Meeting of the Peace Zone and South Atlantic Cooperation

During this meeting it was agreed that Argentina would chair the Peace Zone and South Atlantic Cooperation until the year
2000, when a new meeting would take place in Benin. One of the most significant outcomes was the incorporation ofthe
White Helmets Initiative in point 11 of the Action Plan. It should be noted that a special mention was made by Brazil in
support of the White Helmets Initiative during the plenary debate.
Agreement with the Ministry of Defense

Within the operational framework of the Commission, a cooperation agreement was signed with the Ministry of Defense.
The Ministry, through the Joint General Staff, will coordinate the identification ofhwnan resources (volunteers from the
Armed Forces), and -through the Argentine Joint PKO Training Center- will provide the instruction of these volunteers
according to required technical and professional aptitudes. Final clearance is to be given by the WHC. Within this agreement
framework, a White Helmets demining project was launched in January on the Nicaragua-Honduras border.
UNV Security Enhancement Workshop

This regional initiative was the latest in a series of security enhancement workshops undertaken by the UNV Program during
1998 in collaboration with UNDP, UNSECOORD and UNHCR. The workshop helped secure a better knowledge offield
security issues and the logistics coordination requirements in each case.
Federal Emergency Plan

This Head of Emergencies Cabinet initiative is being fmancially backed by the Inter American Development Bank (IADB).
Since December 1998, the White Helmets Commission has taken part in meetings with other concerned government areas to
review a draft Plan. U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency officials are assisting in the task.
White Helmets indicated its ability to mobilize highly qualified volunteers and proposed sharing its database of volunteers
and human resources with the Emergency Cabinet (GADE). As a result of these meetings, a Federal Emergency System
Decree Project has been drawn up. . ,
In this system, the White Helmets Commission is included as a "base organization", and its President can be called upon by
the Head of Cabinet to take part in the GADE when deemed necessary.
Visit of the President of Germany

Mr. Roman Herzog visited Argentina on March 3rd, 1999. The White Helmets issue was included in his work agenda
through previous contacts made by Commission officials with German authorities from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and
of External Cooperation.
White Helmets introduction to the European Parliament

Invited by the Human Rights Sub-Commission, of the European Parliament's Commission on Foreign Affairs, Safety and
Defense, the White Helmets Commission introduced the Initiative in Brussels in mid March, 1999. This presentation served
to expand information on the Initiative regarding such topics as: the prospects and mechanisms for cooperation proposed by
the WHI, the scope of the UN General Assembly Resolutions, volunteer selection mechanisms and the criteria for deciding
on its involvement in certain areas. Similarities between the Parliament's initiative to promote the establishment ofa
"European civilian peace corps" and the White Helmets, in its deployment of humanitarian assistance activities in
reconstruction and conflict prevention, were noted by an European Parliament official.
Seminar on peace keeping and humanitarian assistance

White Helmets participated in this Seminar, which took place in New Delhi from the 16th to the 19th of March, 1999. The
need to strengthen collaboration between countries was analyzed, with an emphasis made on political, diplomatic, military
and humanitarian aspects. Work groups were formed to study the African case, and the WH delegation reported on the
Initiative's experience in hwnanitarian demining in Angola. Argentina's increasingly active participation in Peace Operations
was also mentioned, as was White Helmets, following the UN General Secretary's request.
1_
UNCLASSIFIED Page 4 of4
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
http;\\www.state.gov
--~-Original Message-----
From: JOHN KRENTEL [mailto:JBKRENTE@dhb.la.gov]
Sent; Tuesday, September 27, 2005 10:30 AM
To: Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Anthony Speier; Cheryll Stephens; Robert Fisher; Thomas Washington
Subject: Fwd: Scanned Document
. Please see the La. Governor's Executive Order issued recently on credentialing medical professionals during the disaster
relief efforts.
Please contact me with any questions in this regard.

\
Thank you again for your help.
Page lof5
UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FULL
Hart, Geneva R
From: Barmon, Kathleen W(Buenos Aires)

Sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 2:42 PM
To: Martinez, Eduardo J; Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Hall, Tim 0; Heartney, Edward P; Singer, Marsha L; Claiborne, Candace M;
Katrina Working Group; Hudak, Patrick M
,Subject: RE: Follow-up: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTION WHA REP
This sounds good ... it would be good if we accepted the Argentine donation for Katrina/Rita... from the political standpoint. ..
besides, I'm sure the beef would be wetcomed as well,

sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005 3:01 PM
To: Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Barmon, Kathleen W; Hall, Tim 0; Heartney, Edward P; Singer, Marsha L; Claiborne,
Candace M; Katrina Working Group; Hudak, Patrick M .
Subject: RE: Follow-up: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACITON WHA REP
Heidi,
I was able to find only one organization that is accepting in-kind donations of food items. I spoke to Randy Stark at Second
Harvest National Food BanI< Network who handles meat donations for the organization. IFF (if and only if) the corned beef can be
imported into the United States, his organization would be in position to accept the donation. However, Second Harvest would not
be able to cover the cost or the logistics of getting the product to the United States. Was it ever mentioned if Swift Armour would
cover transportation costs and logistics? '
Randy advised that the corned beef would be directed to foodbanks where Katrina/Rita victims have been disbursed (e.g.,
Houston, Atlanta). While all the individuals serviced at the food banks wouldn't necessarily be hurricane victims, the, NGO assures
that they would be included among the people that the food items are distributed to. You may want to check with the embassy to
see if the company will be ok with this in addition to covering transportation and logistics of the products to the United States.
i
Patrick Hudak in EBgave me the name of a person at USDA to begin inquiring about possible SPS restrictions on corned beef
from Argentina. Let me give her a call.
Eduardo
From: Norman, Alain G

sent: Thursday, October 13, 2005.1:16 PM
To: Martinez, Eduardo J; Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Barmon, Kathleen W; Hall, Tim 0; Heartney, Edward P; Singer, Marsha L; daiborne,
Candace M; Katrina Working Group
Subject: RE: Follow-up: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTION WHA REP
Here it is':
D" IF Ie'" SF IQ_ 30 A I Ie 2906 200 5039 9 1
To:, Martinez, Eduardo J; Gomez, Heidi N
UNCLASSIFIED
6/22/2006
Page 20fS
UNCLASSIFIED
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Barman, Kathleen Wi Hall, Tim 0; Heartney,Edward P; Singer, Marsha L; Claiborne,
candace M; Katrina Working Group
Sure, although I'd suggest we see if the Argentines would be willing to give to Central America in lieu of the U.S. at this point.
I'll hunt for the list now.
. From: Martinez, EduardoJ(WHA/EPSC)

To: Gomez, Heidi N; Norman, Alain G
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Barman, Kathleen W; Hall, Tim0; Heartrley, Edward P; Singer, Marsha l; Claiborne,
candace M; Katrina Working Group
Alain: Nadia Mitchem at the American Red Cross just informed to me that they are not taking in kind donations. She also
mentioned that she had emailed you previously a list of organizations that were taking such donations. Can you forward me that
email?
From: Gomez, Heidi N .

To: Martinez, Eduardo J; Katrina Working Group
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Barmon, KathJ~n W; Hall, Tim 0; Heartney, Edward P; Singer, Marsha L; Claiborne,
Candace M
SUbject: RE: Follow-up: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTION WHA REP
I'll fax it to you now.
Heidi . I
Heidi N. Gomez
U.S; Department of State
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825

