Carib Scope

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  • Government asks the population to stay away from rivers and coasts

    Government asks the population to stay away from rivers and coasts

    Residents of the Dominican Republic are preparing for severe weather this weekend, after national authorities activated full emergency response protocols on Friday ahead of an approaching frontal system forecast to bring heavy, widespread rainfall across much of the country. The announcement followed a high-level coordination meeting led by President Luis Abinader at the National Palace in Santo Domingo, where officials confirmed the government would operate in permanent session to monitor the storm’s progression and coordinate rapid responses to any emerging hazards.

    Following the meeting, Juan Manuel Méndez, general director of the country’s Emergency Operations Center (COE), issued clear guidance to the public: all residents are asked to avoid recreational visits to coastal areas, and to cooperate fully with mandatory evacuation orders for communities located in high-risk, vulnerable zones. Méndez emphasized that public compliance is critical to preventing avoidable loss of life, stressing that non-cooperation during evacuations could put both residents and first responders at unnecessary risk.

    Two tiers of weather alerts are currently in effect across 19 provinces and the National District. Five provinces — Monseñor Nouel, Santiago Rodríguez, Santiago, La Vega, and Monte Cristi — are under yellow alert, indicating elevated risk of severe weather impacts. A green alert, signaling preliminary preparedness is required, covers the National District, the province of Santo Domingo, Elías Piña, San José de Ocoa, Monte Plata, Puerto Plata, Dajabón, Duarte (with a specific focus on the vulnerable Lower Yuna region), San Cristóbal, Valverde, San Juan, Independencia, and Bahoruco.

    According to updates from the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet), rainfall is set to begin in the early hours of Saturday and persist through the entire day. Over a 24 to 48-hour window, total precipitation accumulation is expected to reach 100 to 125 millimeters across most affected areas, driven by the combination of the approaching frontal system and an associated trough. Forecasters project rain will intensify through Saturday afternoon, bringing moderate to extreme downpours, with risks of isolated hailstorms, severe thunderstorms, and strong wind gusts. The hardest-hit areas are expected to include Greater Santo Domingo, Monte Plata, Sánchez Ramírez, Duarte, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Espaillat, Hermanas Mirabal, and much of the Cibao region, with particularly severe conditions forecast for the Central Mountain Range, the country’s border region, and southwestern provinces.

    Méndez warned that widespread soil saturation will increase the likelihood of flash flooding across large swathes of the country, and alert levels may be upgraded to higher tiers if the weather system intensifies beyond current projections. In addition to flood risk, Indomet has flagged hazards including urban flooding, rising water levels in rivers and streams, landslides in hilly terrain, and sudden wind gusts. The agency noted that alert levels will be updated continuously over the next 72 hours as new weather data becomes available.

    Alongside storm warnings, meteorological officials added that hot, humid conditions will persist before and after rain events, driven by warm, moist wind flow from the east and southeast. In urban areas, the heat index will reach particularly high levels, prompting Indomet to recommend that residents wear lightweight clothing, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, and limit extended exposure to direct sunlight.

    President Abinader reaffirmed the government’s commitment to proactive preparation, stating that national authorities will remain on constant alert to monitor every development of the weather system across the entire country, with resources pre-positioned to respond to any emergency that arises. “The Government will be attentive to every situation throughout the country, both to anticipate and to react in any case,” Abinader said. Méndez echoed this call for vigilance, urging all residents, even those not currently under elevated alerts, to follow guidance from civil protection agencies, monitor official weather updates closely, and avoid complacency. He added that residents should never attempt to cross swollen rivers, streams, or ravines while rain is ongoing, a leading cause of storm-related fatalities in tropical weather events.

  • Minister Aubourg promotes fishing productivity

    Minister Aubourg promotes fishing productivity

    In a working visit to Haiti’s far northern regions this week, Marcelin Aubourg, the country’s Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development (MARNDR), led a inter-agency delegation to assess the progress of ongoing fisheries infrastructure development projects, part of a broader national push to unlock the sector’s untapped economic potential for coastal communities.

    The delegation’s first stop was Fort-Liberté, where they toured a local facility manufacturing marine engines and new fishing vessels. Bernard Chauvet, general manager of the workshop, confirmed that 20 of the 80 ordered fiberglass fishing boats will be ready for delivery by the end of May. Built at four feet wide, each vessel is outfitted with an average 15-horsepower engine, specifically engineered to withstand deep-sea fishing conditions that are common off Haiti’s northern coast.

