Archive for July, 2024
Results of the X National Census finally presented
The National Statistics Office (ONE) presented the more completed results of the X National Census of 2022 to an audience of government officials and academics.
The results are important to planners and analysts. For example, the census revealed a reduced population growth rate, something that has not happened for more than a century. Dominicans are having less children, but this is not so for the steady migration from Haiti. The Census is more precise in recording Dominicans than the mostly undocumented Haitian population.
Total population was set at 10,773,983. Yet the ONE officials said that about one-fifth (20.5%) of the households were not individually counted. Provinces such as La Altagracia, Santiago, and El Seibo were the most under counted with between 25% and 35% of the households not being individually counted. Likewise, experts say the Haitian population, mostly undocumented, did not sit for the pollsters to carry information on their dwellings or presence nationwide. Provinces showing population increases are mostly those with large migration of Haitian workers and immigrants.
Other data showed that 85% of households had either cement or tile floors, and 82% of houses were made of concrete blocks, half had concrete roofs and 47.5% used corrugated zinc for roofing material. Nearly two-thirds of urban households had access to running water, and 44% in the more rural areas. Public water fountains were still in use in both cities and countryside.
Source: DR1, One, El Caribe
June 4, 2024
The first contingent of the UN police force, from Kenya, arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
The first contingent of the United Nations police force, from Kenya, arrived on 25 June 2024 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and were greeted with alerts from the principle gangs that they would not give up easily.
These gangs, such as the G9 and Barbacue, or Vitel’Homme, or Izo or the 400 Mawozo can trace their origins back to 1950 when the Tonton Macoutes carried out a reign of terror for then-President Francois (Papa Doc) Duvalier.
Now, leaders such as Barbacue (Jimmy Cherizier) have declared war on the police units from Kenya.
The arrival of the Kenyans has not caused the gang activity to cease, at least not in recent days, according to the press. Even the FBI is looking for some to the gang leaders, and the area around the United States Embassy in Port-au-Prince is controlled by the gang called Vitel’Homme, whose leader is one of the 10 most wanted by the FBI.
Source: DR1, Diario Libre
June 4, 2024
Harlem Globetrotters coming to Santo Domingo
The Harlem Globetrotters are returning to Santo Domingo for a 14 September 2024 performance at the Volleyball Pavilion of the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.
The Harlem Globetrotters are the American exhibition basketball team best known for blending sports with entertainment.
The upcoming show in Santo Domingo promises to be a fun and impressive experience for the whole family, featuring audiovisual resources, special effects, and incredible plays that make it a truly unique event.
Tickets for RD$1,800 will go on presale starting 8 July 2024 on Uepa Tickets. The volleyball pavilion seats around 4,000.
The show is produced here by Esa Live and Los Cuatro Fantásticos.
Source; DR!, En Segundos
June 4, 2024
DR spared the brunt of Beryl
There were reports of intense rains in mountain areas, namely central Constanza, but for the most part, the Dominican Republic was spared the impact of Beryl.
AES Dominicana reported that its AES Andrés generator plant and natural gas installations, located in Punta Caucedo in Santo Domingo province, were impacted due to the debris the crashing high waves delivered. The company reported a temporary reduction in its supply of natural gas-fired energy to the national grid. AES Dominicana reported efforts are ongoing to return the units to normalize operations in the shortest time.
In Santo Domingo, there was a burst of intense rain for around 15 minutes. The huge surf on the Malecon was the story. The waves made for a spectacle of nature on the coastal boulevard and the authorities were criticized for not stopping traffic and people’s entry earlier, leaving many to risk their lives for a selfie or vehicles to be destroyed by rocks and debris coming with the enormous waves. It was not until around 4 pm that the authorities closed the coastal roads – Malecon and Avenida España that border the coast.
For the most part, the passing storm did not disrupt life in Santo Domingo. Beryl passed about 330 km from the capital city. Onamet had forecast waves of 9 to 15 feet and urged people to stay away from the coastline.
The waves came with rocks and the lives of those crossing were endangered, as social media videos evidenced. The waves caused damage to the maritime park built by the Santo Domingo city government.
The storm brought some rain, but nothing out of the ordinary in the capital city. Reports from Barahona and Polo farms are the same. The Barahona and Pedernales region in the Southwest was to be the worst hit as it is the southernmost coast of the country. There were reports of some flooding onto the Barahona Malecon, that would soon resolve.
