Thursday, November 1, 2007

Latest Update on Noel

Below is the latest update from a local news service called DR 1.  As you will read, the needs are growing, especially in the number of folks who have severely damaged or lost homes, over 17,000.
Death toll keeps rising
The ninth bulletin from the National Emergency Committee indicates that 56 people have died as a result of Noel, 27 are missing and a total of 58,328 people have been displaced. Of these displaced 17,895 have found refuge in government facilities while 40,433 are staying with families and friends. Also, 13,921 homes have been ruined, 52 communities are cut off, 21 bridges and roads have collapsed and 682 people have been rescued. General Manuel Antonio Luna Paulino says that 85% of the people who live below sea level have been moved and relocated. Luna has made a public appeal to boat-owners to help in rescue efforts in the lower Yuna river basin. He added that this area is completely flooded and that water levels are still rising. He said that anyone who is willing to help should contact the military commander in San Francisco de Macoris so they can be given the appropriate information. Aguacate and Arenoso are among the worst affected communities in the lower Yuna river basin area. Luna says that this is one of the worst cases of flooding seen in the DR in the last 40 years.
Please continue to pray for God’s guidance as we respond to the needs.  I am working with our Dominican Baptist Convention folks learning more of the needs in the DR.  We will keep you informed.

Posted by Wagner family in 20:46:15 | Permalink | No Comments »

The Latest Update on the Damages of Tropical Storm Noel

Now that the rain has stopped in most places, people are really able to get out and assess the damage caused by Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. The death toll as of this morning has now risen to 56 with dozens more missing. Thosands are without homes and are living in shelters or with friends and family. Please pray for IMB personnel and Middle America and Caribbean regional leadership as we are now in the process of evaluating how we can help people, especially the poor who have suffered so much. One of the greatest needs will be the recontruction of homes. So many lost everything they own. Below you can see the force of the flooding.

Posted by Wagner family in 12:08:01 | Permalink | No Comments »