26 June 2006
UNDP to honor Red Sox, Mets stars for
helping rebuild flood-hit Dominican village
The two-and three-bedroom residences have kitchens, dining areas, bathrooms and back porches – and innovative architecture designed to withstand future flash flooding. The government has built entirely new roads, power lines and sewage systems for the rebuilt village. Now, two years later, the flood victims of Jimaní are ready to move into their new homes, with hopes for a better life.
John Henry, principal owner of the Red Sox, spoke proudly of his current and former players and the rebuilding effort: “The generosity of Pedro Martínez, David Ortiz, Manny Ramírez, and the entire Red Sox Nation was extraordinary during a time of need in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Through their efforts, the United Nations Development Programme has been able to rebuild not only homes but the lives of people in these two countries. I salute these accomplishments.”
Before the Red Sox-Mets game on June 29th at Fenway Park in Boston, UNDP will honor Ortiz, Ramírez and Martínez, as well as the Red Sox Foundation and John Henry, for their generous contributions to relief and recovery in the aftermath of the devastating floods. His Excellency Flavio Dario Espinal, the Dominican Republic’s Ambassador to the United States, will also be on hand to offer the thanks of his government.
And by video, the grateful townspeople of Jimaní will voice their own thanks to the Red Sox organization, Red Sox fans, and the three Dominican baseball greats.
“UNDP is thrilled to participate in this reunion of three baseball stars who brought a title home to Boston, and we are even more excited to get the chance to express our gratitude, and the gratitude of the people of Jimaní, to these players for their good work off the field,” said Niky Fabiancic, the chief UN representative in the Dominican Republic.
Contact Information
Click here to view or download
the related UNDP videoFor more information contact:
In New York
William Orme, Tel.: (212) 906-5382, mobile: (917) 607 1026; E-mail: william.orme@undp.org.Ben Craft,
Tel.: (212) 906-5344, mobile: (914) 220-2090; E-mail: benjamin.craft@undp.orgFor TV/Broadcast,
Boaz Paldi, Tel.: (212) 906 6801, E-mail: boaz.paldi@undp.org
In the Dominican Republic
Luis Rubio Sanchez, Tel.: 1(809)537-0909 Ext. 300, mobile: 1(809) 756 6987), Email: lrubio@pnud.org.do
