UN appeals for $14 million to aid the Dominican Republic

(New York, 6 November 2007): The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), together with the Government of the Dominican Republic, today issued an appeal for $13,985,200 to provide humanitarian assistance over the next six months to survivors of Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic.

On October 29, Noel hit the Dominican Republic, causing major flooding, landslides, and the destruction of infrastructure throughout the country. An estimated 80% of the country's territory has been impacted by the storm and ensuing floods. As many as 28 out of the 32 provinces, including the capital region, have been affected. The authorities have confirmed 85 fatalities, at least 48 persons are still missing, and almost 4,406 have been rescued. Of the 66,608 persons who have been displaced, 23,375 are in official temporary shelters, while the remaining 67% are staying with relatives or friends. However, the total number of people affected is much greater than the number of the displaced. Approximately 16,652 homes have been partially destroyed and 46 bridges and highways have been affected. On October 31, Leonel Fernández Reyna, President of the Dominican Republic, declared a state of emergency.

"I hope donors will respond with generous humanitarian aid to help the survivors of this devastating storm, which has affected such a broad swathe of the country and its population," said John Holmes, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator. "As the longer-term economic impact is also bound to be grave, their assistance will prove crucial in the recovery effort that follows," he added.

Access to the affected populations remains the main concern, with 137 communities still inaccessible. While flood levels should recede with the improving weather, the effects of flooding, including the impact on infrastructure, housing and farmland, will be felt for a significant time to come. Priority needs include water and basic sanitation, especially hygiene, as access to potable water is particularly poor and can severely affect nutrition and health. Food aid and urgent assistance in restoring livelihoods to ensure food security in the short- and medium-term are also key priorities. In addition, assistance in other sectors, including housing and shelter, health, agriculture, protection, and education, is also immediately needed.

Part of the required $13,985,200 will be met by a grant from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the amount of which is still to be determined. The international community is also providing technical teams and other assistance to help meet the most urgent needs.

For further information, please call: Stephanie Bunker, OCHA-New York, +1 917 367 5126, mobile +1 917 892 1679; Elisabeth Byrs, OCHA-Geneva, +41 22 917 2653, mobile, +41 79 473 4570. OCHA press releases are available at http://ochaonline.un.org or www.reliefweb.int.