OCHA Situation Report No. 1
Dominican Republic: Tropical Storm Noel
1 November 2007


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

- Forty-one people have been killed, 20 missing, 543 rescued and some
51,000 are displaced.

- A five-person UNDAC team is being deployed and a Humanitarian Affairs
Officer from the OCHA Regional Office in Panama has arrived today in
Santo Domingo.

GENERAL CONTEXT

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.

2. 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 (see attached
map).

3. Latest reports indicate that 41 people have been killed, 20 missing,
543 rescued and some 51,000 are displaced. In addition, 41 communities
are currently isolated, approximately 12,600 homes have been partially
destroyed and 12 bridges and highways affected (see attached list of
temporary shelter).

4. Affected Areas: Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional, San Cristobal,
Peravia, Azua, Barahona, Pedernales, Independencia, Bahoruco, San Juan
de la Maguana, Santiago, Puerto Plata, Espaiat, Salcedo, Duarte
(especially Bajo Yuna), Maria Trinidad S=E1nchez, La Vega, Monte Plata,
Mosenor Nouel, Hato Mayor (especially Sabana de la Mar), El Seibo
(especially Miches), S=E1nchez Ramirez, Dajabon, Montecristi, Santiago
Rodriguez, La Altagracia and San Pedro de Macoris.

5. According to weather forecasts, intermittent rainfall will continue
for the next 48 hours. This, combined with over-saturation of the soil,
will likely cause further flooding and landslides, particularly along
the Yuna and Jaya rivers. For these reasons, there is the likelihood of
an increase in the number of displaced persons, with needs in the areas
of shelter, food, medicine and medical assistance.

NATIONAL RESPONSE

6. President Leonel Fern=E1ndez announced an amount of DOP 100 million
(approximately USD 2.9 million) through the Presidential Social
Assistance Plan, to assist the population affected by this disaster.

7. The Nacional Emergency Commission (CNE in Spanish) in an
extraordinary meeting held today, has taken the following administrative
measures: activation of the Emergency Operations Centre (COE in Spanish)
at the national, regional and provincial levels, coordination of first
deliveries of food rations with CNE and member institutions, meetings
with international organizations, suspension of classes nationwide until
further notice.

8. The response has been led by the COE, which has been activated at
regional, provincial and municipal levels. Personnel as well as rescue
teams have been sent to the areas affected, and have carried out
preventive evacuations. Emergency and health teams have been also
activated, and ambulances have been deployed to affected areas, among
other activities.

9. The current situation in the country surpasses local response
capacity. The Civil Defense has reported that shelters have surpassed
its maximum capacity, with major needs of food (particularly for
children and babies), mattresses, sheets, mosquito nets, brooms and
hygiene utensils (soap, toilet paper, diapers, tampons, detergent, and
garbage bags) and security.

10. There is also a lack of fuel and oil for search and rescue in the
field. The Secretary of State of Public Health and Social Assistance
(SESPAS in Spanish) has predicted that this could be a 'worst case'
scenario for the country.

11. The SESPAS is running against time trying to reach the different
provinces and municipalities affected in order to provide medical
supplies to already stretched local health facilities.

12. Short-term diseases:

    a. Acute Diarrhea due to contamination of potable water supplies.
    b. Acute Respiratory Infections due to high humidity and viruses in
       the atmosphere.
    c. Gastroenteritis (due to consumption of contaminated food)
    d. Food intoxication

13. Long-term (1-2 weeks) diseases:

    a. Dengue in two variables.
    b. Pneumonia.
    c. Malnutrition.


For detailed information please contact:

Contact details

Desk officer (New York):
Mr. Ignacio Leon
Office Tel: +1 917 367-9960
Office Fax: +1 212 963-36 30
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
Mr. Douglas Reimer
Regional Disaster Response Adviser
Office Tel. +507 317-1748
Office Fax +507 317-1744
Mobile: +507 6676-1689
E-mail: reamer@un.org

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

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

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=27699A53BED1A535492573860000D022&file=Full_Report.pdf

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