04 December, 2009
PIANTINI, Santo Domingo, D.R. – During its recently-held annual board meeting in the state of Rhode Island, the Batey Relief Alliance’s Board of Directors unanimously approved the organization’s 2010 budget of $5.7 million to carry out humanitarian work in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and the United States.
“BRA will implement various important projects in the Dominican Republic, including a new Agricultural Development, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment, Blindness Prevention, Preventive Healthcare and Education, Nutrition and Micronutrients, Water and Sanitation, Child Healthcare, and Disaster Relief” said Ulrick Gaillard, BRA’s CEO. In Haiti, BRA will carry out other programs in Water and Sanitation, Child Healthcare, Micronutrients and Women’s Economic Empowerment. Gaillard added that the organization will also dedicate effort to educate the New York City immigrant population about HIV/AIDS and prevention techniques.
BRA’s work will address the socio-economic and health needs of children and their families severely affected by extreme poverty, disease and hunger inside the Dominican’s vulnerable bateyes, rural communities and urban slums; Haiti’s border regions; and New York’s inner city barrios. More than 25,000 people are expected to receive direct health-related services from BRA’s clinics while another 80,000 will benefit from its indirect intervention through partnerships with 15 local groups receiving support in donated medical goods, supplies and equipment; 35,000 more will enjoy food security and economic self-sufficiency while 60,000 children are expected to receive multivitamins, nutrition and antiparasitic medicines.
BRA’s strategic partners for 2010 will include the United States Department of Agriculture, United States Agency for International Development, Clinton Foundation’s HIV/AIDS Initiative, New York State Department of Health, Engineers without Borders, Dominican’s Ministry of Health, Department of Agriculture and State Sugar Council, Presbyterian Church-USA, Partners In Health, FONKOZE, Esperanza International, Major League Baseball-Dominican Development Alliance, Direct Relief International, Catholic Medical Mission Board, National Cancer Coalition, Vitamin Angel Alliance, Nordic Naturals, United Natural Food Inc., IDA Foundation, and University of Indiana. More than 75 volunteers are expected to be recruited to share their expertise in the areas of healthcare, education, fundraising and media outreach.
