The American people,
through USAID, are providing $50,000 in humanitarian assistance to
populations affected by tropical storms in the Dominican Republic.
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, 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 is providing $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 is in close contact with staff
from USAID/Dominican Republic and continues to monitor the situation to
determine whether additional assistance is needed.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide
for nearly 50 years.
SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development
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