The United Nations International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women (UN-INSTRAW) is participating actively in the provision of emergency response of Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic. The storm left the country in a state of national emergency where response and recovery efforts continue. According to the latest reports from the National Emergency Committee (CNE), 87 people have been killed, 48 are still unaccounted for and approximately 3,400 have been rescued from dangerous situations. Some 16,700 houses have been completely or partially destroyed and 26 out of 32 provinces (80 % of the country) have been seriously affected.
In order to adequately respond to the effects of this natural disaster, UN-INSTRAW participated in an assessment of damages and a Flash Appeal, which included a detailed situation analysis to guide humanitarian efforts, a stakeholder analysis and a clear statement of long-term objectives. The Flash Appeal was issued by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Country Team in
the Dominican Republic. This team mirrors the IASC structure at headquarters and includes UN agencies, such as UN-INSTRAW, and standing invitees such as the International Organization for Migration, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and various NGOs.
The UN System in the Dominican Republic has been working with national authorities, NGOs and other organizations present in the country to promote coherence in information and coordination of humanitarian activities. Even though the weather has improved over the last weeks, and flood levels have receded, the damages caused by flooding remain, including the impact on infrastructure, housing and farmland. Additionally, the secondary effects of flooding on health and nutrition, which include an increase in water-borne bacteria and infection, will continue to increase unless efficiently and effectively addressed.
The circumstances created by Tropical Storm Noel have made certain population groups particularly vulnerable and in need of assistance. On the basis of several rapid assessments conducted by the UN System in the Dominican Republic, in collaboration with the Dominican Red Cross and SESPAS, it is evident that the most affected groups are women and children.
The economic marginalization of women and their unequal access to resources, women´s responsibility for domestic duties, which increases in times of disaster, and women´s role as the primary care-providers for children, the elderly, the disabled and the sick, are some of the factors that increase their vulnerability to natural disasters. Women also have specific reproductive health needs that must be met and are more vulnerable to gender-based violence, particularly in isolated, unsafe environments such as temporary shelters or relief camps.
Physical and psychological stress and challenges to traditional gender roles that arise in the aftermath of a disaster can also lead to increased household conflict and violence. Poorly-designed camps can increase women´s risk of violence in basic facilities such as bathing areas. Violence against women has profound and lasting physical and psychological impacts, and can lead to death and suicide, unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, emotional and psychosocial disorders, and trauma. Moreover, violence impedes women´s mobility, impacting upon their ability to obtain food, water and other basic necessities or search for employment or other economic opportunities.
UN-INSTRAW has therefore participated in the rapid response with local authorities, placing special emphasis on protecting the female victims of Noel. Priority needs include water and basic sanitation, access to isolated communities, and special attention to hygienical articles and food for pregnant woman, children and infants. Moreover, there is a need to support the strengthening of local institutions to provide protection for women, adolescent girls and children.
UN-INSTRAW takes action to help women in post-disaster situations
In collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and other partners such as the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the Secretary of Public Health and Social Assistance of Dominican Republic, the Dominican Red Cross and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), UN-INSTRAW places special emphasis on the protection of women, man, girls and boys in post-disaster situations. Low-income women, single mothers, pregnant women, nursing mothers, widows and those belonging to marginalized racial or cultural groups are particularly vulnerable to emergency situations and therefore need more support and assistance. If humanitarian interventions fail to address the distinct needs of women and men, they can aggravate existing gender inequalities and further marginalize these vulnerable groups.
In collaboration with UNICEF, UN-INSTRAW will conduct an analysis of post-disaster gender violence and will collect data on gender-based violence in order to better respond to vulnerable groups´ needs. The activities will include the collection of quantitative data disaggregated by sex and age through both questionnaires with women and children in emergency shelters, and interviews with target groups such as opinion leaders, security personnel and health sector personnel working with victims of violence. The beneficiaries of this project will be 65,000 affected women and children whose lives have been seriously affected by tropical storm Noel.
Furthermore, UN-INSTRAW gender experts will work with UNFPA in order to strengthen the local capacity to meet the health, psychological, and legal needs of Noel victims by conducting a rapid assessment to identify the most affected groups and areas. Finally, UN-INSTRAW will conduct gender training for personnel working in emergency response in order to adequately prevent and respond to gender-based violence, such as gun violence, domestic violence, and sexual violence. The beneficiaries will be 100,000 people whose lives have been seriously affected by Tropical Storm Noel and who now, with the help of UN-INSTRAW, will hopefully be able to build a more promising future.
Press contact:
Valeria Vilardo, Communications Associate,
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