To: Gomez, Heidi N; Katrina Working Group
Cc: Uorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Barman, Kathleen W; Hall, Tim 0; Heartrley, Edward P; Singer, Marsha L; Oaiborne,
candace M
Subject: RE: FoJlow~up: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTION WHAREP
Heidi: Can you email me or fax me the dip note (7-6408) so that I can work with Marsha Singer in EB to check with USDA
on relevant import requirements?
As the USG is no longer accepting donations, this will have to go to a willing NGO. Let me check with the American Red Cross:
From: Gomez, Heid.i N
UNCLASSIFIED
6/22/2006
Page 3 of 5
UNCLASSIFIED
To: Katrina Working Group
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Barmon, Kathleen W; Hall, TIm 0; Heartney, Edward Pi Singer, Marsha Li Claiborne,
Candace M
Subject: Follow-up: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef! ACTION WHA REP
Dear Colleagues:
We have received a dip note from the Argentine Embassy reiterating the Swift-Armour company's offer to donate a container with
2000 boxes of 12 oz. corned beef cans, with 24 cans per box for the Hurricane Katrina and Rita victims. The dipnote provides a
copy of the technical specifications in Spanish. According to the dipnote, the product donated 'meets U.S. sanitary requirements
and is marketed in the United States.
What steps do we need to take to determine if we can accept the donation? If we can accept, what steps should we take to
ensure delivery?
Thanks!
Heidi
HeidiN. G6mez
.Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs
Tel. 202-647~3402
Fax 202-736-7825

sent: Wednesday, September 21,20052:18 PM
To: Gomez, Heidi N
SUbj~: RE: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTION WHA REP
Heidi,
Marsha said to get as much info as possible from the Embassy. on the products and the manufacturing site. Once we have the
info she will ask her contacts at USDA about any restrictions.
ed

sent: Wednesday, September 21,20051:57 PM
To: Singer, Marsha L
Cc: Heartney, Edward P; Gomez, Heidi N
Subject: FW: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTION WHA REP
Marsha,
Can you clarify on what you mean by "products-only"?
ad
6/22/2006
UNCLASSIFIED
Page 40f5
UNCLASSIFIED
From: Singer, Marsha L
To: Martinez, Eduardo]
Subiect: RE: Argentine private sector offer of corned beefl ACTION WHA REP
Yes, you have reached the right person. Do you know what type of products-only corned beef and the plants they are produced
at?
From: Martinez, Eduardo J(WHNEPSC)
sent: Wednesday, September 21,20059:24 AM
To: Singer, Marsha L
Cc: Heartney, Edward P; Gomez, Heidi N; Corneille, Faith C
Subiect: F'N: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTlON WHA REP
Marsha,
As I just mentioned in my voice mail message, I'm trying to get information on possible USDA restrictions on the
importation of beef products from Argentina. Ed Heartney in your office suggested that I get in contact with you as you may
be able to refer me to information on any such restrictions.
Thank you in advance!
Eduardo J. Martinez
Macroeconomic/Finance Officer
Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination
U.S.State Department
2026474408
martinezej@state.gov

To: Gomez, Heidi N
Subiect: FW: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ ACTION WHA REP
Heidi,
Just spoke to OFDA again. Officially we are no longer accepting offers. OFDA is under the impression that the shipment
will never meet USDA requirements should it be sent to a private group or charity; however, they are not a hundred percent
sure of this. Call me so that we can plot on how to proceed with this.
ed
7-4408

Sent: Tuesday, September 20/20059:14 AM
To: McCarthy, Deborah A; Gomez, Heidi N; Katrina Working Group
CC: Llorens, Hugo; Ball, Perry E; Eppler, Dale B; Barnes, Douglas M; Nolan, David Z
Subject: RE: Argentine private sector offer of ,corned beef/ ArnON WHA REP
Just spoke to OFDA Should have info on how to proceed shortly.
Eduardo J. Martinez
UNCLASSIFIED
6/22/2006
Page 5 of 5
UNCLASSIFIED.
Katrina Virtual Working Group

WHA Representative
202'6474408
martinezej@state.gov
From: McCarthy, Deborah A

sent: Tuesday, September 20,20058:47 AM
To: Gomez, Heidi N; Katrina Working Group; Martinez, Eduardo J
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Ball, Perry E; Eppler, Dale' B; Barnes, Douglas IVI; Nolan, David Z; Katrina Working Group
Subject: RE: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef/ AmON WHA REP .
WHA REP - EDUARDO MARTINEZ.

MISSED YOU AT MEETING YESTERDAY. NEED TO GO TO OFDA REP TO CHECK. I DOUBT IFTHIS IS ACCEPTED,
AS IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH USDA HOOPS. PLS CHECK AND GET BACK TO HEIDI. AS THIS IS PRIVATE, WE
DO NOT NEED TO DO A FORMAL RESPONSE TO GOA. IF FEMA PROCESS TAKES A WHILE, WE MIGHT SUGGEST
THEY GIVE IT TO AN NGO.

sent: Monday, September 19, 20056:47 PM
To: Katrina Working Group; Martinez, Eduardo J
Cc: Llorens, Hugo; Ball, Perry E; Eppler, Dale B; Barnes, Douglas M; Nolan, David Z
Subject: Argentine private sector offer of corned beef
Dear Deborah and Ed:
In esc Office Director Doug Barnes' courtesy call on Argentine Ambassador Bordon, the Ambassador informed us that the
Argentine private sector would like to donate two containers of corned beef to the'Katrina relief effort. We thanked them for
their offer and told them that we would inform you.
Any thoUghts on how to proceed?
Thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. G6mez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
UNCLASSIFIED
6/22/2006
and Mexico
UNCLASSIFIED
Christa - Does this take care of your inquiry regarding the Argentinean offer?
Rick Yoneoka
WHA Desk
Task Force
From: Gidi, Ginny [mailto:GGidi@opOPHS.DHHS.GOV]
To: Benson, James H; Gomez, Heidi N; Barmon, Kathleen W; Martinez, Eduardo J; Sheridan,
Ian M; TaskForce-I; Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M
Subject: RE: WHA - Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from Argentina
and Mexico
All,
I have had two discussions with the Argentines (Vizzotti and Lebovich)in which they made
their offer very clear to HHS. Specifically, they were offering up 6 epidemiologists and
4 mental health experts. HHS is very interested in accepting the 4 mental health experts
regardless of their language capabilities. We believe they can serve Spanish-speaking
Hispanics affected by the hurricane. At this point, we are not interested in the
epidemiologists. According to Kathleen, Argentina apparently is also offering "White
Helmets". I am unclear as to what this means or whether that may refer to the
epidemiologists.
AS far as Mexico's offers go, I will have to get back to you shortly on that. THere have
been multiple offers from different parts of the Ministry.
More again soon.
Ginny Gidi
International Health Officer for the Americas Office of Global Health Affairs HHS
From: Benson, James H
To: Gomez, Heidi N; Barmon, Kathleen Wi Martinez, Eduardo J; Sheridan, Ian M; TaskForce-I;
Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Gidi, Ginny
Sent: 9/7/2005 4:21 PM
SUbject: RE: WHA - Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from Argentina,
and Mexico
Kathleen, ' I think the question from the task force below answers the question in your
earlier e-mail. The assistance has not been accepted formallyy.et, and the ARC questions
relate to the Ministry of Health team.
-Jim Benson
Deputy Director
WHA/PPC
Voice: (202) 647-9964 Fax: (202) 736-7450
-----Origina'l Message-----
To: Barmon, Kathleen W; Martinez, Eduardo J; Sheridan, Ian M; Benson, James H;
TaskForce-li Llorens, Hugo; Gomez, Heidi N;' Barnes, Douglas M; Gidi, Ginny
Subject: FW: WHA - Request for clarification on medi~al assistance offers from Argentina
and Mexico
FYI.
Heidi N. Gomez
Argentina Desk Offier
u.s. Department of State
5
UNCLASSIFIED
Tel. 202-647-3402
UNCLASSIFIED
Fax 202-736-.7825
From: CMS TaskForce1N
To: Sheridan, Ian M; Royster, Steven B
Cc: WHA-PPC; WHA-BSC; WHA-MEX; TaskForce-l
Subject: WHA - Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from Argentina and
Mexico
Ian & Steve,
Below is a request for more information/clarification concerning offers of assistance from

Mexico and Argentina.
I would appreciate your help finding POCs and answers. Thanks,
Rick Yoneoka
WHA Desk
Task Force
---:-Original Message-----
From: rmtkatrina state. [mailto:rmtkatrina state@ofda.net]
Sent: wednesday,-september 07, 2005 3:56 PM
To: TaskForce-1
Cc: rmtkatrina_gh
Subject: Attn: WHA Liaison: Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from
Argentina and. Mexico
Rick,
AS per our telcon, I would appreciate your assistance in obtaining clarification on a

couple otofters of medical assistance.
Based on the latest matrix of international offers, HHS has decided to accept offers for
medical support 'from Argentina and Mexico, but requests clarification/additional
information as follows:
OFFER:
Argentina: Govt. of Argentina is prepared to send a multi-disciplinary team that has
expertise in social and psychological assistance related to disaster relief.
REQUEST for CLARIFICATION:
From the Argentinians, we need to know the size of the· Argentinian team and whether or not
they are bilinigual.
OFFER:
Mexico: Secretariat of Health offering four health.teams of four with varied disciplines
and expertise in disasters (i6 individuals total).
Accepting psychological experts only.
From the Mexicans, we need to know whether they are still interested in donating their
psychosocial services if we are only Lnt e re st ed in this piece of their package. If they
are still interested, we need to know the size of the team they are sending and whether
they are. bilinigual.
We need these numbers to start looking for placements

