In the past few months the Dominican Republic has been plummeted by two devastating tropical storms.  Tropical Storm Noel, which hit in October, was noted to be the deadliest storm of 2007 with 87 deaths.  Noel hit in the south of the country, where AMIGOS partners with Plan International and affected a number of Plan/AMIGOS communities.  An epidemic of leptospirosis broke out shortly after claiming 30 more lives.  Just recently Tropical Storm Olga tore through the northern part of the country, causing 33 deaths and displacing 61,605 people.  Many agricultural products have been destroyed, along with the loss of thousands of cows, pigs, and other farm animals.  Thousands of roads, highways, bridges, and aqueducts, have either been destroyed or severely damaged.  The people of the Dominican Republic are in definite need of assistance.  President Leonel Fernandez estimated that it would take $265 million to rebuild after Noel.  A dollar amount has not yet been placed on how much it will cost to rebuild what Olga destroyed in her path. (Prensa Latina Report/ New Zeland Herald)         
 
If you would like to provide immediate assistance to the victims, you can donate directly to Plan International <https://www.planusa.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/268095> .  This link will take you to the page “Help families affected by Noel” or you can visit their website at www.planusa.org <http://www.planusa.org/> .