    On April 10, 2026, Aubourg convened a working meeting with representatives from local fishing associations at the North Departmental Directorate of Agriculture (DDAN). During the talks, the minister stressed that fishing has evolved into one of Haiti’s most promising high-growth sectors for rural livelihoods. He noted a striking cultural shift in the industry: unlike decades past when fishing was often viewed as an unstable, low-status occupation, today’s Haitian fishermen embrace their professional identity, as the trade now reliably generates enough income to support their households. Aubourg, who previously served as departmental director of agriculture for the South and Grand’Anse regions, urged northern fishermen to fully invest in their work, noting that expanded infrastructure and training will open pathways to long-term improvements in household income and quality of life.

    The on-site inspections and community meetings are part of Haiti’s broader Program to Support Agricultural and Fisheries Productivity and Improve Rural Infrastructure for Market Access (PAPAIR), a national initiative focused specifically on boosting fisheries output and rehabilitating outdated coastal fishing infrastructure. After delivering measurable positive outcomes for small-scale fishing communities in Haiti’s southern departments, the program is now rolling out to the northern and northeastern regions.

    Laurent Mérisier, an agricultural engineer and one of three national PAPAIR coordinators, shared details on the program’s early progress in the north. To date, roughly 20 local fishing associations—15 in the North department and five in the Northeast—have completed technical training as part of the initiative’s organizational capacity-building component. Each participating association will receive four of the 80 new fishing boats currently under construction. All vessels will come fully equipped with marine engines and modern fish preservation tools, a upgrade that will particularly benefit small-scale fishmongers who rely on fresh product to serve local markets.

    PAPAIR is a flagship project of the Haitian government, implemented through MARNDR, with financial backing from two major international development bodies: the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP).

  • Rode Kruis activeert landelijke aanpak tegen Chikungunya

    Rode Kruis activeert landelijke aanpak tegen Chikungunya

    As Suriname grapples with a growing Chikungunya outbreak, the Suriname Red Cross has rolled out a structured, community-focused response program to curb transmission and protect at-risk populations, according to the organization’s director general Glenn Wijngaarde.

    The initiative, which launched in early March and will run through the end of July, prioritizes public education, preventive action, and targeted support for vulnerable groups across the country’s highest-risk districts, including the capital district Paramaribo, Commewijne, and Nickerie. Among the populations receiving heightened attention are pregnant women, children, older adults, and school communities, which face greater potential complications from the viral infection.

    A core pillar of the program is eliminating breeding sites for the Aedes aegypti mosquito—the primary vector that carries the Chikungunya virus. Red Cross volunteers are conducting door-to-door outreach across affected communities to raise awareness about how maintaining a clean living environment and eliminating standing water can cut down on mosquito populations. Complementing these on-the-ground efforts, the organization is also running widespread public awareness campaigns through traditional media and social media platforms to reach broader audiences.

    Chikungunya is transmitted by the same mosquito species that spreads two other major tropical viruses: dengue and Zika. The transmission cycle begins when an uninfected mosquito bites a person already carrying the virus, then carries the pathogen to other healthy individuals through subsequent bites. This is why eliminating mosquito breeding grounds—primarily pools of standing water where the insects lay their eggs—is the most critical step in slowing and stopping outbreak spread.

    To ensure the response is coordinated and efficient, the Suriname Red Cross is working closely with national public health authorities. The organization holds regular coordination meetings with the National Chikungunya Working Group to align activities, share data, and avoid duplication of efforts across response teams. The entire emergency response operation is funded by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the global body that supports national Red Cross societies in delivering humanitarian and public health action.

  • What does flood insurance really cover? A guide to protecting your assets.

    What does flood insurance really cover? A guide to protecting your assets.

    As extreme weather events grow more frequent across the globe, homeowners and vehicle owners face increasing urgency to understand the fine print of their insurance policies to safeguard their valuable assets. Leading insurance provider Mapfre has recently broken down common misconceptions around flood and water damage coverage, highlighting critical gaps that many policyholders only discover after disaster strikes.

