Contact: Press Office, 202-712-4320, Public Information, 202-712-4810, www.usaid.gov

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8 /Standard Newswire/ -- The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are providing $200,000 to support emergency health services in the Dominican Republic in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Noel. This funding will be directed to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) emergency appeal. The programs supported by USAID funding will address immediate health needs including water quality and vector control.

USAID's total assistance for the Dominican Republic in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Noel, including this additional funding, is more than $1.15 million to date. An eight-person USAID disaster assessment team remains on the ground in the country and continues to work with local officials to identify additional needs and ensure assistance quickly reaches those in need. The U.S. Embassy, USAID, the Department of Defense's U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Coast Guard and Peace Corps volunteers are working in concert to provide assistance in the Dominican Republic.

USAID's response to the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms throughout Central America and the Caribbean during the 2007 season is more than $3.55 million to date. Since 2000, USAID has provided more than $145 million in the aftermath of hurricanes and tropical storms throughout Central America and the Caribbean.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.