[Cwgrad-announcements] FW: Emergency in the Dominican Republic - Tropical Storm Noel

[Amanda J Labagnara]

GENERAL CONSULATE OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC IN CALIFORNIA
9001 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 204, Sun Valley, California 91352
Tel: (818) 504-6605 / 6602   Fax: (818) 504-6617
info at consuladodominicanoca.com


URGENT HELP NEEDED FOR NOEL VICTIMS

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Consul General of the Dominican Republic, Celeste
Jiménez, and the Dominican Club in Los Angeles, are making an urgent
call to join in the efforts of providing urgently needed food and
supplies to the victims of tropical storm Noel, which has devastated our
island nation.

Up-to-date, Noel’s torrential rains have forced approximately 100,000
people to evacuate from their homes and 75 communities are cut off with
no communication, due to 50 bridges that have either fallen or been
severely damaged. This situation is preventing emergency services from
reaching the trapped population.  Close to 100 people are confirmed
dead, although this is not a final number, and hundreds of others are
still reported as missing.

Our hearts break for our Dominican brothers and sisters and we feel that
it is our duty and mission to help them, particularly the children, many
of whom have lost everything including their parents and are feeling
dejected and depressed.  On that regard, we are soliciting toys for the
kids and in this way perhaps lift their spirits in a small way. We are
also collecting canned foods, clothes, over-the-counter medication,
water,hygene products, pampers, infant formula and other similar items
at 533 Colyton Street, Los Angeles, CA 10013, which will be subsequently
shipped to the island. Volunteers will be there to receive donations
from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week. In addition, an account
at Bank of America (No. 0147603770) has been set up, and which our
Consulate has specifically designated for this tragedy.

We appeal to the warm generosity of the American public to help
alleviate the suffering of their fellow human beings during this
critical moment.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to
contact me. I can also arrange for local collection of emergency
supplies.

Sincerely,

Alba Cruz-Hacker, MFA
Director of Special Projects
General Consulate of the Dominican Republic
in California and the US Western Region
9001 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, Suite 204
Sun Valley, California 91352
(818) 504-6605 / 6602 [office]
(818) 504-6617        [fax]
(909) 534-0165        [cell]