    For residential and commercial multi-risk property policies, Mapfre’s Technical Director of General and Property Insurance Yesenia Vásquez confirmed that flood protection is included as a standard feature in most contracts. However, the company warns of a common cost-cutting choice that leaves many property owners unprotected: customers can opt to voluntarily remove flood coverage from their policy to reduce their annual premium. While this choice lowers immediate costs, Vásquez emphasized that it can lead to devastating financial losses when extreme flooding occurs.

    Mapfre also draws a clear technical distinction between flooding and other forms of water damage that are not covered by standard flood policies. For insurance purposes, flooding is officially defined as water originating outside a property that inundates and penetrates the building, damaging both the structural core (including walls and flooring) and personal or commercial contents such as furniture and equipment. In contrast, Vásquez noted that water damage resulting from internal issues like clogged pipe leaks, failing roof seals, or general poor maintenance does not qualify as flooding, and these claims will be denied under standard flood coverage. These types of damage are considered the responsibility of the property owner, who is expected to complete routine upkeep to prevent avoidable failures.

    When it comes to personal and commercial vehicles, the rules around water damage coverage differ significantly from property policies. Francisco Pérez Cuevas, Mapfre’s Technical Director of Auto Insurance, explained that water and flood damage is never included as an automatic feature of basic auto insurance policies. Instead, drivers must add this coverage as a separate add-on to their existing contract to be protected.

    Pérez Cuevas also pushed back against the widespread marketing term “full coverage insurance”, noting that this phrase is more of a promotional tool than a technically accurate description of a policy. “Many consumers assume that a ‘full coverage’ policy protects them against every possible risk, but that simply is not the case,” he explained. “It is essential that every policy holder review their specific coverage line-by-line, and explicitly ask their insurance provider whether their contract includes water and flood damage for their vehicle.”

    To help property and vehicle owners avoid costly surprises when filing a claim, Mapfre experts have outlined three core checks every insured person should complete before disaster strikes:

    First, always distinguish between flooding and routine leaks. Insurance is designed to cover extraordinary, external natural events, not damage that results from a property owner’s failure to complete routine maintenance on internal systems like pipes and roofs.

    Second, verify that both the physical structure of your property and all personal or commercial contents inside are explicitly included in your flood coverage. Flooding can damage everything from a building’s foundation to household appliances, and gaps in coverage can leave major costs uncovered.

    Third, never assume coverage based on the marketing name of your policy. Always ask your insurance advisor to provide a full written breakdown of all excluded risks, so there is no confusion when you need to file a claim.

    At its core, effective asset protection against rising extreme weather relies on more than just paying insurance premiums. It requires a clear understanding of exactly what your policy covers, and where exclusions apply. The difference between recovering your property after a flood and suffering a total financial loss often comes down to reviewing the details of your insurance contract before a disaster occurs.

  • Dominican Republic increased the number of provinces under Red Alert for 4 Provinces due to heavy rain and flood risk

    Dominican Republic increased the number of provinces under Red Alert for 4 Provinces due to heavy rain and flood risk

    The Dominican Republic’s emergency management authorities have rolled out a three-tiered national alert system, placing four northern provinces on the highest risk red alert as adverse weather conditions threaten widespread flooding across large swathes of the country.

    The four red-flagged provinces, which face the most severe potential hazards, are Puerto Plata, Valverde, Espaillat, and María Trinidad Sánchez. Beyond these high-risk zones, the country’s capital National District and an additional 14 provinces have been placed under yellow alert, signaling a moderate level of danger, while the remaining seven provinces carry the lowest-level green alert status, indicating minimal immediate risk.

    The nation’s Emergency Operations Committee (COE), which manages disaster preparedness and response, confirmed that the tiered alerts were triggered by growing threats of multiple flood types. At-risk areas face potential overflow across rivers, small streams, and natural ravines, alongside the looming possibility of sudden flash floods and standing water in dense urban areas.

    This latest alert update draws on official data and forecasts from two leading national institutions: the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet) and the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INDRHI). Technical assessments from both agencies confirm that atmospheric conditions across the country remain primed for sustained rainfall. A slow-moving trough connected to an active frontal system has kept moisture levels elevated, leaving already saturated soils in high-risk provinces far more vulnerable to runoff and flooding. Local authorities are urging residents in alert zones to monitor official updates, prepare for potential evacuation, and avoid low-lying flood-prone areas through the duration of the weather event.

