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U.S. Providing Humanitarian Assistance to the People of the Dominican Republic
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2004-040
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2004
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - Heavy rains and persistent flooding in the town of Jimani in the southwest of the Dominican Republic near the border with Haiti have reportedly caused more than 145 deaths and forced the evacuation of more than 13,000 people. In addition, the Dominican Republic's Emergency Operations Center indicates that 250 people are missing and meteorologists anticipate additional rainfall for the next several days. The flooding has also resulted in power outages and significant crop and livestock losses, as well as damage to highways and village roads isolating communities from relief efforts.
Due to the magnitude of damage caused by the flooding, on Wednesday, May 26, 2004, U.S. Ambassador to the Dominican Republic Hans H. Hertell issued a disaster declaration. In response to the devastation, the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided $50,000 to the USAID mission in the Dominican Republic to assist in the disaster response efforts. The mission will provide $40,000 to World Vision to purchase and distribute emergency non-food relief supplies, including hygiene kits, mosquito nets, cooking kits, bedding, plastic sheeting for temporary shelters, and small potable water containers. USAID will use the remaining $10,000 to procure fuel supplies directly for use by the Government of the Dominican Republic to facilitate road repair and to improve humanitarian access to the affected areas.
In addition, a USAID regional advisor and consultant are in the Dominican Republic conducting ongoing assessments of the natural disaster. USAID is working in conjunction with Dominican disaster relief officials and will travel to Jimani to assist with the damage assessments.
Donations
The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. Two such organizations that are accepting donations for their response efforts are:
American Red Cross, (800)435-7669, www.redcross.org
World Vision, (888) 511-6598, www.worldvision.org
USAID encourages cash donations. They allow aid professionals to procure the exact items needed and reduce the burden on scarce resources and can be transferred quickly and without transportation costs. Cash donations also support the economy of the disaster-stricken region and ensure culturally, dietary and environmentally appropriate assistance.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation. For more information on USAID's ongoing efforts in the Dominican Republic, please visit www.usaid.gov.
The U.S. Agency for International
Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance
worldwide for more than 40 years.
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