New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that a team of disaster management specialists from the New York City Office of Emergency Management will travel to the Dominican Republic today to assess what is needed in the aftermath of the deadly floods. The three experts will look at areas of health and human services, infrastructure, sanitation and mass casualty care, and make recommendations as to how the New York City government can best assist the victims. Bloomberg made the announcement on occasion of the visit of President-elect Leonel Fernandez to his office in New York.
Fernandez also met with New York Governor George Pataki yesterday who also pledged his cooperation. ?New Yorkers understand the loss in a disaster and are reaching out to help our friends in the Dominican Republic and Haiti,? said the governor. He announced an immediate contribution from the New York Power authority of up to US$100,000 to Dominican and Haitian relief efforts to obtain generators to produce electricity in those areas that have been darkened by the floodwaters that rose as high as 15 feet.
?New Yorkers are generous, compassionate people who are ready to help their Caribbean American neighbors in their time of need,? said Pataki. ?I?m asking New Yorkers to show their concern through cash donations to ensure that assistance can be provided as quickly as possible.?
Among the organizations accepting cash donations is the American Red Cross International Response Fund (1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 in Spanish). Donations can also be mailed to any local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross at P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013; and Alianza Dominicana through JP Morgan Chase Bank, account No. 682501913065, routing No. 021000021, or by calling (212) 740-1960 for more information.