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.

New York City.- The Batey Relief Alliance (BRA) is dispatching on April 9th a multinational team of medical experts, students and other volunteers to the border of Haiti and the Dominican on a six-day medical mission. ?The purpose is to reinforce BRA?s Humanitarian Health Relief Operation that started on March 15th at the border resulting from recent political crises in Haiti,? said Ulrick Gaillard, Executive Director of the BRA.

The operation is coordinated with BRA?s partner and member organizations, including the Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad (AMHE), Servicio Social de Iglesias (SSID), Fundación Todo por la Salud (FUNTOSALUD), Dominican?s State Sugar Council (CEA) and BRA Dominicana.

Week-long chaos and lack of fuel for electricity and water have forced the closure of most Haiti’s hospitals and health centers. Road closures have stopped distribution of essential drugs and vaccines. The World Health Organization estimates 1.3 million Haitians have suffered as a result. Children, pregnant women and people with chronic diseases such as tuberculosis are at most risk.

?Approximately fourty volunteer pediatricians, internists, dentists, nurses, public health experts, infectious disease specialists, medical students and others will leave the United States starting April 9th heading for the Dominican Republic?s border, where they will be joined by local Dominican and Haitian health providers,? added Gaillard.

According to the WHO, Haiti’s health system, which relies on humanitarian aid, was suffering even before the crises. AIDS is the leading cause of death followed by diarrhea and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and small and large intestines). The poorest country in the Americas, up to 33% of Haiti?s children is malnourished. One in ten children will die before their 5th birthday (13x U.S. rate). Only half of households have access to safe water. Life expectancy is 53 years and decreasing. 30% live on less than 1 $US/day.

The BRA?s operation will take place in Dajabón and Manzanillo where 1000 children and adults per day are expected to reach the makshift clinics to receive free medical and dental care, medicines, vitamins, food, clothing, hygiene products, food suplement and toys. Others from nearby localities, including Juana Méndez, Derac, Meac, Ouanaminthe, Fond Parisien and Las Cahobas will too visit the relief areas. ?Our goal is to provide emergency care to and assess health care needs of a very vulnerable population,? said Dr. Raymond Thertulien, BRA?s medical director.

BRA has earmarked $3 million in donated medicines and food products for the three-month long relief intervention. Donors include the Catholic Medical Mission Board, Direct Relief International, Food for the Poor, Wallkill Rotary Club, Denville Girls Scout and individual contributors.

We encourage you to visit the BRA?s website at www.bateyrelief.org to receive daily updates of the mission ? and to send your comments and suggestions.

BRA desperately needs your support to keep saving the lives of children and families affected by misery, diseases, and political and cultural situations in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Please click on BRA?s Donate Now! button, at www.bateyrelief.org, and make a secure online gift.

If you need to communicate with us during the mission, please contact Ulrick Gaillard at (809) 767-1971, (809) 540-4947 or bra@bateyrelief.org.
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