Dominican Republic: Tropical Storm Noel OCHA Situation Report No. 2

This situation report is based on information received from the National Emergency Commission and member institutions from the Emergency Operations Centre and United Nations agencies in country.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Dominican Republic - Latest reports indicate 79 people killed, some 65,000 displaced and 74 communities currently isolated.

- Four members of the UNDAC team arrived in country.

- Noel has also affected Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas. Noel was upgraded to a Category One hurricane late on Thursday before it passed through the Bahamas.

Tropical Storm "Noel"-Regional impact

1. On Friday, 28 October, a low pressure system formed over the Central Caribbean, south of Hispaniola Island. Early Sunday morning this low pressure system evolved as a Tropical Depression, and rapidly became a Tropical Storm, threatening directly the Dominican Republic. Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and the Bahamas have also been affected. Tropical Storm Noel has now been upgraded to a category one hurricane.

2. In Haiti, light rain continues, increasing the risk of landslides. Some 40 deaths have been reported (27 the West, 4 in the South, 4 in South East, 2 in Artibonite, 2 in North and 1 in Nippes), 14 persons are missing, 71 people are injured, 2, 247 families have been affected, and there are approximately 11,400 people in shelters. So far, 883 houses have been destroyed and 3,000 houses damaged. Government and UN response is ongoing. Noel claimed the life of one person in Jamaica. In the Bahamas, rains associated with this storm have now caused severe flooding on the central islands: Long Island, Exuma and Cat Island, Andros and New Providence. Flooding of up to four feet have been reported in some areas and have caused severe damage to crops and livestock on farms.

Dominican Republic- General Situation

3. Heavy and prolonged rainfall hit most of the country, with rivers overflowing their banks and causing major flooding, landslides and the destruction of bridges throughout the Dominican Republic.

4. Latest reports indicate that 79 people have been killed, 43 are missing, 1,522 rescued and some 65,000 are displaced. In addition, 74 communities are currently isolated, approximately 15,338 homes have been partially destroyed and 35 bridges and highways affected. These figures are preliminary as many communities are still cut off, and search and rescue operations as well as assessments continue.

5. The main areas affected are the traditionally vulnerable areas/river basins of Bajo Yuna, Yaque del Sur and Yaque del Norte as well as all other vulnerable locations (hillsides and gullies) in many other parts of the country especially: Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, San Cristóbal, Peravía, Azua, Barahona, Pedernales, Independencia, Bahoruco, San Juan de la Maguana, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Espaiat, Salcedo, Duarte (especially Bajo Yuna), María Trinidad Sánchez, La Vega, Monte Plata, Moseñor Nouel, Hato Mayor (especially Sabana de la Mar), El Seibo (especially Miches), Sánchez Ramírez, Dajabón, Montecristi, Santiago Rodríguez, La Altagracia and San Pedro de Macorís.

6. According to weather forecasts, rains are expected to diminish in all the territory. However, heavy downpours are still expected in the South East, South West and in border areas. South western part of the country remains cut off due to a collapsed bridge on main road west of town of Bani. The National Office of Meteorology (ONAMET) maintains flood alerts in 20 provinces. Floods are being reported in more than 100 communities.

7. There is massive loss of standing crops including staples bananas and rice. Forty per cent of the water distribution system is damaged. Health is of particular concern especially water borne disease and mosquito vector disease, such as malaria.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

8. President Leonel Fernández declared the state of national emergency which will allow the quick disbursement of funds to procure emergency relief items and services to respond to the disaster. The Administrative Secretariat of the Presidency was also designated as the responsible entity for all administrative measures for the response, including facilitating the channeling of international assistance. In addition, the Presidency is intending to request a loan of USD 200 million to respond to the emergency.

9. The Government has been carrying out rescue and relief operations but the scale of disaster, continuing heaving rains until last night and the collapse of road communications in many parts of the country is overwhelming. Some 71 shelters are reported to have been opened but conditions are precarious and support limited.

10. The response is led by the Emergency Operations Centre (COE), which has been activated at regional, provincial and municipal levels. The CNE has called a meeting with the Donors with the purpose of formally presenting an overview of the situation and the immediate needs identified by the COE and CNE.

11. The Secretary of Public Health and Social Welfare (SESPAS) has ordered the activation and deployment of an elite unit of the Under-Secretary of Social Welfare to the areas that sustained the most damage as a result of the storm. In addition, SESPAS has established a network of ambulances composed of 18 units, in order to provide assistance to all people who need medical assistance Additionally, SESPAS is providing supplies for water and sanitation and oral rehydration.

For detailed information please contact:

Desk Officer (New York):
Mr. Ignacio León
Office Tel: +1 917 367-9960
Office Fax: +1 212 963-3630
E-mail: leoni@un.org

GCMS (Geneva):
Ms. Aoibheann O'Keeffe
Office Tel: +41 22 917 4329
E-mail: okeeffe@un.org

OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (Panama):
Mr. Douglas Reimer
Regional Disaster Response Adviser
Office Tel. +507 317 1748
Office Fax +507 317 1744
Mobile: +507 6676-1689
E-mail: reimer@un.org

Press Contact:

(NY) Ms. Stephanie Bunker
Office Tel : + 1 917-367-5126
Office Fax: + 1 212-963-1312
Email: bunker@un.org

(GVA) Ms. Elizabeth Byrs
Office Tel + 41 22 917 26 53
Office Fax + 41 22 917 00 20
E-mail: byrs@un.org