The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has nearly doubled its preliminary emergency appeal, launched on 1 November, to assist people affected by Tropical Storm Noel, which pounded the Dominican Republic, Haiti, the Bahamas and the northern coast of Cuba with high winds and torrential rains since the end of October.

The emergency appeal is now for just over 1.4 million Swiss francs (US$ 1.2 million/€ 874,000) to help 40,700 people. The amount was increased to include an additional 5,225 families in Cuba and the Bahamas in the relief operation.

The funds will be used to provide flood victims with food and other relief items (hygiene articles, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, jerry cans and tarpaulins), over the next six months. In Cuba, 2,000 families will also receive zinc roofing to replace roofs blown away by the storm.

The Dominican Republic was particularly hard hit by Tropical Storm Noel - according to the authorities, at least 85 people have died and 48 are reported missing. Serious damage was inflicted on infrastructure, roads, bridges and thousands of homes. Some 95% of plantain, banana and tomato plantations have been damaged.

In Haiti, at least 66 people have died, 16 are missing and nearly 13,000 homes are destroyed or damaged. More than 14,000 people have found refuge in shelters. Crops have been devastated and cattle and other farm animals have drowned.

In Cuba, no deaths are reported. More than 34,000 people were evacuated, most of whom are staying with family and friends. Thousand of hectares of sugar cane are under water and there is major damage to roads and bridges.

Tropical Storm Noel became a category 1 hurricane as it passed over the Bahamas, causing extensive flooding and damage in the northwestern islands. One death is reported.

The Red Cross Societies on all the affected islands mobilized thousands of volunteers to participate in search and rescue, evacuate people, provide first aid and distribute essential relief assistance. They are also participating in continuing assessments in order to determine early recovery needs.

In the Dominican Republic, some 800 families have already received relief items, and distributions by Red Cross volunteers to an additional 1,100 families are beginning this week.

Basic medical health care will also be provided by Dominican Red Cross medical brigades, as well as psychological support.

An awareness campaign on how to avoid water-borne disease is planned, as well as the mobilization of water and sanitation teams to make sure affected communities and people in shelters have access to potable water.

Cuban and Haitian Red Cross volunteers are continuing to provide essential help to displaced families in shelters.

For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:

Allison Ali, Information Officer,
Caribbean Office Tel: + 1 868 688 2165