Haiti and Dominican Republic face the aftermath of Hurricane Irma

People in the Dominican Republic and Haiti are facing the aftermath of Hurricane Irma which caused widespread damage overnight. Oxfam teams will immediately assess the needs of the most vulnerable people in the heaviest-hit areas, mainly in the north of both countries.

Overnight, Oxfam's Regional Communications Coordinator Tania Escamilla – who weathered the storm in Haiti’s second city, Cap Haitien – said: “We believe the worst of the hurricane has passed and people here hope to have escaped the worst.”

Oxfam teams reported heavy rain and flooding in Ouanaminthe district and in Fort Liberte city at the Dominican Republic border, and a broken bridge at the Massacre River which links the country with Haiti. Thousands of houses have been damaged in the Dominican Republic and people displaced.

Escamilla continued: “Our main concern remains how much damage Irma’s rains and flooding have caused to sanitation and water infrastructure. We’ve heard that there is flooding up to a metre high in poor neighbourhoods here in Haiti.

“Many people didn’t evacuate their homes so there is still a risk from the rain. We are seeing a lot of trash and waste out in the flooded streets in Cap Haitien which is exactly the type of condition that heightens the risk of cholera and other deadly diseases.”

Oxfam teams in Cap Haitien, Ouanaminthe and Gonaive, in the northern part of the country, have stock ready to go to prevent the spread of cholera. 

Irma is now moving north and will severely impact Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas. Oxfam is continuing to monitor the progress of Hurricane Jose closely following behind, which threatens even more damage, including to islands already wrecked by Irma.

A third hurricane – Katia – is forming to threaten Veracruz in Mexico. Oxfam is also prepared to assess and respond there with essential supplies and emergency aid.

ENDS

CONTACT: Spokespeople are available for interview. To arrange an interview or for more information, please contact:

REPUBLIC OF IRELAND: Alice Dawson on 00353 (0) 83 198 1869 / alice.dawson@oxfamireland.org

NORTHERN IRELAND: Phillip Graham on 0044 (0) 7841 102535 / phillip.graham@oxfamireland.org