With approximately one in four living under the poverty line and 40% being at risk of falling into poverty, the Dominican Republic suffers from a plethora of social issues. In particular, women and children are at most risk. For women, there are sharp increases in maternal mortality, with 107 women dying for every 100,000 births. Whereas for children, seven out of 10 have been pregnant at least once. The Dominican Republic is also prone to natural disasters which put infrastructure, food and water at risk. However, in recent years, five key charities have been operating in the Dominican Republic. They primarily focus on women and children but also improve healthcare, education and accessibility to food and water. Here are the five charities operating in the Dominican Republic.

Project Hope

Since 1996, Project Hope has worked in the Dominican Republic to respond to those most vulnerable: women and children, according to its website. It continues to improve care within maternity hospitals, distribute crucial medicines and supplies and partner with international universities to establish medical programs for staff training. Within its work, the organization has provided 2,300 children with health services and workshops covering pregnancy prevention and HIV/AIDs.

For the last 20 years, Project Hope has founded three maternal and child health clinics providing care for 150,000 patients each year. October 2019 report found that the charity had contributed to a 31% decrease in maternal mortality and a 25% drop in neonatal mortality.

World Vision

World Vision is an international charity whose work in the Dominican Republic has responded to food accessibility problems, educational issues and natural disasters. In response to Hurricane Fiona in 2022, the charity provided urgent support. Distributing more than 3,200 food and hygiene kits to survivors helped bring the country closer to stability, especially when inflation increased food prices, putting more families at risk of poverty. Donations to World Vision are concentrated on specific project areas, and once established, can work in the chosen community for 15-20 years.

Caritas Internationalis

Established in 1961, Caritas Internationalis has worked in the country to provide support for health care, housing, water, hygiene and cases of emergency. The international organization consists of 162 Catholic relief organizations working in 200 countries. In the Dominican Republic, the organization works with local governments to ensure that they follow policy and regulations. After Hurricane Noel in 2007, the charity provided humanitarian aid through helping those affected access clean water, and also participated in the rebuilding of houses and schools. 

The Mariposa DR Foundation

The Mariposa DR Foundation runs the “Unleash the Leader in a Girl” program aiming to empower girls most at risk of poverty and pregnancy. The foundation seeks to end generational poverty by educating women so that they can reach adulthood with a substantial education and avoid child pregnancy. In 2023, the Foundation raised $1,367,152 to support the program. In the same year, the program also opened a Culinary School, helping to improve nutrition for the girls and their families.

The organization puts an emphasis on attending summer programs. As the summertime can be a risk for young girls due to more time at home, there is an increased threat of early marriage or pregnancy. The time spent away from home, helps girls transition from childhood to adulthood safely.

Save the Children

Save the Children operates in 120 countries to guarantee children access to sufficient healthcare and education. In the Dominican Republic, the charity has helped to protect 1,665 children from harm, 3,765 children during the crisis, and provided 27,318 children with a healthy start. In several cases, the charity has provided portable water supplies, assisted with crop planting and animal breeding, and created community based vegetable gardens so that families can grow their own in times of short supplies.

These five key charities operating in the Dominican Republic have crucially helped with reducing poverty, the prevention of maternal mortality and child pregnancy. While there are still ongoing issues with many families still at risk of falling below the poverty line, these organizations continue to relieve pressures on those most vulnerable.

– Ellie Western

Ellie is based in London, UK and focuses on Global Health and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr