13 April, 2004
Dajabon, Dominican Republic -. On this April 13th, 2004, more than thirty-eight health care professionals from the United States, sponsored by the Batey Relief Alliance (BRA Dominicana), are providing emergency medical and dental care to hundreds of impoverished Haitian and Dominican families at the Dominicano-Haitian border town called Dajabon.
The BRA?s Dajabon medical relief intervention, co-sponsored by BRA?s member organization, Servicio Social de Iglesias Dominicanas (SSID), is taking place only eight blocks from the border gate, inside church-run facilities, Iglesia Evangelica Missioneros, where makeshift clinics and a pharmacy are set up to attend the immediate health needs of the populations. ?Various Dominican government and military institutions are collaborating with the BRA to help those from Haiti who need the care the most receive it,? said Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of the BRA.
Lieutenant Colonel Garcia Ramon of the Dominican National Guard, stationed at the Immigration and customs office, said to BRA, ??in light of the recent crisis in Haiti, there is no trust in the security coming from Haiti. The Haitian police have left their station, and now only the French army troops provide limited reinforcement. While we have to make sure that our borders are controlled and secured, in this particular case of a humanitarian relief intervention, we are being flexible.?
Since the depart from office of Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide almost two months ago, thousands of Haitian merchants continue to cross the border into the Dominican Republic daily to exchange, sell or buy consumer products. Maritza Jimenez, Executive Director of BRA?s member local organization, Fundacion Todo Por La Salud (FUNTOSALUD) said, ?We are brothers and sisters with Haitians. Our economies depend on each other to survive. No matter what is being said out there about a Haitian passive invasion or bilateral political tensions, this is just crazy stuff. This border can never be shut down to severely affect the interests of big businesses.? Haiti?s assistant Consul in Dajabon, Mr. Patrick Emilien, concurred with Ms. Jimenez.
BRA will spend one more day in Dajabon before heading for Manzanillo where it will continue to assist other needy families. Log onto our website at www.bateyrelief.org to receive daily updates of our mission.
Please support our work by mailing your check payable to Batey Relief Alliance, at P.O. Box 300565, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11230. You may also make your gift online by clicking on our Donate Now! button at www.bateyrelief.org.
