Dominican Republic |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declaration:
Tropical Storms
OFDA Response:
Water, Shelter, Emergency Relief Supplies
OFDA Preparedness:
Disaster preparedness, capacity building
Latest OFDA Report:
Floods and Tropical Storm Fact Sheet #3 (57kb
PDF)
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Tropical Storms, 09-03-2008
Between August 15 and 16, Tropical Storm Fay entered the Dominican Republic from the east, moving across the island of Hispaniola and through Haiti, resulting in three continuous days of heavy rainfall and flooding. On August 25, as Tropical Storm Gustav neared the country’s southwestern corner, additional rainfall led to increased flooding in the area and the evacuation of affected populations. As reported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, on August 26, a rise in the level of the Ozama River provoked a mudslide, killing eight people and injuring two in the area of Guadalupe. According to the Dominican Government’s Emergency Operations Center (COE), Tropical Storm Gustav displaced 6,000 people, damaged 1,203 houses, and caused 739 people to move to temporary shelters. Both storms damaged infrastructure, including nine of the country’s water systems. By September 2, a third storm, Tropical Storm Hanna, had passed north of the island, bringing additional rainfall and high winds to areas previously affected by Tropical Storms Fay and Gustav.
On September 3, U.S. Ambassador P. Robert Fannin issued a disaster declaration due to the effects of the tropical storms. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Dominican Republic for the local procurement and distribution of emergency relief supplies, including clean water storage containers, personal hygiene kits, and bedding items. The USAID/OFDA regional office in Costa Rica, in coordination with staff from USAID/Dominican Republic, continue to monitor the situation as additional storms approach.
Additional Disaster Declaration:
Tropical Storm, 10-31-2007
Beginning October 28, heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Noel caused severe flooding in the southern, central, and western regions of the Dominican Republic. The tropical storm and associated flooding killed 41 people, with 38 others reported missing, and displaced more than 50,000 individuals, according to initial reports from the Government of the Dominican Republic (GODR). In addition, flooding damaged numerous roads and bridges and affected the country’s electrical power infrastructure. The tropical storm also damaged agricultural crops, including approximately 95 percent of banana, plantain, and tomato plantations in the southern provinces of Azua and Peravia, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The COE directed relief operations in coordination with GODR ministries and worked with non-governmental organizations, including the Dominican Red Cross.
On October 31, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Roland W. Bullen declared a disaster due to the effects of the tropical storm and floods. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $100,000 through USAID/Dominican Republic for the local purchase and transport of potable water, shelter materials, and other emergency relief supplies. On October 31, USAID/OFDA began deploying a five-person assessment team to coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo and USAID/Dominican Republic in determining whether additional assistance is needed.
For information on USAID's hurricane recovery and reconstruction programs, please see here.
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