Floods and Landslides

ACT member in the Dominican Republic, Social Service of the Dominican Churches (SSID), reports that the "White" river - shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic (known as the "Solie" River on the Haitian side) - started to rise significantly the night of 23 May. Around 2:30 a.m. the river burst its banks, and mud-filled waters carried away houses and sleeping inhabitants. According to the latest report from the National Emergency Commission (CNE) in the Dominican Republic, the most affected area is the Jimani Municipality where the authorities are still searching for victims. So far the death toll in the Dominican Republic has reached 104, with 122 reported injured and 202 missing. Many houses have been destroyed as well as vast areas of cultivated land. The affected population includes both Dominicans and Haitians as many Haitian migrants have settled in this area. The forecast gives no indication of a let-up in the rain. SSID is in the process of collecting food, clothes, medicines and water to be distributed to the affected population. An SSID commission will visit the area to distribute relief items and to assess the damages and need for response.

ACT members in Haiti - Christian Aid (CAID), Fédération Protestante d'Haiti (FPH), Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and Service Chrétien d'Haiti (SCH) - report that the most affected areas in Haiti include Bel Anse, Grand Grossier, Thiotte and Anse a Pitre, around the Fonds Verettes town. According to information they have received from these areas, 150 persons are dead in Bel Anse and Grand Grossier, 18 in Thiotte and two in Anse a Pitre. Many houses have been destroyed, cultivated land flooded and livestock swept away. All connections by road to the area have been cut by the landslides and water. ACT members in Haiti report that shelter, food and water are the priority needs. They are assessing the situation for a possible response.

An appeal may be forthcoming. ACT CO would appreciate any indications of possible support.