Deutsche Welthungerhilfe distributes food and drinking water to storm victims in the Dominican Republic "It's like an islet in a river" - 80 per cent of the country affected

Bonn, 2.11.2007. Welthungerhilfe (German Agro Action) will be distributing food and drinking water to about 4,000 people in the Dominican Republic. It will also be giving out mosquito nets and spray since it is reckoned that there will be a plague of mosquitoes once it stops raining. The aid project covers the provinces Peravia and Monte Plata to the west and north of the capital city Santo Domingo.

One of the places worst affected by the storm is Villa Fundación in Peravia. "The people had not had any electricity for days and consequently it was not possible to forewarn them of the approaching storm," reports Andrea Brechelt, manager of the Welthungerhilfe associate organisation FAMA (Fundación Agricultura y Medio Ambiente). "The town is located in a valley and the water from the mountains made the Rio Ocoa river break its banks, and now for the people there it's like being on an islet in a river. "

According to Brechelt's report the local population has set up an emergency aid committee which has assessed the damage. They have said that the entire crop has been destroyed, the working animals have drowned and the drinking water has been contaminated.

It has been raining incessantly in the Dominican Republic since the 26th October. Eighty percent of the country has been affected. 41 districts have been cut off from the outside world. About 75,000 persons had to be taken to safety. 24,500 houses have been destroyed or seriously damaged.

For further details see www.welthungerhilfe.de

Andrea Brechelt is available for interviews on request.