TROPICAL STORM NOEL

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 002465 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ASEC DR SUBJECT: TROPICAL STORM NOEL REF: SANTO DOMINGO 2444 ¶1. The latest official report by the Dominican Center of Emergency Operations (COE) regarding Tropical Storm Noel indicates that there are 11,756 displaced persons (2,502 of whom are in shelters and 9,704 who have been placed with families). There have been 16 fatalities reported and 15 people counted as missing. These numbers are expected to rise as more accurate official results come in. ¶2. Thirty-six communities are isolated due to flooding and impassable bridges, and 2,936 homes have been damaged. Losses in agriculture are estimated in several millions of dollars and roads and bridges have suffered severe damage in some communities in the central and southern regions of the country. News agencies have reported that some rural areas are asking the Dominican Government (GODR) for emergency supplies of food and potable water as well as home and other infrastructure repairs. ¶3. Post, in collaboration with the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, is querying NGO partners in the field to better assess on-the-ground needs and is in contact with the United Nations Development Program and other donors. President Fernandez has instructed the National Emergency Commission to be in permanent session. However, the GODR has not declared a national disaster, nor has it requested help from the USG thus far. We are monitoring the situation closely and may move forward with a request for OFDA relief funding under the Ambassador's authority based on further discussions with COE. ¶4. USAID has also asked a number of key implementing partners to assess the impact of the storm on a relatively small number of ongoing program interventions, particularly in the agricultural and environmental sectors, and will likely have to re-allocate program resources accordingly. Further discussion will take place at a donor coordination meeting to be held October 31 ¶5. On October 29, the MV SCF Tomsk, a Liberian flagged Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) Carrier with 50,000 barrels LPG aboard, broke free of its mooring during the storm and ran aground on a nearby reef in San Pedro de Macoris. Post is assisting with the situation and will report further details Septel. ¶6. As reported Reftel, Post held an EAC meeting on October 29 and instituted a Liberal Leave policy. (U) This report and additional information can be found on Embassy Santo Domingo's SIPRNET site, http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/santodomingo/ BULLEN