, and places for them to stay.
Thanks in advance for your assistance with tracking down the requested information.
UNCLASSIFIED
Regards,. UNCLASSIFIED
Christa Skerry
STATE SICRS (Liaison at the USAID/RMT operations Center) 703-526-2130
, 7
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED INITIAL
APPR: DM
RELEASED. IN FULL DRAFT: MK
CLR 1: CT
CLR 2: GF
UNCLASSIFIED CLR 3: JB
CLR 4: LH
CLR 5: JS
CLR 6: KM
TFUS01: DMCCARTHY CLR 7: HZ
06/28/06 7-6611
I CRL 8: DS
TFUS01: .MKOPOLOW
S~ES-O: CTRIBBLE TF:GFROWICK WHA:JBENSON

PA:LHERRMANN JFO-BATON ROUGE:JSULLIVAN FEMA/BATON
R0UGE:KMUSGROVE CA:HZOLTANSKI DHHS:DSMITH
I
IMMEDIATE BUENOS AIRES
EI.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AEMR, ASEC, CASC, EAID, AMGT, PREL, US, AR'

I .
SUBJECT: TFUS01: ACCEPTANCE OF HURRICANE KATRINA

ASSISTANCE
I
REFS: BUENOS AIRES 2208
J
51.
(SBU) This is an action request -- see paras 2,4, and
I
21~ (SBU) This cable contains the official USG reaction to
Argentine Government assistance offers for Hurricane
1 .
Katr~na . Embassy Buenos Aires should deliver the points
•I
~n para 4 at the highest appropriate level on Monday,
skptemher 12.
3. (SBU) Please note that USG acceptance of an offer does

not mean immediate transport of the assistance. Post and
host government should work with USAID/OFDA Logistics'
team.

. DATE/CASE 10: 27- SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
· .~ UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED 2
The situation on the ground is dynamic, and the U.S.

Government emergency response authorities continue to·
determine what is required most urgently to meet the
it:nmediate needs of those suffering from the hurricane's
impact.
We accept your generous offer of bilingual

English/Spanish-speaking mental health experts from both
the White Helmets and the Ministry of Health. Our current
assessment is that we do not have a need at this time for
first responders or non-mental health medical
professionals and thank you for this offer.
We encourage your Government to identify a point of

contact for your offer of bilingual. mental health
professionals and to have that individual. contact the
Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) Operations
Center. OFDA Coordinator may be reached at: 703-526-2210.
End points.
5. Action request for Post: Pl~ase provide the Hurricane

Katrina Task Force, preferably via front-channel cable,
with:
Name and contact information-of host government point

of contact - preferably English-speaking.
--Name and contact info of Post's point of contact on this

matter.
yy
\\SESSFP22U\TASKFORCE\TFI\DOCS\CABLES\ACCEPTANCE CABLE
DRAFT-NIACT-ARGENTINA SEPT II.DOC
UNCLASSIFIED
'r
O'Herron, Petra C
From: . CMS TaskForce1N

Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 20054:18 AM
To: 'sonia.nieuwejarr@dhs.gov'
Cc: TaskForce-1; Hays, Clayton P; Gomez, Heidi N; Sheridan, Ian M; Taskf-orce-t
Subject: FW: Donor Matrix 09-05-05 23:00 (Argentine Hurricane Assistance)
Sonia,
Can you verify the status of the GOA's offer to provide a social/psychological assistance team for hurricane relief efforts?
(See the attached donor matrix.) Its not clear from the matrix if FEMA or anyone else within the USG has been in conlact
with the GOA in order to get the needed background information on the team requested by the American Red Cross.
Please advise the task force if State assistance is required in obtaining this information.
Eduardo Martinez (TaSK Force - WHA)
From: CMS TaskForcelG
Sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 12:54 AM
To: PM-ActionTeam
Cc: TaskForce-l
Subject: FW: Donor Matrix 09-05-05 23:00
Dave - The latest donor matrix, from the ODFA rep before going off duly. PM Rep.- Alf Cooley
---Original Message---
From: CMS TaskForce3E
sent: Tuesday, september 06, 2005 12:04 AM
To: Yamamoto, Donald Y(AF/FO); AF CAT; Benson, James H; C; Camp, Donald A (SNFO); Curran, Ben; D; Dowdy, Felix A; E; Finney,
John; Gastright, John A; Goldberg, Robert; Gottlieb, Greg; Gray, Gordon (NEA/FO); Greene, Richard Lj Grey Frandson; Harty,
Maura A(CA); Hirsch, Michael; Isaacs, Ken; JOCTeam Chief; John Simon; jsac.j5Io; I 1M; Marmaud, B6
Karen; NAVYCAT Cell; Navy CAT cell; Nieuwejaar, Sonja; Norman, Alain G; nsc-whsr@nsc.eop.gov; OFDARMT; P; PA SM GROUP;
plans@pentagon.of.mil; PRM-Hurricane Katrina; R; Ranneberger, Michael E(AF Front Office); Reside, Julie M(PNPRS); Rocca,
Christina 8; satcnes, Penny C; SES-CR; Shapiro, Charles S; SfATE.Iimg; Stephens, D Kathleen; Stitt, Tony; Stuart Nightingale;
TaskForce-I; Turner, Ubby; Volker, Kurt D; Ward, celeste J; Wayne, E Anthony; WHA-Staffers
Cc: TaskForce-!; Michael Niles; BRUCE HOWARD; Thomas, Harry K; Bass, John R (OPS); sovse, Matthew G; (A-Staffers Mailbox;
lakhdhir, Kamala S (EAP/FO); OfDA Katrina oos: PRM; Ruppe, Adele E; SES_DutyDeputies; SES-Une_Only; SES-Q_CMS; TFl
Subject: Donor Matrix 09-05-05 23:00 '
International Offers
or Assist...
r>;
UNCLASSIFIED
DATE/CASE In: 29 NOV 2006 200503991 . )
. " . UNClASSIFIED
the Chilean offer, cuz what they're offering is pretty paranel to what we said we need. Mexico and Canada seem ok.
. Any others who have not been responded to? Forget offers of pharmaceuticals, doctors, technical teams, or any type
of food. Need this info QUICK.
UNCLASSIFIED
."
UNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron.Petra C
DE52-
From: Hudak, Patrick M
To: (U) Nishiura, Katherine; 'Elizabeth_Leier@ustr.eop.gov'; 'Ronald.Lord@fas.usda.gov';
Kopolow, Melissa J; CMS TaskForce1 N; TaskForce-1 ..
Cc: Honan, Kevin E
Subject: FW: URGENT: WHA Assistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to (Argentina)
All,
As you'll see In line 87 of the allachad matrix lb. ~1a HieaDS have _red the U S suoar as relief for Katrina victims I B5
·····Original Message-----
From: Martinez, EduardoJ(WHA/EPSC)
sent: Friday, september 09, 2005 4:27 PM
To: Hudak,PatrickM
Subject: FW: URGENT: WHAAssistance Offers not yet Aa:epted or Responded to (Argentina)
RELEASED IN PART
From: Gomez, Heidi N B.5
sent: Friday, September 09,20053:23 PM
To: eMSTaskForcelN; TaskForce-l
Cc: Embrey, Edgar l; Martinez, Eduardo J; Bames, Douglas M; Uorens, Hugo; Borders, Michael R; Barmon, Kathleen W
Subject: RE: URGENT: WHAAssistance Offers not yet Accepted or Responded to (Argentina)
Dear Task Force: Colleagues:
Is this the final word on all offers of doctors and medical teams or just for the Info Memo to the Secretary?
Also, the matrix sent out earlier today (attached below) states that HHS is interested in accepting the Argentine Ministry of
Health's offer of 4 menial health experts. Has this interest been firmed up into an actual acceptance?
Thanks!
Heidi
Working --
International Offer..,
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
From: CMS TaskForcelN