  • Santiago Civil Defense highlights the preventive work of the Santiago City Council in the face of rains

    Santiago Civil Defense highlights the preventive work of the Santiago City Council in the face of rains

    As forecasters warn of incoming heavy precipitation across the Dominican Republic’s Santiago province, local Civil Defense leadership has publicly commended the proactive flood risk reduction work led by Santiago’s municipal mayor, Ulises Rodríguez.

    Francisco Arias, regional director of the Dominican Civil Defense, highlighted that the municipal government has prioritized critical pre-storm preparedness tasks across high-risk neighborhoods and geographic hotspots. These interventions include clearing debris from natural ravines, unclogging urban drainage systems, removing accumulated waste from bridge approaches, collecting scattered solid waste from residential areas, and pruning overgrown tree branches that could threaten infrastructure during storms.

    The work has already been fully rolled out across a range of priority zones, Arias confirmed, including 20th Street, 8th Street, the communities of Nibaje and Hoya de Caimito, and the high-risk Devil’s Ravine — all locations long identified as prone to dangerous waterlogging during heavy downpours. Beyond the physical infrastructure work, Arias noted that municipal crews have maintained a consistent, visible presence in these flood-prone areas to respond quickly to emerging hazards as the rain approaches.

    In his remarks, Arias also extended recognition to Arismendi Dajer, the municipal government’s general secretary, and the full team of local municipal staff who have collaborated to advance the preparedness campaign.

    Arias explained that pre-event mitigation is a core component of effective disaster management: by addressing hazards before storms hit, officials can dramatically cut the risk of destructive flooding and keep local residents safe. “Our Civil Defense teams have been continuously moving through vulnerable neighborhoods to share safety guidance with residents, and the Mayor’s Office has complemented that work with on-the-ground infrastructure upgrades that directly reduce flood risk,” he explained.

    All of these coordinated actions fall under a broader, holistic disaster preparedness strategy designed to protect both the lives and property of Santiago residents, Arias added, emphasizing that the municipal government remains in a constant state of readiness to address any weather-related emergency.

    In a final update, Arias confirmed that the interagency Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committee (PMR) has already been activated, with round-the-clock monitoring of shifting weather conditions already underway. Since the previous day, Civil Defense response brigades have been door-to-door in at-risk communities, walking local families through the key safety steps they should follow if flooding does develop.

  • Manhunt launched for gang behind daring cash robbery

    Manhunt launched for gang behind daring cash robbery

    A violent armed robbery has left three Chinese nationals targeted in their own residential property in Guyana, with four suspects currently evading law enforcement capture, the Guyana Police Force confirmed in an official update published Saturday, April 11, 2026.

    The attack unfolded around 3:53 p.m. local time on Friday, as the three victims had just arrived at their property in Eccles, a community located along Guyana’s East Bank Demerara. As the group stepped out of their vehicle, four male suspects ambushed them. According to initial police accounts, one of the four attackers was openly carrying a loaded handgun during the incident.

    After overpowering the victims, the suspects forced the three Chinese nationals back inside their home, where they carried out a systematic search of both the upper and lower floors of the residence. During the ransacking, the robbers stole a combined haul of multiple currencies and personal identification documents. The stolen assets include 500,000 Guyanese dollars, 900 U.S. dollars, 1,000 Mexican pesos, and 200 Hong Kong dollars, alongside a Chinese national identity card and other critical personal paperwork.

    Law enforcement investigators have already secured key evidence to advance the case, with closed-circuit television footage recorded by cameras installed on the victims’ property successfully collected for review. This footage is now a core component of the active manhunt and ongoing investigation into the robbery.

    As of Saturday afternoon, no suspects had been taken into custody, and police continue their efforts to locate and apprehend the four perpetrators responsible for the attack.

  • Vendor, construction worker prime suspects in thefts

    Vendor, construction worker prime suspects in thefts

    Authorities in Guyana have confirmed that two young local men are being held as prime suspects following a pair of related criminal offences committed earlier this month, regional outlet Demerara Waves Online News reported Saturday, with the information last updated at 19:38 local time on April 11, 2026.

    The two accused, a 22-year-old street vendor and a 21-year-old construction worker, both residents of Barnwell North in the Mocha community of East Bank Demerara, are linked to two distinct criminal incidents that took place on April 6, according to an official statement released by the Guyana Police Force.

