The growing poverty in the Dominican Republic isn't a matter of economics. More than anything, it's a direct result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Prior to covid-19 the Dominican Republic had the largest and fastest growing economy in the Caribbean and Central American region. But that economic growth was fueled by the hospitality industry and construction jobs driven by tourism.

With the suspension of most of the international flights and closure of tourist hotels and resorts, the largest segment of their economy has come to a screeching halt.

With no money coming in and very little in the way of government assistance, the majority of people can not afford masks or covid testing. If covid is to be stopped in developing countries like the Dominican Republic and Haiti then the same mask protocols must be followed that proved effective in developed nations.

In the Dominican Republic prior to the pandemic, 30% of the country lived below the poverty level. In one year that number has risen to over 60%. They simply can not afford masks ($1 or $2 retail) or covid tests which cost about 1000 pesos ($18) .

Please help us provide PPE to frontline healthcare & the less fortunate

Please help with a small donation

MANY NURSES ARE FORCED TO WORK WITHOUT PPE

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican College of Nursing Professionals (CODOPENF) and the National Union of Dominican Nursing Services (UNASED) on Wednesday demanded that the Minister of Public Health, provide them with protective equipment

They said that Rafael Sánchez Cárdenas is exposing the lives of the medical personnel to patients infected with COVID-19, in the different health centers nationwide.

“We have repeatedly denounced and requested the competent authorities, through the media, the need to protect nursing personnel who are exposed day by day on the front line in all hospitals in the country, fighting to safeguard the lives of corona virus-positive patients,” Union president Antonia Rodríguez said During a press conference.

"Our difficulties are the same as in other countries. Lack of personal protective equipment and the struggle to force authorities to find this equipment and prevent a ‘doctors only’ discrimination in the distribution of equipment..." - Julio César García, SINATRAE (El Sindicato Nacional de Trabajadores de Enfermería ) - (The National Union of Nursing Workers

AMERIHAND IS TRYING TO FILL THE GAPS BY DONATING FREE MASKS TO
FRONTLINE HEALTHCARE WORKERS, the poor & HIGH RISK ELDERLY.

We are asking for donations to ensure the safety of frontline healthcare personnel in clinics and hospitals throughout the Dominican Republic by providing free masks to frontline healthcare as well as anyone 65+ at high risk .

We are asking for donations of $5 to cover the cost of producing, shipping and distributing 10 protective masks or $10 for 20 masks, $25 for 50 masks or any amount you would like to donate to protect frontline healthcare workers and those most at risk.

Please help us provide masks to healthcare workers, the elderly and the less fortunate who can not afford masks or a covid test.

All donations are tax deductible.

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Please help with a small donation