sent: Friday, september 09, 2005 2:43 PM
,b
..~ UNCLASSIFIED
- .i s s ue >- - ...-
...----> fs.-Che -.Argent-i-na·~of.-f.e.:r;.-sGi-l-l-an ...__ -.--...-.----.--..---------.------.
>
>We're writing an 1M to S in the next 45 mins. our asking her to call Sec. Chertoff and I
ask why he has not accepted offers of assistance from so many countries. Each
geographical bureau gets to name 2 countries. I'd like to highlight the Chilean offer,
cuz what they're offering is pretty parallel to what we said we need,. Mexico and Canada
seem ok. Any others who have not been responded to? Forget offers of pharmaceuticals,
doctors, technical teams, or any type of ~ood. Need this info QUICK.
i
!
I
126
'UNCLASSIFIED
t ,.,
..,. UNCLASSIFIED
Oliva, Amber M
From: PATH Telegram Delivery RELE~SED IN PART
Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 3:15 PM' B6
To: UNGA P; Agor, Christina J; Aidekman, David S; Almodovar, CindyTrodden; Amadeo,
Stefanie; Anthony. Tanya M; Archer, Louise V; Areias, Allison V; Barks-Ruggles, Erica;
Beecroft, Robert S; Beecroft, Robert S; Bockner, Matthew A; Boluda, Gladys; Bradley, Tobin
J; Brewer, Maria E; Brose, Christian D; Buangan, Richard L; Chacon, Arnold A; Chagnon,
Natalie L; Cohen, James A; Davidson, Lynne A; Deatherage, B. Todd; Dilworth, Alison E; D-
NEA Duty; Donovan, Jason A; Dunne, Charles W; Echeverria, Cynthia C; Elliott, Susan M;
Erath, Tara F; E Telegrams; Feeley, John D; Fitzsimmons, Elizabeth N; Fritz, Jonathan D;
Fuhrer, Mary Jo; Gisvold, Lisa C; Gunderson, Brian; Hambrick, Barbara K; Hardy, Elsie;
Harris, Michelle F; Hayden, Caitlin M; Horton, Brenda D; Hughes, Inez I; Irey, Kelley K;
Jackson, Charlie G; Jackson, Charlie G; Johnson, Jennifer L; Kilroy, Bernadette A; Lacey,
Edward J; Levy, Philip I; Lineberry. Laura E (Liz); Manning, Robert A; Markey, Daniel S;
Martinez, Elizabeth L; Matera, Michael A; McCray, I Jean; McCray, I Jean; Meyer, Susan M;
Mills, Richard; Oldham, Linda; Oldham, Linda; Padilla, Chris; PATIjI :~. : : ; : :" ::~:~SP; B6
PATH SS; PATH SWO; PATH T; Perez, Carol Z; Perina, RUdolfV;l_~ _
Plowden, Marisa L; P-WHA Duty; Raphael, Lois; Rasamimanana, '-r.Jl!r'P'I'I'l'm'ZI:II'"T"",.-,::;r,ol"rl"l'l5l""'" ,Craig
L; Schneider, Caroline M; SES-Line Officer2 TDY; SES-Line Officer3 TOY; SESO Telegrams;
Smith, Taiya M; Snyder, April C; Soko/sky, Richard D; SES-Line Assistant TDY; SES-Line
Officer TDY; TF1 - Telegrams; TF2 - Telegrams; TF-MGT - Telegrams; TF-PDPA-
Telegrams; Tomlinson, Christina; Waller, Robert P; Ward, Celeste J; Watzlavick, Paul S:
Wicks, Daniel H; Wilkinson,James R; Winter, Roger P •
Subject: SECRETARY'S REPLY TO CONDOLENCE MESSAGE REGARDING HURRICANE
KATRINA FROM FM BIELSA (S/ES 200519863)
SUBJECT: SECRETARY'S REPLY TO CONDOLENCE MESSAGE REGARDING HURRICANE KATRINA FROM FM

BIELSA (S/ES 200519863)
1. PLEASE DELIVER FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY RICE TOFM RAFAE~ 'BIELSA. THE
DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE THE TEXT OF THE SECRETARY'S MESSAGE- BUT HAS NO
OBJECTION IF THE GOVERNMENT OF ARGENTINA WISHES TO DO SO.
THERE WILL BE NO SIGNED ORIGINAL.
2. BEGIN TEXT:
DEAR MR. MINISTER:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY REGARDING THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY
HURRICANE KATRINA, ONE OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANES IN U.S. HISTORY. IT IS
COMFORTING TO HAVE SUCH CARING PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE REACHING OUT TO US AT THIS
TRAGIC TIME.
I DEEPLY APPRECIATE ARGENTINA'S OFFER TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. ARGENTINA HAS BEEN AND WILL
CONTINUE TO BE A GREAT HELP IN THE RELIEF EFFORT.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONCERN.
SINCERELY,
CONDOLEEZZA RICE
END TEXT.
RICE
UNCLASSIFIED
-PAGE 01 STATE 168672 131908Z
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UNCLASSIFIED
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168672
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5:SBEECROFT(DRAFT) WHA:DBARNE8 S/ES-CR:NLCHAGNON
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o 131906Z SEP 05
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRE5 IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STATE 168672
E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: OPDC, PREL, AR
UNCLASSIFIED
other items as needed.
UNCLASSIFIED
the GOA will fund the team's transportation arid other expenses
team members speak passable English, some may speak excellent English, but this has
not been confirmed as yet. They would be well used with Spanish speaking victims.
The Ambassador and DCM believe we would be well served by the White Helmets are they
represent the cream of the crop here and are recognized internationally for their work on
disasters.
Kathleen Barmon
ESTH Counselor
011 5411 5777 4263 (direct)
From: Barmon, Kathleen W
To: Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Smith, David B.; Dajani, Dina (OPHS); rmtkatrina_statei rmtkatrina_~h; Llorens, Hugo;
Barnes, Douglas M
Subject: RE: White Helmets info.
All, I'm in touch with the White Helmets and will have your answer shortly.
Kathleen W. Barmon
Counselor for Environment, Science,
Technology and Health
U.S. Embassy Argentina
Tel 011 5411 5777 4263
Fax 011 5411 5777 4212
From: Gomez, He idi N .
To: Barmon, Kathleen W
Cc: Smith, David B.; Dajani, Dina (OPHS)i rmtkatrina_state; rmtkatrina_gh; Llorens, Hugo;
Barnes, Douglas M
Kathleen:
Can you please answer the questions below?
,Many thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
From: rmtkatrina_gh [mailto:rmtkatrina_gh@ofda.net)
Sent: Thursday, September DB, 2005 2:14 PM
To: Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Smith, David B.; Dajani, Dina (OPHS)i rmtkatrina_state
Subject: FW: White Helmets info.
Dear Heidi,
UNCLASSIFIED
I left you a VM about this as well, b\.P'i~~~~!f~o determine whether or not we
will be able to utilize the "White Helmets"·frbm Argentina in Katrina relief efforts, we
need more information before we can departmentally approve this offer for aid.
Specifically, we need to know:
- eaxactly how many people would be deployed in this group
- what their specific skill sets are (beyond "top notch")
- what proposed functions they would serve
- is the entire group bilingual.
Please help us clarify the specifics of the "White Helmet" offer, so HHS can determine
whether or not we may utilize this offer. I'd also appreciate it if you could "reply all"
in your response. Many thanks,
Arjun Prasad
HHS Liason- RMT Katrina Task Force
From: smith, David B. [mailto:DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV]
Sent: Thursday, September 08, 2005 2:03 PM .
To: rmtkatrina gh
Subject: Re: White Helmets info.
Arjun, I'm not clear that the 6 epis and 4 MH are the White Helmets.
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless H~ndbeld
From: rmtkatrina gh <rmtkatrina gh@ofda.net~
To: Smith, David-B. <DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV~
Sent: Thu Sep 08 14:02:16 200~
David,
The emails below state that the offered group is composed of 4 mental health experts and
6 epidemiologists, all are bilingual. But I will try and get more info ~n their specific
skills and proposed functions. Also, Patrick will be here in 15 minutes to take over this
shift at the command center-- I'll metro downtown to Humphrey, unless you specifically say
otherwise. will probably get there sometime between 3:30-4:00.
Arjun
From: Smith, David B. [mailto:DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV]
To: rmtkatrina gh
Subject: Re: White Helmets info.
Arjun, I don't find this helpful. We need to know numbers, skills, proposed functions,
whether they speak English. Then we need to pass it by.our operations people to detepmine
if they would be needed.
Sent from my BlackBerry Wireless Handheld
From: rmtkatrina gh <rrntkatrina gh@ofda.net>
To: Smith, David~B. <DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV>
Sent: Thu Sep 08 13:46:50 2005
Subject: White Helmets info.
David-
See all below for more specific information about Argentine White Helmets.
Let me know if this suffices, or whether you need even more specifics on their
credentials.
Arjun
3
'UNCLASSIFIED
-c; .•
UNCLASSIFIED
'Hachey, Shirley P
RELEASED IN FlTLL ~ 00)- /9%&3 QW9·
Heading:· State 168672 UNCLASSIFIED IMMEDIATE
SUBJECT: SECRETAR~'S REPLY TO CONDOLENCE MESSAGE REGARDING HURRICANE KATRINA FROM FM

