Health in the Batey Community 

 “Communities for cane cutters in the Dominican Republic, known as bateyes emerged at the beginning of the 20th century as part of the sugar industry and a demand for temporary labor. Over the last 100 years they have transformed at the mercy of economic and social changes.  

Bateyes have been integrated into the administrative system of the country and become multicultural communities made up of Haitian migrants, Dominicans and Dominicans of Haitian descent. Currently, it is estimated that there are about 425 bateyes in the country, with a total population of about 200,000. According to the latest demographic and health survey conducted by the State Sugar Council (ENDESA BATEYES 2007) these communities are some of the most impoverished in the country, living conditions are well below national levels for rural and urban standards. Batey communities exhibit high levels of unemployment, illiteracy, lack of documentation, chronic malnutrition and a prevalence of HIV/AIDS.”

- Living Conditions of Dominican Bateyes, ascala2.wordspress.com, 2015 https://ascala2.wordpress.com/2015/08/17/living-conditions-in-the-dominican-bateyes/amp/