NO DESTRUCTION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC BY HAITI EARTHQUAKE

The Embassy of the Dominican Republic informs the public that the earthquake of 12 January which affected neighbouring Haiti did not cause any destruction in the Dominican Republic.The earthquake had its epicentre west of Haiti´s capital Port-au-Prince. It was felt in the Dominican Republic only as a tremor of 3.4 on the Richter scale and there were no reports of damages to roads, airports or buildings. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre had temporarily issued an alert in the minutes following the earthquake but this has now been cancelled and the threat of a tsunami caused by this earthquake has disappeared. All activities in the Dominican Republic continue as normal.

The Dominican Republic experienced no damage from the earthquake in Haiti

Statement from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Tourism The Dominican Republic (DR) Ministry of Tourism is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and extensive earthquake damage to the people of Haiti, its neighboring country. The Dominican government is providing relief effort staging areas at some at some of the international airports located on the Island.

The DR experienced no damage from the earthquake and all transportation systems, communication systems, tourism businesses and medical facilities are operating smoothly, making the country available to offer support to the relief effort in any way needed.

“The DR is making available its medical facilities for earthquake victims and is providing international relief organizations access to Haiti through the airports and seaports. Our transportation systems, communications systems, hotels, resorts, beaches and natural environment suffered no damage here. We are grateful and with deep concern open our hearts to our neighbors and will continue to do everything we can to help them and reassure global travelers that the DR is receiving visitors.” said Mr. Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism.

The DR shares the eastern third of the Island of Hispaniola with Haiti. Punta Cana, the major global tourism destination in the DR is located approximately 400 miles (633 kilometers) east of Haiti’s capital, or a 10-12 hour drive, with numerous mountain ranges separating the two countries.

DR Tourism Update:
All of the DR’s eight international airports are open and receiving flights.
All of the DR’s cruise terminals and seaports are open and receiving ships.
All of the DR’s beaches, hotels, resorts and tourism businesses are conducting normal business operations.
At this time, no flights or group tours to the DR have been cancelled.

For more information, please visit: www.GoDominicanRepublic.com or www.DomincanToday.com

To learn how you can help Haiti, visit: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/

Dominican Presidency Statement: Dominican Republic establishes measures to facilitate transit of persons and aid through the border with Haiti

The Presidency of the Dominican Republic has temporarily relaxed migration conditions with regard to Haiti, in order to facilitate aid to the neighbouring country which was devastated by an earthquake last Tuesday.

The Dominican government has instructed Migration personnel to facilitate procedures for Haitians and citizens of other countries who cross the border in search of assistance.

From last Tuesday the President of the Dominican Republic instructed authorities in charge of Migration and the Armed Forces to deploy their resources to facilitate aid and assistance to the victims.

The Dominican Republic was the first nation to send assistance to the neighbouring country, with shipments of food, water, medicines and emergency workers.

President Fernández authorised the Presidency´s Social Plan to deliver 300,000 raw food rations every day, and the country´s Comedores Económicos (low-cost canteens) are handing out 10,000 cooked food rations every day.

Offices in charge of water resources have set up eight units with a capacity each to process 2,000 gallons, to help meet demand for the needed liquid.

The Dominican government has also sent into Haiti 40 units of heavy lifting equipment, diggers and dump trucks.

In addition, 300 emergency workers with trained search dogs have travelled to Haiti.

As of Thursday morning more than 100 helicopter journeys by the Armed Forces and by the Ministry of Public health had transported injured persons across the border.

Aid Agencies Launch Appeals for Haiti

Several aid agencies with a long-standing presence in Haiti are accepting donations toward the relief efforts after the devastating earthquake of 12 January, such as: Disasters Emergency Committee (www.dec.org.uk) Médicins sans Frontières (www.msf.org.uk) Progressio (www.progressio.org.uk)

Events

Three art shows at Museum of Modern Art
Santo Domingo
Until February 2010

The Museum of Modern Art in Plaza de la Cultura in Santo Domingo presents three new art exhibits by Spanish artist Augusti Centelles (photography), Puerto Rican Julio Suarez (painting) and Dominican Elvis Aviles (painting).

Fernando Pena Defilló exhibition
Centro León, Santiago
Until February 2010

Centro Leon in Santiago presents an individual retrospective of very famous Dominican painter Fernando Pena Defilló, El Eterno Retorno.http://www.centroleon.org.do