Higüey, La Altagracia.- José Ignacio Paliza, the Minister of the Presidency, visited the municipality of Higuey in La Altagracia province to assess the damage caused by the recent atmospheric phenomenon. He also supervised the first phase of the gabion wall construction along the Duey River, an eight-kilometer project valued at over 1,200 million pesos. This initiative benefits over 120,000 people in 20 sectors. Paliza highlighted that the government’s investment in these flood mitigation works, especially following storm Fiona, has significantly reduced the impact of river flooding, with nearly no adverse effects in completed areas.
Paliza stressed the importance of continuing these projects to protect communities from the increased risk of flooding due to climate change. He urged citizens to stay alert and follow the instructions of the Emergency Operations Center (COE) during ongoing rainfall. The minister also reported that 483 homes across the country were affected, with 289 in La Altagracia, the province most impacted by the rains. Tragically, a Haitian national lost his life while attempting to cross a river during the flooding.
In response to the situation, COE Director General Juan Manuel Méndez confirmed that 18 provinces are on yellow alert, and 8 are on green, as the tropical wave continues to bring varying levels of rainfall to La Altagracia. Yadira Henríquez, Director of the Social Assistance Plan, announced the delivery of food and household supplies to vulnerable areas, while Edgar Feliz, Director of Comedores Económicos, organized two mobile kitchens to provide meals to affected residents.