BIELSA (S/ES 200519B63)
1. PLEASE DELIVER FOLLOWING MESSAGE FROM SECRETARY RICE TO FM RAFAEL BIELSA. THE
DEPARTMENT DOES NOT PLAN TO RELEASE THE TEXT OF THE SECRETARY'S MESSAGE BUT HAS jNO
OBJECTION IF THE GOVERNMENT OF ARGENTINA WISHES TO DO SO.
THERE WILL BE NO SIGNED ORIGINAL.
2. BEGIN TEXT:
DEAR MR. MINISTER:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTFUL MESSAGE OF SYMPATHY REGARDING THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY'
HURRICANE KATRINA, ONE OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE HURRICANES IN D.S. HISTORY. IT IS
COMFORTING TO HAVE SUCH CARING PEOPLE FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE REACHING OUT TO US AT THIS
TRAGIC TIME.
I DEEPLY APPRECIATE ARGENTINA'S OFFER TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. ARGENTINA HAS BEEN AND WILL
CONTINUE TO BE A GREAT HELP IN THE RELIEF EFFORT.
I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CONCERN.
SINCERELY,
CONDOLEEZZA RICE
END TEXT. DATE/CASE ID: 28 JUL 2006 200503991
RICE
UNCLASSIFIED
-PAGE 01 STATE 168672 131908Z
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@INFO: CMS (00) DSCC(OO) G(OO) IRM(OO) PA(OO)

PRS(OO) R(OO) R(OO) SSC(OO)
S5 (OOl SS(OO) S5(00) SWCI (00)
WO (00)
==:;;;.====:.~::.=====_==s=:=s~== 131910Z SEP 05 STePS (TOTAL COPIES:OOO)
ORIGIN 55"':00
INFO LOG-DO NP-OO AID-OO AMAD-OO CIAE-OO CPR-DO DODE-OO
WHA-OO DS-OO FBIE-OO UTED-OO FEMA-01 VC-OO H-OO
TEDE-OO INR-OO VCE-OO NSAE-OO PA-OO PRS-OO IRM-OO
SSC-OO SSO-DO FMP-OO BBG-OO R-OO lIP-OO OSCc-oo
PRM-OO G-OO SAS-OO swcr-oo ID01R
168672
SOURCE: KODAKA.013004
DRAFTED BY: TEXT RECEIVED FROM S -- 09/07/05, 7-3402 APPROVED BY: S/ES: JDFEELEY
UNtLASSIFIED
I UNCLASSIFIED
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,!j/ES-O: PMA'iER
------------------38415C 13i909Z /38
o 131906Z SEP 05
FM SECSTATE WASHOC
TO AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STATE 168672
(
E.O. 12958: N/A

TAGS: OPDC, PREL, AR
.'
UNCLASSIFIED
• f-
lJNCLASSIFIED
..... """,~
.'
Bentes, Julianna W
LT303
From: Hall, Tim O(Buenos Aires) . RELEASED IN PART
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 9:35 AM
To: Gomez, Heidi N; Barman, Kathleen W B6
Cc: Martinez, Eduardo J; McCarthy, Deborah A; Katrina Working Group
SUbject: RE: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams/ MESSAGE FROM MEDICAL
'DIRECTOR
Heidi,
We met the team at the airport in Buenos Aires and provided the following' just prior to
.their departure:
1. To Dr. Zaballa: SAMHSA contact information and address of their hotel. Although this
information was provided to Dr. Zaballa earlier, this was an additional courtesy copy.
2. Argentine/U.S. flag lapel pins, which the majority wore on the flight ..
3. An envelope containing a map of the U.S., "EUA Mapa con datos en sinthesis", and a
booklet, "Retrato de los EUA", describing the history and demographics of the U.S. Both
are official DoS publications.
Thanks for all of your hard work on this!
Regards,
Tim
From: Gomez, Heidi N .
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 10:19 AM
To: Barmon,Kathleen W; Hall, Tim 0
Cc: Martinez, Eduardo J; McCarthy, Deborah A; Katrina working Group
Subject: FW: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams/ MESSAGE FROM MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Kathleen--
Can you tell me what, if anything, we were able to provide prior to the White Helmets'
departure?
Than.ks!
Heidi
~
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
(~~M~)
Fax 202-736-7825
----_//
From: McCarthy,. Deborah A
Cc: Llorens; Hugo .
Subject·: FW: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams/ MESSAGE FROM MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Can we get all this today?

1
DATE/CASE ID: 31 AUG 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
" From: Robert Fisher [mailto:RFisher@dhh.la.gov]
Cc: Anthony Speier; Brandon Romano; Cheryll Stephens; Eddie Jenkins; JOSEPH VINTURELLA;
Thomas Washington; ltynes@jphsa.org
Subject: RE: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams
Dear Ms McCarthy,
I am the Medical Director for the Office of Mental Health in Louisiana. I have been asked
by,the Assistant Secretary of this Office to coordinate, with colleagues you have already
been in contact with, the credential process for our Argentinean his credentialing effort'.
We would anticipate an expeditious processing with little or no delay.
To again note the items oj most importance. to us:
1) The Physician's full name and title with supporting photo-identification;
2) A copy of the Physician's Unrestricted Medical License (ideally certified or notarized,

but not essential in this instance)
3) A copy of each person's resume' (to assist in placement).
I understand that this team will be working in Jefferson Parish, an area along with
contiguous Parishes that has suffered greatly during these storms.
Thank you very much for your assistance in this most kind and generous offer from the
Argentina Mental Health Team
Cordially,
Robert B Fisher, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director Louisiana Office of Mental Health- (DHH)
»> ';McCarthy, Deborah A" <McCarthyDA@state.gov> 09/27/05 9: 05 AM »>

I hope this can move swiftly.
--~--original Message-----
From: Thomas Washington (mailto:TPWashi@dhh.la.gov)
Sent:' Tuesday, September 27 2005 9: 18 AM
I
To: Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov; Brenda.Bruun@samhsa.hhs.govj SERC@samhsa.hhs.govj

Gomez, Heidi N; CCSaunders@Westover.comj edbrown@Westover.com
Cc: Anthony Speierj Cheryll Stephensj Gilda Armstrong-Butlerj JOHN KRENTELj Robert Fisherj
GGidi@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV; patricia.Bransford@samhsa.hhs.govj Sylvia.Fisher@samhsa.hhs.govj
Katrina Working Group
Subject: Credentialling: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams
Importance: High
** High Priority **
The "credentialling" process for out-of:-state personnel is evolVing, but it is clear that
a local credentialling process will apply to the Argentine teams. As an interim process,
please forward copy of license, photo rD and resume' to:
Dr. Robert Fisher

OMH Medical Director
1201 Capitol Access Road
P. O. Box 4049
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4049
rfisher@dhh.1a.gov
ph: 225-342-9263
fax: 225-342-5066
2
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
• ·It is highly likely that the credentialling process will apply to all other out-of-state
personnel as well .
. Thank you,
Tom washington,. Ph.D.

Louisiana OMH
»> "Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSA/CMHS)"

»> <Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov> 09/26/05 5:46 PM »>
UPDATE: The Argentina team is arriving this Wednesday (9/28) at noon in New Orleans. A
SAMHSA staff member, Dr. sylvia Fisher will be on site to meet them and will be staying
with them for most of the time that they will be working in· Jefferson Parish. They will
be staying at the Le PavilIon Hotel, 8333 Poydrais Street, New Orleans. The phone number
of the hotel is 504 581 3111. Dr Fisher's work phone number is 240 276-1923. She will be
given a government cell phone and I will get that number to you as soon as we have it. We
expect that Dr. Fisher will be conveying daily reports back to the SAMHSA Emergency
Response Center and we would be please to share that information with you if you wish.
Thank you for all of your assistance in arranging this generous volunteer opportunity.
Anne Mathews Younes, Ed.D.

