07770
November 28, 2007

SDOP backs storm-battered partners in Dominican Republic

National committee appropriates emergency $300,000 for tropical storm Noel relief

by Cynthia White
Coordinator, Self-Development of People
and Jerry L. Van Marter
Presbyterian News Service

A DR flood victim with eggs received from an SDOP partner agency. SDOP gave $300,000 in emergency assistance after Tropical Storm Noel struck the island nation in early November. Photo by Paul O’Neal

LOUISVILLE — In an unprecedented move,  the National Committee on the Self-Development of People of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) authorized its International Task Force to begin providing immediate assistance to PC(USA) partners in the Dominican Republic (DR). 

An additional $300,000 was allocated to the task force after the SDOP committee received dramatic appeals from partners in the DR, which was pounded by Tropical Storm Noel during the SDOP meeting here Nov. 2-3.

Many “bateys” in the Dominican Republic were flooded when Tropical Storm Noel struck the island nation in early November. Photo by Paul O’Neal

Homes and roads were washed away by the storm and bridges collapsed around the country. The death toll climbed above 100 and many more were reported missing. More than 24,500 homes were destroyed in the Caribbean island nation, and 65,000 people were evacuated to temporary shelters. 

And, of course, the poorest communities — the “bateys” — were the hardest hit. After the storm people living in many bateys were and continue to be without electricity and access to potable water; the risk of illness is high due to garbage accumulation, dead animals everywhere and overflowing rivers. 

There are reportedly more than 500 bateys in the DR, housing mostly Haitian and Dominican sugar cane cutters and their families.  The housing conditions in the bateys are grossly inadequate, often without electricity or running water in the best of times. 

When the DR’s State Sugar Council (CEA) went bankrupt in 1999, the government privatized many sugar cane mills. Private owners failed to improve the living and working conditions in the bateys.  Many have stopped the production of sugar cane, thus leaving the residents in the bateys in an even more perilous situation. 

Historically, much of SDOP’s work has been in bateys. The national SDOP committee met in the DR last year to get a first-hand look at its partnership efforts there.

The immediate cry for help after the storm came from the Rev. Cristobal Cardoza of the Association for Development and Education. He indicated there was an immediate need for medicine, water and shelter. 

Residents of a DR “batey” receive food assistance at a church, part of PC(USA)-aided relief following Tropical Storm Noel. Photo by Paul O’Neal

The second appeal came from Movimiento de Mujeres Domínico-Haitianas (MUDHA), a non-governmental organization based in Santo Domingo, the DR capitol. MUDHA’s main mission is to defend and promote the rights of female immigrants from Haiti in the DR and to attain full citizenship rights for their Dominican-born children. MUDHA asked for help in getting food, kitchen kits, mattresses, sheets and mosquitos nets to 5 bateys, as well as assistance in training additional health promoters for the bateys.

Two other SDOP partners also asked for help: Manuel Tejeda, president of FEPROCA, pleaded for help for farmers in and around Azua, DR, where more than families were in dire need of  assistance; the Batey Relief Association ask for assistance for communities in the Monte Plata area.

A group of DR flood victims express their thanks for assistance from Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC, part of the PC(USA)’s Dominican Republic Mission Network. Photo by Paul O’Neal

Members of the PC(USA)’s Dominican Republic Mission Network have also responded.  Westminister Presbyterian Church in Greenville, SC provided immediate assistance to Bateys 6 & 7 in Barahona in addition to other communities in the area. 

Foundation for Peace immediately begin a drive for medicine, mattress, food and other necessities to be shipped.