The north-west and the north-east of the Dominican Republic was lashed by the heaviest rains for more than 20 years during the last two weeks of November 2003. The rains resulted in extensive flooding which, according to official data, affected 12,000 families (more than 65,000 persons) of which 47,000 were evacuated and 17,000 rescued. Ten persons died as a result of the floods and landslides while 1,250 persons lost their homes. The flooding also totally devastated agriculture in the area.

The Social Services of the Dominican Churches (Servicio Social de Iglesias Dominicanas - SSID) church members have been supporting the affected communities materially and morally. For example the pastors in the provinces of Monte Cristy and Dajabón, has been collecting and distributing food and clothes with the support of members of the churches, schools, businesses and friends. These members have now requested support from the SSID to assist them in their endeavours.

SSID is requesting ACT support to respond to the needs of those families who have not received any support and are in dire need of food, shelter and health services. The SSID will work on the distribution of food, medical assistance, construction and repair of houses. A programme will also be developed for the recovery of agriculture through short cycle crops. The project will assist 30 communities in the north and the north-west of the Dominican Republic – namely Monte Cristy and Dajabón as well as the districts of the Yaque inlet in Santiago. Priority will be given to rural communities and some marginal urban districts.

Project Completion Date:

31 May 2004

Total Appeal Target(s): 133,490

Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 39,776

Balance Requested from ACT Network: 93,714

Signed by:

Thor-Arne Prois, ACT Director

For full details of proposals and budgets, please click below to download a PDF file of the entire Appeal.

Dominican Republic - Flood Assistance - LADR31 (file size: 43 Kb)

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