Tropical Storm Noel

Appeal Target: 152,491 US$

Total requested: 136,991 US$

Tropical storm Noel struck the Caribbean as a slow-moving tropical storm, growing into a Category-1 hurricane, leaving 118 people dead. Hardest-hit were the Dominican Republic and Haiti, where 116 people were killed in floods and landslides. The rain brought floods and strong winds that took the country by surprise, as no one had expected the high levels of rainfall that caused widespread damage from Santo Domingo on the south coast to Puerto Plata on the north coast, along the western stretches of the country.  The government has declared a national emergency and has requested international aid to help them deal with the crisis, both immediately and for long-term rehabilitation.

According to the National Commission for Emergencies, summarized in its report issued on 3 November 2007: 87 people have been reported dead and 48 missing. Some 16, 712 houses were affected, of which 737 were completely destroyed. The numbers of people displaced is estimated to exceed 66, 800. Overcrowding and unsanitary conditions in  the shelters are causing intestinal diseases and conjunctivitis. However, within the communities, with the unprecedented influx of additional people into homes, overstretched hygienic conditions are also likely to result in diseases.

Swollen rivers and 46 broken bridges are still seeing to it that 100 communities remain cut off. In the southwest of the country Barahona and Azua still remain without electricity and telecommunications. It has been impossible for authorities to access and survey these areas by helicopter due to the continued rains and a lack of visibility up until now, but with the rain having stopped, people are gaining access to these isolated communities.

Many communities are also facing a lack of clean drinking water due to the flooding, damaged pipes and aqueducts, and damaged pumping stations without electricity. The authorities are beginning to draw up reports on the affects of the flooding on the agricultural sector, with the worst affected crops being plantain, rice, fruit trees and bananas. Many areas are still without power and some roads are still impassable because of debris and landslides.

ACT members Christian Aid,  Church World Service (CWS), Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), and Social Services of the Dominican Churches (SSID) have made assessments in the early days after the disaster in different areas hit by the storm.  Further to the assessment, members have decided to respond in some of the most vulnerable areas.

Christian Aid and five of its implementing partners, APRODEMA – Asociación pro-Desarrollo de la Mujer y Medio Ambiente, Colectiva Mujer y Salud, FEI - La Fundación Emmanuel Internacional, Mosctha – Movimiento Social-Cultural para los Trabajadores Haitianos and Mudha – Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Haitianas - plan to respond in the provinces in the south-west of the Dominican Republic: Santo Domingo, Boca Chica, Barahona, Ozama/San Cristobal, Monte Plata. A major part of the work will be carried out in the municipality of Villa Altagracia which has been particularly affected by the swelling of the Rivers Haina, Catareycito and la Isabela.

The appeal aims to support a total of 3436 families in the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalised areas, which are often the bateyes, inhabited by Haitian migrants, Haitians of Dominican descent and poor Dominicans. These communities are less able to respond in times of emergency and often overlooked by other responses.

Christian Aid will coordinate with SSID, the government agencies and national and international organizations that are working in the area. SSID has started with the distribution of food rations, bottled water, bedding and basic medicines in the provinces of San Juan and Barahona (southwest) and Monte Plata (East) with sources from the Rapid Response Fund. Christian Aid and SSID are coordinating the response and SSID will submit a proposal which will be issued under the revision of this appeal.

Project Completion Date: 31 May 2008

Reporting schedule:

Final narrative & financial: 31 July 2008

Audit: 31 August 2008

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$):

Appeal Targets: 152,491

Less: Pledges/Contr Recd: 15,500

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 136,991

Signed by:

John Nduna
Director, ACT Co-ordinaging Office