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Earthquake closes gulf between Haiti and Dominican Republic

Albor Ruiz – Ny Local

Sunday, January 17th 2010, 4:00 AM

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“A very difficult situation,” said Sirana Dolis, trying to control her emotions by understating the horrific tragedy in Haiti.

Speaking by phone from Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic capital, she added: “It is said that more than 100,000 died. We need solidarity; we need help. Please let everyone know.”

Dolis is Dominican, but her parents, like those of hundreds of thousands of her compatriots, came from Haiti.

The two small nations are linked by geography and destiny. They share the island of Hispaniola and have similar histories of tyrannical governments and foreign invasions.

Yet a gulf of historical resentment and prejudice divides them. Even today, Haiti’s occupation of Santo Domingo during the 19th century is still a source of mistrust.

But after the apocalyptic devastation and death inflicted on Haiti by the quake, the historical mistrust has given way among many Dominicans – both on the island and in New York – to an overwhelming sense of pained solidarity.

“We are family; we are brothers and sisters. We live side by side,” a middle-aged Dominican woman in Washington Heights told Univision, the Spanish language TV network. “We have to lend a hand, to help in any way we can.”

Other Dominicans, many on their way to volunteer or donate money, drugs and clothing at one of the collections centers established in the city, expressed similar feelings.

“The solidarity from Dominicans has been tremendous, a direct, open solidarity,” Dolis said, referring to those on the island.

Dolis is a member of Movimiento de Mujeres Dominico-Hatianas (MUDHA), an organization of Dominican-born children of Haitian migrants in Santo Domingo that attempts to overcome traditional fears and prejudices.

Dolis is MUDHA’s health and education program assistant, and its general coordinator is Solange Pierre, a strong-willed woman with long experience in organizing and coordinating relief efforts. On Thursday afternoon, she was on her way to Haiti.

“She went to try to find ways for supplies to reach the people as effectively as possible,” Dolis said.

In New York, the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, a nonprofit group in Crown Heights, is organizing a relief effort. “We are collaborating with MUDHA,” said group founder Ninaj Raoul. “We are waiting for Solange to give us her assessment of how to best reach the affected areas. Then, I’ll travel to Haiti.”

Raoul agrees Dominicans have responded in a positive way. “The situation is so intense that people across nationalities and cultures are touched by the tragedy,” she said.

Although Dominican President Leonel Fernández has offered aid to Haiti, his military has been sent to the border to halt desperate refugees from crossing.

Ignored by the U.S. media are the 350 Cuban doctors, all of whom survived, who have taken care of the Haitian population for 12 years and were the first to offer medical assistance after the killer quake. Hardly the behavior of a terrorist nation.

Raoul’s group has worked with them for a long time. “They do a great job. We were about to send them medical supplies when the earthquake hit,” said a worried Raoul.

The time is one for generosity and solidarity with Haiti.

To donate to the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees crisis response, go to 335 Maple St., second floor, Brooklyn, Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Phone: (718) 735-4660. During the day, go to the Flanbwayan Haitian Literacy Project, 208 Parkside, second floor, Brooklyn, Monday through Friday 11 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Phone: (718) 774-3037.

aruiz@nydailynews.com