The storm passed as a Hurricane 5 storm with winds of more than 250 kph. Weather forecasters have called unprecedented that Hurricane 5 in June-July, a call of alert to what could be coming as the season unfolds. Usually, big storms happen in September.
Beryl is described as an unprecedented storm but forecasters say the high temperatures in the Caribbean Sea, worsened by the cyclical presence of La Niña, create the conditions in place for the repeat of similar situations. On Friday, 28 June 2024, tropical depression Beryl was first reported making its way towards the Caribbean. By Sunday, it was a hurricane, breaking the record in the Caribbean for the time it took for a major storm to develop. Beryl was the earliest storm to become a Category 4 storm, with sustained winds of 209-251 kph. Beryl also broke the record of speed in becoming a Category 5 storm.
Beryl also proved the fickleness of storms. All computer models had shown it would be a direct hit on Jamaica. Now, Beryl is tracking further south, which should reduce the impact of fierce winds and driving rain on that western island.
Scientists are predicting an active 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season, and Beryl embodies this reality. The forecast is for eight to 13 hurricanes with devastating winds of upwards of 120 kph.
The forecast is for four to seven of the projected hurricanes to reach Category 3. Beryl reached Category 5.
Beryl so far devastated the tiny island of Carriacou island, Grenada. Beryl’s message is to be prepared for the worst.
Source: DR1, Listin Diario
June 4, 2024
There is a blood shortage in the Dominican Republic
As anyone who needs a blood transfusion in an emergency will quickly learn, there is a blood shortage in the Dominican Republic because donating blood is not yet part of the culture.
In the DR, as in other countries, the availability of blood for treatments requiring transfusions is a crucial component of the healthcare system. Certain blood types are particularly scarce and difficult to obtain, posing a significant challenge for patients in need of emergency care and vital medical treatments, Listin Diario reports.
The country faces shortages, especially with Rh-negative blood types such as O- and A-, which can often become scarce and hard to find, doctors Sócrates Sosa and Pedro Sing told Listin Diario.
Approximately 85% of the population is Rh-positive, leaving only about 15% Rh-negative.
“The distribution of blood types within a population depends largely on its ethnic makeup. In our population, the most common blood type is O+ at around 46%, followed by A+ at 28%. B+ accounts for about 10%, with all other negative types—A-, O-, B-, and AB-—each below 10%, and AB- being just 1% worldwide,” Sing Ureña, current director of the National Hemocenter explains.
Yet, separately, Dr. Sosa said: “Even the most common type, O+, can run short at times due to issues in blood supply management and a lack of donation culture focused on meeting specific needs.”
Both specialists agreed that a major issue in the country is the insufficient culture of voluntary blood donation. “Ideally, the Dominican Republic should aim for a donation rate of around 12 per thousand, whereas currently, we are only achieving about 4 per thousand, despite significant efforts in voluntary collections,” noted Sing, advocating for a cultural shift towards regular donations and regulated costs.
Sosa emphasized the need for targeted campaigns to encourage donations among groups most in need. “A continuous promotion of voluntary blood donation tailored to specific blood type demands is essential,” he stressed, lamenting the inadequate supply currently available.
Bottom line is know your blood type and know who could be your donors before you need them.
The largest blood bank is the Red Cross, followed by that at the Hemocentro Nacional.
Source: DR1, Listin Diario
June 4, 2024
Boca Chica beach vendors hard hit by hurricane Beryl
Businesses and boat docks in Boca Chica, about half an hour east of the capital city, saw damages caused by the intense winds, rains and surf that came with Hurricane Beryl.
Several commercial beach stations were partially or completely destroyed.
El Dia reported that at Marina ZarPar’s docks, which specializes in boat rentals in this district, all of their piers were damaged by the strong waves. “Now we have to start from scratch to rebuild all those docks because not a single one was left intact,” said Adalberto Rosario, who handles various tasks at the marina. Workers were seen removing the boards that were destroyed by the heavy overnight waves.
Other businesses catering food and beverages also suffered, as the waves destroyed the boards they use to shield their patrons when they come to eat or drink by the seaside.
“I’ve been seeing storms and all sorts of things here for over 40 years and it had never done this before; even the breakwater got damaged, but it will recover in two or three months,” said Brandon Sánchez, better known as El Rubio.
On Tuesday, 3 July, AES Dominicana has reported its power plant would be temporarily out of operation. The power plant is located in Punta Caucedo, next door to Boca Chica.
The Caribbean coast properties suffered damages during the passing of Beryl.
Source: DR1, El Dia
June 4, 2024
Last updated January 23, 2026 at 4:16 pm