As a veteran Dominican who knows how things are done in DR and from what I have heard and seen so far, the relief effort for Jimani victims so far has been a disater itself. There are hundreds of people, agencies and groups trying to collect funds and items for these refugees, yet few are authorize to do this and many who organize collections are not able to get the stuff there. People who were sending money to Freddy Beras Goico, while well intentioned, Veras has no experience handling these things. He appeared totally confused as to what to do with all the good will of people.
The central government agency headed by General Lora Salcedo is disorganized and the general spends most of his time getting his make up for the TV cameras, where he spends most of his time. The armed forces in the area seem tired. General Ozuna, army chief of staff, was so aloof he was seen carrying his baton as if he were in a parade. His uniform was crisp, clean and starched, and he did not show a speck of mud from the devastated area, during an on site interview. They have not been able to get a cemetery ready for burials and mass graves are the order of the day. The food is not getting to the people. The top generals arrive in helicopters and rarely stray more than 100 ft. from the aircraft.
The worst part of this is that more than 1000 other victims have died and thousands of refugees and homeless people are without any help in the rest of the country, because the entire effort is been made in Jimani. This is just a big show where the people will be all but forgotten by next week. Places like Tamayo, Nagua, Cotui, the Ozama River slums, The Yuna and Yaque Del Norte slums are just as bad as Jimani, but Jimani is the showplace. Hippo has not visited at all as of last night.
If you really wish to contribute, your only bet is the Catholic church, which has done the best job and your contributions will not end in someones pocket. The U.S.Ambassador wa smart enough to have his people handle his own contributions.
TW
The central government agency headed by General Lora Salcedo is disorganized and the general spends most of his time getting his make up for the TV cameras, where he spends most of his time. The armed forces in the area seem tired. General Ozuna, army chief of staff, was so aloof he was seen carrying his baton as if he were in a parade. His uniform was crisp, clean and starched, and he did not show a speck of mud from the devastated area, during an on site interview. They have not been able to get a cemetery ready for burials and mass graves are the order of the day. The food is not getting to the people. The top generals arrive in helicopters and rarely stray more than 100 ft. from the aircraft.
The worst part of this is that more than 1000 other victims have died and thousands of refugees and homeless people are without any help in the rest of the country, because the entire effort is been made in Jimani. This is just a big show where the people will be all but forgotten by next week. Places like Tamayo, Nagua, Cotui, the Ozama River slums, The Yuna and Yaque Del Norte slums are just as bad as Jimani, but Jimani is the showplace. Hippo has not visited at all as of last night.
If you really wish to contribute, your only bet is the Catholic church, which has done the best job and your contributions will not end in someones pocket. The U.S.Ambassador wa smart enough to have his people handle his own contributions.
TW