In 2010, Dominican medical and rescue teams traveled to Haiti from day after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck in Haiti. The Dominican teams were the first to arrive to help rescue and treat earthquake victims. This time around the situation is different.
Back in 2010 there were no kidnapping gangs. Today, kidnappings are described as the #1 industry in Haiti. This time around, the deputy director of the Center for Emergency Operations in the Dominican Republic has said the Haitian government has requested only pharmaceuticals and food. The Dominican government has been prompt in sending these supplies. Medical help has not been requested. The reason, the safety situation in Haiti.
The Dominican Medical Association (CMD) president, Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero says that the country cannot send medical and staff unless the Haitian government can guarantee their safety.
Meanwhile, El Caribe newspaper reports that several local organizations in Santiago are organizing relief actions to send aid to Haiti. As reported, the Movement for Human Rights, Peace and Social Justice (MONDHA), a local organization that works with Haitian migrants, opened a collection center to receive aid.
The National Evangelical University (UNEV) opened a collection center for donations, located at 102 Estrella Sadhalá Avenue in Santiago, where the university is located. José Vanderlinder, director of the UNEV, said that the university currently has about 100 Haitian students at the university that are active collecting items that the victims of the earthquake may need.
The Cibao Fútbol Club based in Santiago announced on its networks that it would be receiving donations. The Cibao FC constantly plays games with Haitian teams that will help channel the aid collected.
The Association for the Development Incorporated (APEDI) has an aid collection center. Businessman Fernando Capellán, president of Grupo M and Codevi, says the company has a collection center in Dajabón to collaborate with Haiti.
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N Digital
Z101 Digital
El Caribe
18 August 2021