US aid reaches stricken Caribbean island
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE AMERICAN relief effort for the Dominican Republic gained momentum yesterday, as tons of bottled water and plastic sheeting were ferried in for thousands of struggling storm victims.
More than 200 people were killed, hundreds are missing and 100,000 were left homeless when Hurricane Georges struck the Dominican Republic last week. Most of the victims died in flooding or mudslides.
At the weekend, the United States Agency for International Development said the hurricane death toll in the Dominican Republic "is almost certain to exceed 500".
The US has shipped $500,000 (pounds 303,000) worth of supplies, including enough plastic sheeting to re-roof 15,000 homes.
Helicopter crews were hoping to reach San Juan de la Maguana, 120 miles west of the capital, Santo Domingo, where 76 bodies were recovered on Thursday. Half the town was under water or buried in mud.
In Cuba, where five people were killed in the storm and thousands left homeless, President Fidel Castro said the speedy evacuation of hundreds of thousands of people probably saved many more from dying during Georges' march across the island last Friday.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments