EARTHQUAKE AFTERSHOCKS AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 005330 SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR MCISAAC, CA/OCS/ACS/WHA HALDANE, OBO/PE/DE/CSB DAI OH & HAO BUI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV SOCI EAIR EWWT CASC DR SUBJECT: EARTHQUAKE AFTERSHOCKS AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT REF: SANTO DOMINGO 5118 ¶1. Aftershocks from the earthquake that hit the Dominican Republic on September 22 (reftel) continue to be felt in the northern region of the country. More than 200 aftershocks have been reported, measuring up to 5.1 on the Richter Scale. The original quake and the aftershocks have produced damage estimates ranging from RD $500 to 700 million (US $16.7 to 23.4 million). Thus far, President Mejia has designated RD $100 million (US$3.3 million) for rebuilding in the Puerto Plata area, RD $50 million (US$1.6 million) of which will go to reconstruction efforts for the GODR Justice Building and the regional campus of the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo. ¶2. Damages were greatest in the northern and central cities of Puerto Plata and Santiago. More than 120 buildings were damaged in Puerto Plata, including 44 public schools, 4 hospitals and 4 government offices. In Santiago, 103 building showed structural damage, including 10 government offices, 6 public schools and 1 hospital. Media reports indicate that anywhere from 10,000 to 18,000 Dominican children are temporarily unable to attend school due to damaged buildings or buildings that have not yet been cleared for occupancy. The GODR is considering the use of tents as temporary classrooms. ¶3. Despite the structural damage and the severity of the earthquake, injuries were minimal with fewer than 50 people seeking treatment. The GODR is attributing three deaths to the quake, one from fatal injuries received in the collapse of a boarding house and two from heart attacks. There were no Amcit injuries or deaths as a consequence of the earthquake or its aftershocks. KUBISKE