Dominican Republic
COVID-19 Relief in the Dominican Republic: Food & hygiene kits
Help give desperate families in the Dominican Republic COVID-19 relief through food and hygiene kits.
Crisis Response
The Need
The COVID-19 pandemic has, to varying degrees, affected nations worldwide. COVID-19 was first detected in the Dominican Republic in March 2020. The national government took action quickly, implementing widespread closures of all schools, non-essential workplaces and public transportation. The country also established curfews in an attempt to limit human interaction and the spread of the virus.
While the restrictions were put in place to protect public health, they also came with consequences. At least 30 per cent of all formal employment in the country has been suspended, while informal employment opportunities have disappeared entirely. Sudden job loss proved devastating to families who had been working at low-income jobs such as farming, day labour or small trade. These families had already been living close to or below the poverty line, earning less than $3 per day. Out of sheer desperation, many began begging on the streets for food despite the risk of infection.
Families needed food and hygiene items to sustain them through this difficult time. Compassion’s church partners in the Dominican Republic have been working hard to meet the needs around them, but with their already limited resources running out, they needed help.
Our Response
Thanks to you, Compassion was able to distribute food packages and hygiene kits to 1,339 vulnerable families, including 70 pastors. They are so grateful!
Compassion’s partnership facilitators met with local pastors to plan a strategy for the purchase and distribution of the food and hygiene items. Each centre formed committees that were responsible for contacting local vendors to get quotes. While standard food items were suggested in the details of the intervention, each church sourced and purchased appropriate food items available in their community.
Local churches organized the distribution with safety protocols in place, scheduling appointments with families for delivery, while also respecting the national curfew. Some churches were also able to partner with vendors who provided food vouchers for families who were able to obtain the items themselves. Families received enough food and hygiene items to last two weeks. Throughout the intervention, partnership facilitators were in charge of monitoring the process and ensuring the timely completion of all objectives.
Your Gift Provides...
• Food kits for 1,339 households (3 meals per day for 2 weeks):
• 919 Compassion-registered children and their families, 350 unregistered children and their families and 70 pastors
• Kits consisted of food staples such as beans, rice, sugar, oil, sardines, oats, salt, spaghetti, cornmeal and eggs
• Hygiene kits for 1,339 households:
• Laundry soap
• Facemasks
• Hand sanitizer
• Toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Soap
• Toilet paper
• Sanitary items
• Garbage bags
• Chlorine
ReportA message from those your gift helped
Before this intervention there were no resources to meet our basic food and hygiene needs. My mother is single and to provide for us at home she shines cauldrons. Due to this pandemic and the quarantine situation, it had been impossible for her to supply what we needed at home.
Thanks to this intervention, my mother was able to bring food home, which filled us with joy and tranquility. For a few days we did not have to worry about food or hygiene supplies that we might need.
My family and I have learned to trust God, as we are praying for God to provide us with what we need to survive in this time of economic crisis.
I am very grateful for this great blessing, since we had no way to generate income for the family. May God bless you and keep you.
ReportThank you for your generosity
Thanks to you, 1,339 vulnerable children and their families, including 70 dedicated local pastors, were able to receive enough food for two weeks and enough hygiene supplies for a full month. They are so grateful! Not only did beneficiaries receive enough food to meet their immediate needs but also items such as masks and sanitizer to protect themselves and others from contracting COVID-19.
Your gift has done more than simply provide food and security; it has provided our church partners with new opportunities to share the gospel with families and expand their reach in each local community. As word about the churches continues to spread, many more children will be able to join the program and get sponsored.
Your generous support has shown these children and their families that no matter how difficult the circumstances may be, they are not alone. They are learning that God loves them and wants to meet them in their darkest hour. Thank you for showing the love of Christ!
ReportA message from a centre director
This intervention was a great blessing. Our community has few economic opportunities, and given the impact of COVID-19, the situation is more difficult. The beneficiaries were very grateful for the delivery of hygiene kits and food. Through this intervention, the church has been able to help families overcome the economic and health crises in which we find ourselves.
Despite the challenges we are experiencing, we are trusting that God will continue to provide us with wisdom so we can continue to impact the lives of our beneficiaries and their families. This type of intervention brings us closer to families. It is also a great opportunity to spread the gospel so people can see the church identifying with their needs, not only spiritually but in other areas.
May God in His mercy bless you and prosper you greatly for this beautiful gesture. In the midst of this despair and anguish, we can recognize that God is in control of everything and will fulfill His purpose in our lives.