The Canadian government approved an immediate RD$2-million assistance fund and the United States government has donated US$50,000 in humanitarian aid. The government of Japan donated US$100,000 and the European Union has announced a package worth US$2.43 million, as reported in El Caribe.
The Hotel & Restaurant Association is holding a drive to collect donations based at the Hotel Clarion in Santo Domingo. Likewise, Juventud Nacional Comprometida (JUNCO) has begun an effort to collect articles for the victims. See http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31858 for contact information.
The Executive Branch declared today a day of national mourning. It also declared the municipality of Jimani, in Independencia Province a disaster zone.
While international efforts are receiving much attention, Dominican solidarity has not been lacking. The highway to the southwest is now being dubbed ?solidarity road? with trucks and buses of people and volunteers traveling to the afflicted areas to bring their contributions. Schools and businesses have carried out drives this week to assist the victims, in a mass demonstration of national commiseration.
Writes Ana Mitila Lora in the Listin Diario today: ?I hope all the aid reaches those who need it. I hope that all this positive energy can be channeled in favor of solidarity movements that are more permanent, as this, in reality, is a country of victims. Even without floods, earthquakes or cyclones, the economic victims abound. Perhaps this is an opportunity to rethink poverty. What are we going to do to return dignity to so many? How are we going to reduce poverty, or stop it from being source of wealth for some, or an excuse to increase the beneficiaries of political patronage??