Director, Division of Prevention, Traumatic Stress & Special Programs 240 276-1837
Sent: Friday, September 23, 2005 11:36 AM
To: SAMHSA SERC;" Thomas Washington; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; Anthony Speier; Mathews-
Younes, Anne (SAMHSA/CMHS); Bruun, Brenda (SAMHSA/CMHS); CCSaunders@Westover.com;
edbrown@Westover.com
Cc: Smith, David B. (HHS); Katrina Working Group; Martinez, Eduardo J; Prince, Dale;
Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Sheridan, Ian M; Duddy, Patrick D; Roberts, Mary F;
Hall, Tim 0; Coscolla, Angeles; Barmon, Kathleen w; Gidi, Ginny (HHS); Claiborne, Candace
M
Subject: FOR BRENDA AND ANNE: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams-- Actual Length of Deployment
Importance: High
Dear Brenda and Anne,
I spoke to Anne Mathews-Younes earlier today to inform her that the Argentines were
willing to be deployed for up to 6 months.
The U.S. Embassy in Argentina called to clarify that while the initial offer was for six
months, per their conversation with the Argentine logistics coordinator, Carlos Zaballa,
the team will be initially deployed for 15 days, and"can extend for up to a month. "Based
on a needs assessment, the original team could stay longer and/or bring in replacement
members.
I hope this information is helpful to you.
Thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. G6mez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
3 "
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED·
Sent: Thursday, september 22, 2005 4:43 PM
To: Gutierrez, Lino; Llorens, Hugo; Barnes, Douglas M; Sheridan, Ian M; Duddy, Patrick D;
Roberts, Mary F; Hall, Tim 0; Cosbolla, Angeles; Barmon, Kathleen W; 'Gidi, Ginny';
Claiborne, Candace M I ·
Cc: Anthony Speier; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; 'Thomas Washington'; DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV;
I
Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.goy; Brenda.Bruun@samhsa.hhs.gov; SERC@samhsa.hhs.gov;
CCSaunders@Westover.com; edbrown@Westover.com; Katrina Working Group; Martinez, Eduardo J;
Prince, Dale
Subject: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams-- Ready to Go!
Dear Ambassador Gutierrez and colleagues:
I spoke with Cynthia Henson of SAMHSA-BR who confirmed that you can announce on Friday
that the Argentine team will work in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana and that Thursday,
September 29 is the arrival date that best fits the needs of the local mental health.
authority ·in Louisiana.
Thanks to everyone for your patience and assistance!
Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
U.S. Department o~ State
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
-----Original Message---~-
from: Thomas Washington [mailto:TPwashi@dhh.la.gov]
To: DBSmith@OSOPHS.DHHS.GOV; Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov;
Brenda.Bruun@samhsa.hhs.gov; SERC@samhsa.hhs.gov; CCSaunders@Westover.com;
edbrown@Westover.com
Cc: Anthony Speier; Gilda Armstrong-Butler; Gomez, Heidi N
SUbject: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams
SERC & Westover:
RE: Argentine MH Teams
Thursday, September 29, 2005, is the arrival date that best fits the needs of the local
mental health authority.

Louisiana OMH
»> Thomas Washington 09/22/05 12:16 PM »>

Consider this note as confirmation of the plan to deploy. the generous Argentine offer to
Jefferson Parish.
Tom Washington, ph.D.

OMH - Louisiana
»> "Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSA/CMHS)"

»> <Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov>09/21/05 5:57 PM »>
Dear Colleagues - This is a team of ·Argentinean mental health professionals. This offer of
assistance to persons impacted by the Hurricane has· been accepted by the State Department
and all visas are in order. The Government of Argentina is paying all expenses for this
deployment of volunteers. All of these professionals are fluent in English. In addition,
there may be local needs for Spanish speaking mental health professionals that this team
could address.
4
UNCLASSIFIED·
UNCLASSIFIED.
,
I have left Dr; Washington, the State of Louisiana Behavioral Healthcare Director, a
lengthy voice mail outlining the background of this generous offer from Argentina. We
understand that there will be a press conference on Friday in Buenos Aires with the
American Ambassador who will accept this team's offer of assistance and deployment. In
reading Dr. washington's needs, it seems that providing assistance in Jefferson Parish
would be a possible good fit. Jefferson Parish needs 24 hour mobile crisis teams
consisting of 4 psychiatrists and 4 clinicians, in addition, they need a child and
adolescent psychiatrist and 4 psychologists serving as trauma counselors. It appears that
this group of 16 mh professionals has the resources to provide the coverage needed in
conjunction with local staff. I have asked our contracto~ to consider going on s~te for
this deployment to assist with local logistics and the coordination of meeting the mental
health needs identified by Dr. Washington~ If there are questions tomorrow regarding this
1
task, please contact Brenda Bruun; Incident Commander at the SERC. She can be reached via
the SERC or by her cell phone at 1_ I have already reached our Westover
professionals and they are ready 0 assist Inny way they can in thlS deployment. I do
B6
appreciate your immediate a tt errt i on to this important matter.
Anne Mathews Younes'
240 276-1837
From: SAMHSA SERC

Sent: Wednesday, September 21, 2005'6:33 PM
To: Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSA/CMHS)
Subject: ~FW: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams--FOR BRENDA AND ANN

Sent: Wed 9/21/2005 6:29 PM
To: SAMHSA SERC
Subject: ARGENTINA Mental Health Teams--FOR BRENDA AND ANN
Dear Brenda and Ann:
The coordinator for both groups is Dr. Carlos Zaballa. His contact numbers are:
Mobile: B6
Office: 011-54-11-4310-2108 or 011-54-11-4310-2107.
I will be having lunch with Dr. Zaballa today. Please let me know if there is any
information you would like me to convey to him or if you need anything additional.
Thanks!
5
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Heidi N. Gomez
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825

Sent: Tuesday, september 20, 2005 3:36 PM
To: 'dbsmith@osophs.dhhs.gov'; 'william.steiger@hhs.gov'; 'Prasad, Arjun H. (OPHS)'
Cc: Barmon, Kathleen W; 'Gidi, Ginny'; Barnes, Douglas M; Hall, Tim 0; Duddy, Patrick D;
Llorens, Hugo; Claiborne, Candace M; Coscolla, Angeles
Subject: Argentina Mental Health Teams
Dear David,
As mentioneo in an earlier e-mail and voice-mail, the Argentina Mental Health teams are
comfortable providing English-language counseling to people who are calling in to discuss
missing family members.
We have just been informed that there have been a few personnel changes to both teams, the
details of which follows below. The profiles of both teams are also attached. Both teams
are obviously eager to finalize travel plans, and so we would appreciate learning when
SAMHSA-Baton Rouge could take the teams on.
Many thanks!
Heidi
Heidi N. Gomez
Bureau of western Hemisphere Affairs
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
6
lTNCLASSIFIED
'. '
UNCLASSIFIED
'." http:\\www. state .gov
From: Hall, Tim 0

To: Gomez, Heidi N
Cc: Barmon, Kathleen W; Llorens, Hugo; Coscolla, Angeles
Subject: RE: Katrina - profiles
Heidi,
I spoke to the joint group coordinator, Dr. Carlos Zaballa, who also plans to go as
General Coordinator of Argentine Assistance (1 have included the resume 1 sent to you last
night), and he assured me that both groups were fluent in English.
Per our earlier conversation, the number of Argentine participants (attached) has
increased from fifteen (including Dr. Zaballa) to eighteen. Listed below are the detailed
changes to the lists we sent you earlier:
Ministry of Health - this contingent increased from seven to nine, with the addition of
two new members (GOMEZ PRIETO and SANGUINETTI) .
White Helmets - this group increased from seven to eight. Two members were not included
in the final list (DE SAINT GEORGES and' MARRONE) and three were added (CAZABAT, RODRIGUEZ
and URQUIZA) .
Please let me know if you have any additionil questions. Thank you for your help.
Regards,
Tim
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED Page 1 01'3
PAGES MISSINGRELEASED IN PART

Norman, Alain G B6 .
From: Martinez, Eduardo J(WHAlEPSCj ~------ _
To: Norman, Alain G
Cc: Gomez, Heidi N; Singer, Marsha L; Yu, Alan K; HUdak, Patrick M
SUbject: RE: Argentine donation request
Thanks. Marsha Singer in EB who was out of the office today should be back tomorrow and hopefully should be
able to shed some light on the right contacts at USDA.
Patrick: I dropped off on your desk some additional pages from the dipnote that we received from the Argentine
Embassy a few minutes ago. ~
In case in anyone has questions for me tomorrow, f should be reachable on my ~ !for most of B6
the day. .. .
--/
I

