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ACT Alert
Dominican
Republic - 2/03
Tropical
Storm Odette
Geneva,
10 December, 2003
On December 6, Tropical Storm Odette hit the south of the Dominican
Republic, affecting the provinces of Barahona, Pedernales and Baoruco
and causing electric storms and flash flooding. The National Emergency
Commission (CNE) reports that Tropical Storm Odette caused the death
of 10 people and seriously injured 14. Substantial damage was sustained
by many farms and crops, electric lines and the dwellings of 859 families,
of which 34 were completely destroyed. Damages were also reported
in the capital city of Santo Domingo. It is estimated that approximately
10,000 people were affected.
In addition, heavy rains in early November flooded the Yaque and
Yuna rivers and caused extensive flooding in the northeast part of
the Dominican Republic. The most affected provinces were Santiago,
Montecristi, Valverde and Duarte. The floods have affected 9,473 families
and damaged 1,130 homes and caused significant losses of crops and
livestock.
Although the early warning system alerted the whole Hispaniola Island
(including Haiti) about Tropical Storm Odette, the Lutheran World
Federation (LWF), ACT member in Haiti, reports that no damages
have been reported in this country.
ACT member, Social Services of Community Churches
(SSID), who is responding to the floods and preparing an appeal
for the ACT alliance, will assess the new situation to incorporate
it in the forthcoming appeal. SSID is already distributing food and
clothing collected by the churches. SSID is planning to respond in
the areas where they currently have development programs. The immediate
needs identified are: food assistance, blankets, medicines and home
supplies. SSID intends to support the population in the rehabilitation
phase with the reconstruction of houses and the recovery of the agriculture.
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