    Investigators say the pair first carried out an armed robbery at a Chinese-owned supermarket located in Goed Fortuin, a community on the West Bank of the Demerara River. Later the same day, they allegedly committed a break-and-enter and larceny at a private residential property in Eccles, another settlement on East Bank Demerara.

    Following the crimes, law enforcement teams launched an immediate investigation that drew on key forensic evidence from both crime scenes. Investigators obtained and reviewed closed-circuit television footage captured at both locations, a step that significantly advanced the probe and helped lead investigators to identify the two suspects, police confirmed.

    After being identified, the pair were taken into custody and escorted to the Providence Police Station for formal questioning. They have since been remanded into continued custody as of Saturday’s update, and remain in detention while assisting law enforcement with ongoing inquiries into the offences.

  • NCCU investigates incident at its ATM at cork street

    NCCU investigates incident at its ATM at cork street

    The National Co-operative Credit Union Ltd (NCCU) has launched an official investigation into a fire-related incident that impacted one of its automated teller machines located on Cork Street in Roseau. In a public statement released on Saturday, April 11, 2026, the financial cooperative confirmed that the affected site around the ATM is currently undergoing deep cleaning, while critical maintenance work is being carried out on the machine itself to guarantee the ongoing safety of the institution’s members.

    In the notice, NCCU appealed to customers for understanding as its technical teams work to restore full public access to the ATM in the shortest timeframe possible. The organization also extended heartfelt gratitude to local community members who stepped in to help contain the fire before emergency services arrived, crediting their quick action with preventing more extensive damage to the site.

    NCCU closed its statement by noting that additional updates will be shared promptly with the public as new details about the incident and repair progress emerge.

  • FLASH : Terrible tragedy 30 dead at the Citadelle Laferrière

    FLASH : Terrible tragedy 30 dead at the Citadelle Laferrière

    A devastating crowd crush at one of Haiti’s most iconic historical landmarks has left at least 30 people dead and dozens more injured, in what local authorities are calling one of the worst public safety disasters in the region in recent years. The tragedy unfolded on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the Citadelle Laferrière in Milot, where thousands of attendees gathered for annual traditional cultural festivities that drew a far larger turnout than organizers had anticipated.

    Preliminary investigations from Haiti’s Civil Protection agency point to severe overcrowding at the UNESCO-recognized site, compounded by critical gaps in pre-planned crowd management protocols, as the root cause of the deadly stampede. When overcrowding reached a breaking point, the sudden surge of people triggered a chaotic crush that left numerous victims trapped, suffering from asphyxiation and trampling injuries. The provisional death toll was confirmed at 30 as of early Sunday morning, with dozens of injured survivors currently receiving emergency care at regional hospitals across northern Haiti.

    Civil Protection officials have warned that the final death toll is likely to rise, as dozens of people remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of the incident. Sacré-Cœur Hospital in Milot, the closest major medical facility to the site, has already received multiple bodies of young victims who were pronounced dead on arrival, and eyewitnesses on the scene told local reporters they expect the total number of fatalities could climb above 50 as search and recovery operations continue.

    Local authorities moved swiftly to launch rescue operations in the wake of the disaster. The Cap-Haïtien Municipal Commission activated its emergency response protocol immediately, dispatching ambulances, emergency response teams and relief supplies to the Citadelle Laferrière to support evacuation, search and victim care efforts. In an official statement, the municipal body praised the rapid mobilization of Civil Protection workers, medical staff and civilian volunteers who have worked around the clock in difficult conditions to assist survivors.

    The commission also released an official message of condolence, expressing its deepest sorrow for the lives lost and extending its full solidarity to all families impacted by the tragedy. Haiti’s national government has also formally responded to the disaster. In a public statement released Saturday evening, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé and his administration expressed profound dismay and overwhelming sadness over the loss of life.

    “We share the profound emotion and immense sadness of the Haitian people following this unthinkable tragedy,” the statement read. “The Government extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and assures them of our deep solidarity during this time of mourning and great suffering.” All relevant national and local authorities remain on high alert, with the government confirming that all necessary support and medical care is being provided to survivors and their families without delay.

    The government is closely monitoring the evolving situation as an official investigation into the exact circumstances of the tragedy gets underway. Officials have called on the public to remain calm and exercise caution while waiting for the investigation’s full findings, and reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to supporting the affected community through this crisis.