To: Martinez, Eduardo J; Susan.Sadocha@FAS.USDA.GOV
ce Gomez, Heidi N; Singer, Marsha L; Yu, Alan K
Subject: RE: Argentine donation request
(
Ed,
I know you've been having the devil of a time getting anything out of the USDA. You might try emailing these two
folks (as well):
dwm@usda.gov (Name, title, function unknown)
and:
Jeremy Stump
Homeland Security Director
Office of the Secretary
U.S. Department of Agriculture
DATE/CASE ID: 13 SEP 2006 200503991
(w)(202t720-3275
(ell I B6
Jeremy.Stump@usda.gov
Perhaps one of them could help further.
Cheers,
Alain
.From: Martinez, Eduardo J(WHA/EPSC)

To: Susan.Sadocha@FAS.USDA.GOV
Cc: Gomez, Heidi N; Singer, Marsha L; Norman, Alain G
SUbject: RE: Argentine donation request
10114/2005
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Choi, Martino I
From: eMS TaskForce1 M

Sent: Tuesday, September 06,20058:15 PM
To: Offutt, Denison K; Embrey, Edgar L(HST Rm 6913); TaskForce-1
Cc: SES-O_CMS; TaskForce-1; TaskForce-1
Subject: RE: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Absolutely. Thank you.
Mary Joe
From: Offutt, Denison K

sent: Tuesday, September 06, 2005 8:10 PM
To: CMS TaskForce1M; Embrey, EdgarL(HST Rm 6913); TaskForce-1
Cc: SES-O_CMS; TaskForce-1
Subject: RE: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS AND MEDICAL AID
Let's make sure the offer is put in the matrix....
From: CMS TaskForce1M

To: Embrey, EdgarL(HST Rm 6913); TaskForce-'i
cc: SES-O_CMS; TaskForce-1
SUbject: RE: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS ANDMEDICAL AID
Ed, regarding BA's request to provide medical personnel - we are not accepting any medical offers (personnel or drugs) at
this time, with the exception of forensics; however, the response to SA would not point blankly say it that way. Their offer
is appreciated and we will get back to them when/if the need exists. As you mentioned licensure for medical staff - it may
be beneficial to know for future reference, if any of the medical personnel offered were trained in the US.
RJ
Mary Joe
from: Embrey, Edgar L

sent: Tuesday, september 06,20056:01 PM
To: TaskForce-'1
Cc: SES-Q_CMS
Subject: FW: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS ANDMEDICAL AID
Task Force Katrina: Please see message below from Embassy Buenos Aires regarding Argentine Government offer of
assistance in Katrina relief. . --,
Edgar L. Embrey
WHAlPPC
Ext 7-6365
I
To: Benson, JamesH; WHA-PPC EXchange Group; WHA-EPSC Exchange Group
Cc: Barmon, Kathleen W .
Subject: ARGENTINA OFFERS WHITE HELMETS ANDMEDICAL AID
Just making sure you all saw this cable from Embassy BA that just came in, which spells out what we had heard from the
Embassy of Argentina the last couple of days.
Ian
Ian M Sheridan 09/0612005 05:38:38 PM From DB/lnbox: Ian M Sheridan

. 1
DATE/CASE ID: 11 SEP 2006 200503991
.UNCLASSIFIED
'UNCLASSIFIED
RELEASED IN FlJLL
eMS Press Guidance !J ?;:l1'

September 1,2005 (12:15)
Hurricane Katrina: Relief & Foreign Nationals
Q: Which countries or organizations have offered assistance, and what have they
offered?
A: .We have received offers of assistance from over twenty countries and
.international organizations. The offers range from search and rescue and
communications ~quipment to supplies and resources to support displaced
persons.
[BACKGROUND FOR PAJPRESS: FEMA has asked us not to provide the

specifics on what has been offered - they would prefer we leave it as general offers
or a more general statement that various governments have offered a range of
assistance, including such things as...]
1. Russia: boats and aircraft

.2. Japan: tents, blankets, generators
3. Canada: equipment and other resources; variety of assistance offered by both
provincial and federal governments
4. France: a fire brigade, and two NGOs want to help
5. Honduras: limited general assistance
. 6. Germany: communication equipment
7. Venezuela: President's Office and U.S. Embassy in Washington offer
assistance directly to the Louisiana Governor, to
be channeled through the Venezuelan state oil-company's U.S. subsidiary, Citgo
8. Organization of American States (OAS) - this may not be public yet, but we heard
from our OAS Mission that OAS plans to make a symbolic cash offer (along the
lines of $25K)
9. Jamaica: general offer of assistance
10. NATOIEADRCC (Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Center)
general offer of assistance for any unmet needs
11. Australia: emergency managers to assist w/community recovery
12. UKfNorthem Ireland power company offering emergency tearns
to restore electrical service
13. Netherlands general offer of assistance
14. Switzerland disaster relief platoons
15. Greece .private offer of cruise ships for housing
16~ Hungary private offer medical teams
17. Colombia disaster assistance teams
18. Dominican Republic general offer of assistance
19. EI Salvador general offer of assistance
20. Mexico general offer of assistance

REVIEW AllTHORlTY: FRANK TUMMINIA
DATE/CASE In: 24 AUG 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
,
21. China Per EAP - $100,000 to American Red Cross .
(presented byPRC Charge d'Affaires)
22. RoKorea Per EAP - Rescue Team and cash/or contribution
23. Israel PerNEA
24. UAE PerNEA
Q: Have we received condolence messages from other governments? (How many,

from which countries)
A: Countries offering assistance have all offered condolences and many of the
condolence messages have been delivered directly to our embassies
overseas. At this point, we do not have finn details on how many or from
which countries.
Q: Procedurally, how does State handle these offers? Are we passing them off to
FEMA?
A: State is assisting FEMA by collecting and coordinating information on

international offers of assistance and passing them on to FEMA.
• FEMA has not yet identified or communicated to us specific requirements

for which we need foreign assistance.
• If a decision is made to accept any of these offers, FEMA will contact those
who have offered assistance.
Q: If determined to be necessary, does FEMA accept offers of assistance through

State or directly? I
A: If a decision is made to accept any of these offers FEMA will contact those
who have offered assistance.
Q: I Has any foreign assistance been accepted/requested?
A: At this time, the U.S. Government has not made any formal request for
foreign assistance nor has any been accepted. Emergency managers are still
determining what needs exist and if any nf those needs cannot be met by
existing resources.
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED
Foreign Nationals
Q: Are foreign govemmentscontacting us about their citizens?
A: Representatives of 3S countries have contacted us for information about the

welfare of their nationals. Those inquiries are received by the Department's
Crisis Management Support Office, which depending on the nature/urgency
of the situation, has forwarded them to Coast Guard authorities involved in
rescue operations and to FEMA and the American Red Cross.
Q: Which countries have contacted us re their nationals?
A: Argentina, Australia, Aus.tri3, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Denmar~ France,

42 .• '--
G.!!=-many,-Honduras, Hunga!y, Iceland, I~.!!.(t,ItalY;-Japan,Jordan,

Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway',.R.oland;-Romania,-R.uss~~,
Si'iigajiore, Slovenia,
~-- -
Sp-alif;SweaeD;Switzerland,
._-~
Thailand, Tunisia~ Turkey,
United King'ilom, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
.._---- - '---~
Q: Are we able to offer any special assistance in response to these.diplomatic

requests?
A: Emergency responders are prioritizing assistance to aU affected individuals

based on need, regardless of nationality.
• We are ensuring that FEMA and local authorities are aware of foreign
visitors requiring assistance as those needs are brought to our attention.
Q: Do we have any idea/estimate of how many foreigners might be affected?
A: While numbers remain unclear and the extent of how foreigners are affected
is unknown, foreign governments have forwarded to the Department several
hundred names of their nationals they are attempting to account for.
UNCLASSIFIED
..J
UNCLASSIFIED
Choi, Martino I
From: CMS Task Force1D-D~p6odrdinator
Sent: Monday, September 12, 20057:11 AM
To: WHA-STAFFERS; WHA-AS-DASes Meeting-DL; Embrey, Edgar L{HST Rm 6913); Fuller,
Carol S{MS Room 6913)
Cc: Benson, James H{HST Room 6913); TaskForce-l'
Subject: Update of Task Force Katrina Activity Sunday, 9-11 1500 to Monday 9-12 0700
The following are some highlights of Task Force Activity since Sunday afternoon (9/11)
GENERAL.DEVELOPMENTS
• The Task Force Coordinator, OFDAIUSAID and FEMA will hold a conference call later lhis morning to discuss the
status of offers and resolve outslanding questions.
WHA SPECIFIC ISSUES
• HHS accepted the Argentine mental heallh experts. The acceptance cable is awaiting HHS clearance.
•
• FEMA is interested in Ecuador's latest offer of plywood. The Task Force is waiting for further details from Quito
regarding the offer before acting.
•
• Offers of perishables, like bananas from Ecuador and Panama, are being declined.
•
• Peru augmented its offer of bandages from 1600 to 2760.
Jim Benson
Deputy Coordinator
TFUS01
UNITED STATES DEP ARTMENT OF STATE

