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

- 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
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.

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 Fern=E1ndez 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 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: reimer@un.org


Press Contact:

(NYC) 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

Attachments:
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