The word ‘batey’ is an Indian word, perhaps Arawak or Siboney, which refers to the land and houses surrounding a sugar mill. According to a study carried out by the Jesuit Refugee and Migrant Service called “A Diagnosis into the Nutritional Situation in the Dominican Republic Bateys” 12% of children under five suffer from chronic malnutrition and 4% are classed as “severely undernourished.” Over 57% of children between six and 12 only get milk occasionally. According to the study, the figures for severe malnutrition in the batey population are three times greater than the 2002 figures, as recorded in the National Census on Demographics and Health. The study, to be released today, followed international criteria for measuring malnutrition, which measures age and size. For the elderly the calf was measured and the body mass index was used. (Weight kgs./height mts. = Body Mass Index.) The research was carried out in 22 of the country’s bateys: seven in the south, 12 in the east and three in the National District. The research shows that a majority (55%) of the population was using firewood or vegetable charcoal to cook their meals, and only 19% had access to a gas stove. The Jesuit group (SJRM) also noted that 21% of the households are headed by women and usually include children under 12 and people over the age of 65. As many as 37% of the heads of households do not know how to read or write, and 62% of the children between 16 and 20 do not go to school. A total of 82% of the population in a typical batey is Dominican while 11% are newcomers from Haiti. Even more worrying is the fact that 72% of the houses lack sanitary facilities.