1
DATE/CASE 10: 11 SEP 2006 200503991 UNCLASSIFIED
·. ,
UNCLASSIFIED
O'Herron, Petra C
From: eMS TaskForce1 N

Sent: Monday, September 12,20052:26 PM RELEASED IN FULL
To: Creamer, John S
Cc: TaskForce-1
Subject: FW: WHA - Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from Argentina and Mexico
. John,
This is the last of them ...
Again, any assistance would be great!
Melissa Kopolow
TF WHA Action Officer ., ~ -~-"-. .. I
-----Original Message----- ,.~*."~,,~. ....;,,c"""'-""'~~~ ~""""?'" i

To: Barmon, Kathleen W; Martinez, Eduardo J; Sheridan, Ian M; Benson, James Hi
TaskForce-I; Llorens, Hugo; Gomez, Heidi N; Barnes, Douglas M; Gidi, Ginny
Subject: FW: WHA - Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from Argentina
and Mexico
FYI.
HeidiN. Gomez
Argentina Desk Offier
Tel. 202-647-3402
Fax 202-736-7825
From: CMS TaskForcelN
Sent: Wednesday, September' 07, 2005 4:13 PM
To: Sheridan, Ian M; Royster, Steven B
Cc: WHA-PPC; WHA-BSCi WHA-MEXi TaskForce-l
Subject: WHA - Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from Argentina and
Mexico
Ian & steve,
Below is a request for more information/clarificatio~concerning offers of assistance from

Mexico and Argentina.
I would appreciate your help finding POCs and answers. Thanks,
Rick Yoneoka
WHA Desk
Task Force
~----Original Message-----
From: rmtkatrina state [mailto:rmtkatrina state@ofda.net]
Sent: Wednesday,-September 07, 2005 3:56 PM
To: TaskForce-l
Cc: rmtkatrina gh
Subject: Attn:-WHA Liaison: Request for clarification on medical assistance offers from
Argentina and Mexico

DATE/CASE ID: 25 SEP 2006 200503991
UNCLASSIFIED
'/
UNCLASSIFIED
Rick,
As per our telcon, I would appreciate your assistance in obtaining clarification on a

'coupl~ of offers of medical assistance.
Based on the latest matrix of international offers, HHS has decided to accept offers for
medical support from Argentina and Mexico, but requests clarification/additional
information as follows:
OFFER:
Argentina: Govt. of Argentina is prepared to send a multi-disciplinary team that has
expertise in social and psychological assistance related to disaster relief.
From the Argentinians, we need to know the size of the Argentinian team and whether or not
OFFER:
Mexico: Secretariat of Health offering four health teams of four with varied disciplines
and expertise indisaste~s (16 individuals total). Accepting psychological experts only.
From the Mexicans, we need to know whether they are still interested in donating their
psychosocial services if we are only interes~ed in this piece of their package. If they
. are still interested, we need to know the size of the team they are sending and whether
We need these numbers to start looking for placements and places for them to stay.
Thanks in advance for your assistance with tracking down the requested information.
Regards,
Christa Skerry
STATES/CRS (Liaison at the USAID/RMT Operations Center) 703-526-2130
UNCLASSIFIED
lJNCLASSIFIED
Choi, Martino I DPSl
From: Gisvold. Lisa C RELEASED IN FULL
. Sent: Monday, September 12,200511:41 AM
To: Bass, John R (OPS); CMS TaskForce1-Director; CMS TaskForce1C-Coordinator; CMS
TaskForce1D-DepCoordinator
Cc: SES-O CMS
Subject: HHS/OFDA/State: Mental Health Experts, Forensics, Jordan
Summary of 11:00am conference call
Participants: State, HHS, OFDA
1. Mental Health Experts: HHS is interested in mental health experts from Argentina,
Colombia, and Mexico if they are trained mental health professionals and bilingual. State
Action: WHA rep on TF checking on qualifications and language skills. Hope to get back to
HHS by 13:00 today.
2. Jordan: HHS doesn't need field hospitals but we worked out a compromise and HHS is
willing to accept first aid kits but without the medicine. State Action: NEA rep on TF
checking on possibility of substituting first aid kits in lieu of field hospitals.
3. Forensic experts: No call forward from HHS due to licensing issues. However,S Thai
forensic experts arrived yesterday with the PM and HHS agreed to put them to use.
Lisa
Lisa Gisvold
Program Officer
Crisis Management Support
Operations Center
US Department of State
Tel: 202-647-7640

REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK TUMMINIA 1
DATE/CASE 10: 24 OCT 2006 200503991
lJNCLASSIFIED

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TF US 01SitrepOI0 Page 10f2

From: CMS TaskForce1B-OMS

. Please post Sitrep 10 to the Web. It wasn't posted earlier.

SITUATION REPORT NUMBER 010

ASSISTANCE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS

u.s. GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS

Choi, Martino I '

From: CMS TaskForce1D-DepCoordinator

Hurricane Katrina Task Force

• Pending items include

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMAINING SHIFTS

• See above items on bureau reports and outgoing cable tracking

\\sESSFPll \Task Forces\Task Force 1\Documents\Deputy Coordinator\09 11 2005

Drafted by: WHAICAN Alan Holst

Government of Colombia:1 Ito B6

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Hurricane Katrina Task Force

Deputy Director Shift Report

* pending items include

a Have we accepted a German offer of cell phone and internet equipment?

o Are we accepting or declining Canadian ship offer of HMCS Protector?

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1

* FEMA has agreed to let OFDA accept Sweden's offer of telecommunications

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR REMAINING SHIFTS

* See above items on bureau reports and outgoing cable tracking

\\SESSFPl1\Task Forces\Task Force I\Documents\Deputy Coordinator\09 11 2005

Drafted by: WHA/CAN Alan Holst

From: Martinez, Eduardo J(WHA/EPSC)

From: Harris, Mlchelle'F

Cleared version attached.

« File: Summary of Foreign Offers Accepted or Plan to Accept 9-22-05 1400.doc»

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Sure. You know where to reach me.

From: Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSNCMHS) [mailto:Anne.Mathews-Younes@samhsa.hhs.gov]

Anne Mathews Younes

From: McCarthy, Deborah A [mallto:McCarthyDA@state.gov]

From: SAMHSA SERe [mailto:SERC@SAMHSA.hhs.gov]

From: Martinez, Eduardo J [mailto:MartinezEJ@state.gov]

Can we get all this today?

We would anticipate an expeditious processing with little or no delay.

To again note the items of most importance to us:

1) The Physician's run name and title with supporting photo-identification;

~) A copy of each person's resume' (to assist in placement).

»> "McCarthy, Deborah A" <McCartbyDA@state.gov> 09127/059:05 AM »>

Dr. Robert Fisher

Tom Washington, Ph.D.

»> "Mathews-Younes, Anne (SAMHSAlCMHS)"

Anne Mathews Younes, EdD.

From: Bass, John R (OPS)(S/ES-O)

from: Cronin, Susan P.

Please advise ASAP.

On acknowledgement of Venezuela, I trust NSC will decide.

From: Garza, Daniel [mailtD:DanieLGarza@who.eop.gov]

>From: Martinez, Eduardo J

Details on the GOA's White Helmets offer:

From: Sheridan, Ian M

From: Gomez, Heidi N

From: Martinez, Eduardo J

Is the Argentina offer still an issue?

From: QvIS TaskForcelN

From: Gomez, Heidi N

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE

To: SECSTATE WASHOC - IMMEDIATE

From: AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES (BUENOS AIR 2208 - IMMEDIATE)