Contact: media@hispanicfederation.org
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC — Hispanic Federation (HF), the nation’s premier Latino nonprofit membership organization, announced that, since September 2022, it has distributed more than $300,000 in emergency relief funds to local organizations leading recovery and resiliency efforts in the Dominican Republic. Hispanic Federation has awarded the latest round of this funding, totaling $95,000, to three local organizations leading recovery and resiliency work in regions that were heavily affected by Hurricane Fiona.
“In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, Hispanic Federation and our local partners provided immediate support to thousands of individuals and families who experienced flooding, power outages, property destruction and so much more. Together, we ensured that some of the most vulnerable community members had access to shelter, food, water, medical resources, and other basic needs we take for granted. I want to thank Congressman Adriano Espaillat for being a crucial partner in providing these much-needed resources to community organizations in the Dominican Republic. I’d also like to thank all of our local partners for their commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Dominican Republic,” said Frankie Miranda, President and CEO of Hispanic Federation.
“Thank you, Frankie Miranda and the Hispanic Federation, for your ongoing dedication and assistance providing a lifeline for communities throughout the Dominican Republic affected by Hurricane Fiona,” said Congressman Espaillat (NY-13). “You responded without hesitation, and your work leading the post-recovery efforts to provide support of local organizations, help rebuild homes, schools, and farms is commendable. Communities in the Dominican Republic and the families here in New York are truly grateful for your commitment and support.”
In September of 2022, various regions of the Dominican Republic were severely affected by Hurricane Fiona, causing heavy rains, landslides, property destruction, and interruption in local food sources. 12,000 people were displaced, nearly 1.4 million people were left without drinking water, and thousands were left without electricity.
Immediately following the storm, Hispanic Federation established a $100,000 emergency relief fund to support local organizations in the Dominican Republic that were providing life-saving assistance to community members most affected by Hurricane Fiona. In the following days and weeks, the fund grew to $300,000 thanks to Hispanic Federation’s family of supporters and donors as well as a telethon collaboratively held by the Office of Congressman Adriano Espaillat and Hispanic Federation.
The organizations that will be receiving this latest round of funding, and the work they have led, include:
- Comunidad de Padres Dominicos rebuilt the homes and roofs of 121 families in El Seibo, which had 70 percent of its farmland destroyed by Hurricane Fiona. The organization also provided financial assistance to cover medical attention and medicine for community members. With this latest round of funding, the organization will rebuild even more homes and roofs for residents of Bateyes in El Seibo.
- Dominican Republic Education and Mentoring (DREAM) Project, in collaboration with Quisqueya Permacultura, provided essential support to 167 households in the Province of Samaná. This aid included mattresses, towels, utensils, school supplies, clothing, solar lamps, and health kits. The latest round of funding will enable the advancement of their sustainable organic agriculture program, addressing challenges such as the extreme drought the island is experiencing due to the ongoing global climate emergency. DREAM Project also plans to build water collection systems in nine areas and introduce composting with organic matter such as rice and hay, which acts as mulch and helps the soil retain moisture and prevent water loss during rainless periods.
- Fundacion Sur Futuro established a drop-off center in Santo Domingo to provide food, clothing and personal hygiene items to affected families in the province of La Altagracia. The additional funding from HF also helped the organization purchase essential necessities such as medicine, hygienic items, mattresses, mosquito nets, and more to distribute in other vulnerable communities. 1,414 individuals, including 350 families, received food as part of this work. With this latest round of funding, the organization will rebuild and retrofit homes for vulnerable elderly community members and people with disabilities in the Samana community.
Previous organizations that received funding as part of this effort, include:
- Jompeame distributed food and mattresses and rebuilt schools and homes destroyed by Hurricane Fiona in the Samaná region. The organization installed durable zinc roofs to protect local communities from future storms. Jompeame also used the funding to distribute food to 300 affected homes. Additionally, the organization reconstructed Fundacion Pasos de Inclusion which is a nonprofit center that provides care for people with intellectual disabilities, neurodevelopmental disorders, and specific educational support needs through training and therapeutic rehabilitation.
- Clinica de Familia La Romana helped address food insecurity for 60 families affected by HIV through kitchen gardens. The organization also provided food for 30 children and adults experiencing malnutrition and provided mental health services in their health clinic and through home visits. Finally, Clinica de Familia La Romana covered transportation costs for people who visited clinics and for medications not provided by the Ministry of Public Health.
About Hispanic Federation
Hispanic Federation (HF) is a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, founded in 1990, committed to empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, with a focus on low-income, marginalized and immigrant Latinos. With programs in 40 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia, HF’s focus areas include immigration, economic empowerment, civic engagement, disaster relief, philanthropy, education, health, and the environment. HF also maintains ongoing public education campaigns and meets the organizational development needs of its member agencies through grant-making and capacity-building assistance.
