The White House is sending to the U.S. Congress a legislative package to provide new help for countries hit by Hurricanes Georges and Mitch that includes US$29 million earmarked for the DR. In a press event at the White House presided over by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton in the presence of Secretary of State Madeline Albright and DR Ambassador to the U.S. Bernardo Vega, it was explained that the part of the package intended for the DR includes US$7 million for health projects in areas affected by Hurricane Georges, US$6 million for housing for those left homeless by the storm, and US$16 million in credits for microenterprises, agricultural development and repair of small farms. The package must be approved by Congress.Separately, the U.S. Army announced yesterday that reserve troops and members of the U.S. National Guard will come to the DR to do US$10 million in reconstruction work, including rebuilding a bridge in Jarabacoa and raising eight schools and a few medical clinics. U.S. Army doctors will do three tours in the countryside offering free medical checkups.
