OCHA Situation Report No. 3
Dominican Republic: Tropical Storm Noel
5 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

- Priority needs privilege water sanitation, food rations, shelter and
health

- Flash Appeal being finalized

- Approximately USD 4.2 million in cash contributions provided so far

General Situation

1. Weather conditions in the last 24 hours have improved and, according
to the Meteorological National Institute (ONAMET), precipitation will
continue to diminish in the entire country, despite some isolated
showers in the southeast, southwest, the mountain chain bordering Haiti
and the Cibao Valley.

2. According to the latest reports of the National Emergency Committee
(CNE) some 84 people have been killed, 48 are still unaccounted for, and
approximately 3,400 have been rescued. Some 16,700 houses have been
partially destroyed.

3. Approximately, 23,000 people are in 125 temporary shelters and some
43,500 have been received by relatives and friends. Temporary shelters
are experiencing management problems as well as lack of relief items
(including food) for those in the shelters.

4. Health- Hospitals and other medical facilities have reached its
maximum functional capacity. Needs assessments continue as a basis to
carry out vector control activities.

5. Water and sanitation- 40 per cent of the water supply distribution
system as well as 60 per cent of the 122 aqueducts have been damaged. 19
of 110

6. Food security and Nutrition- The agricultural sector was particularly
hit by "Noel" with a total affected area of 24,660 hectares. Main crops
affected: banana 13,887 hectares; rce 4,269 hectares and fruits 1,830
hectares.

7. Power supply- Six southern Provinces (San Jose de Ocoa, San Juan,
Elias Pina, Barahona, Bahoruco e Independencia) and two in the north of
the country continue without power.

8. Infrastructure- Some 46 bridges and roads have been affected and, as
a result, 100 communities are still isolated. Meanwhile, road traffic
towards the Baharona Province has been restored.

Priority Needs

9. As mentioned in the OCHA Sitrep no. 2 of 2 November, priority needs
continue to focus in the following sectors:

- Water and sanitation, including water pumping, water purification,
water storage and distribution, vector control for 121 shelters and
latrines;

- Food- food rations (cooked food) and food for children;

- Shelter including mattresses, sheets, blankets and mosquito nets and
hygene and personal kits;

- Health- medical supplies and medicines

- Logistics- mobile communication radios (Motorola EM400)

NATIONAL RESPONSE

10. The response to this disaster continues to be led by the National
Emergency Committee (CNE) which, together with provincial authorities
and some NGOs, is also in charge of the distribution of relief items to
the population affected.

11. Assessments missions continue as well with the participation of
seven technical teams trained by the United Nations, government
representatives, UN agencies and NGOs. These evaluations are being
carried out on the basis of a methodology agreed upon by the regional
inter-agency group on Emergencies, Risk and Disasters-REDLAC.

For detailed information please contact:

Desk Officer (New York):
Mr. Ignacio Leon
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:

(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:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=7AFA0832EEA7816B4925738A00019166&file=Full_Report.pdf

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