Update 9/18: In response to the damage caused by Tropical Storm Erika, Direct Relief shipped an emergency health module to Dominica at the request of the country’s Ministry of Health and the Environment. The shipment is due to arrive next week. Details include:

Situation Report 9/1:

Tropical Storm Erika hit the small Caribbean Island of 72,000 people last Wednesday, dropping 13 inches of rain in a 12-hour period.  The storm has resulted in deadly mudslides and severe flooding that have destroyed roads, bridges and houses across the island.   According to the Red Cross, between 10,000 and 20,000 people have been affected and half of the island is still without electricity.  The Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, has declared nine local areas as disaster zones with many areas only accessible by boat or helicopter.

Reported deaths: 25+

Estimated IDPs due to Storm: Unknown

Estimated Affected Population: 10,000 – 20,000

Situation Report 8/28:

Direct Relief is monitoring the path of Tropical Storm Erika, currently over Haiti and Dominican Republic, en route to Florida. TS Erika is forecasted to make landfall in Florida by Monday morning.

Direct Relief has reached out via email and text message to 62 health center and clinic partners in Florida. Direct Relief is also in contact with the Florida Association of Community Health Centers and the Emergency Management Advisory Committee team at the national association level.

Direct Relief has prepositioned 13 emergency medical modules with health facilities throughout Florida, with additional modules in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.