Dominican Republic prepares for disaster: Launches new projects funded by the EU

By: UNDRR – The Americas.

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, 25 May 2015 - More than 80,000 people in the Dominican Republic will benefit from over $2.7 million in investment through the Disaster Preparedness Programme (DIPECHO) 2015-2016 to reduce the impact of natural hazards by preparing vulnerable populations and the strengthening of state institutions in disaster risk management issues.

This was expressed by the organizations led by the Department of the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Department (ECHO), after the recent presentation of the lines of action of the current DIPECHO (ECHO Disaster Preparedness Programme), before the plenary of the National Emergency Commission of the Dominican Republic, headed by Major General Rafael Emilio de Luna Pichirilo.

DIPECHO 2015-2016 will be implemented at a national and local, institutional and community levels in rural areas as well urban and peri-urban areas prone to recurrent disasters, principally in the provinces of Dajabon, San Cristobal and Pedernales.

During the next 18 months, simple and inexpensive preventive actions for disaster preparedness will be developed to be implemented in conjunction with local authorities and communities, which will help to prevent the loss of lives, property and livelihoods in the municipalities involved.

Risk maps, emergency and contingency plans, early warning systems, community educational campaigns, training workshops for journalists, professionals and construction masters, as well as small infrastructure projects shall also be developed.

The implementation of these actions is supported by the international organizations OXFAM, Plan International, Habitat for Humanity, Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization PAHO/WHO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); Cooperation Assembly for Peace, Solidarity Alliance, International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).