In a renewed demonstration of cross-border solidarity in the wake of catastrophic seismic devastation in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic has launched a second deployment of elite search and rescue experts to the South American nation, as a core component of Operation Quisqueya Solidaria 2026. The deployment is reinforcing the growing network of international humanitarian response working to address the aftermath of the destructive earthquakes.
This newest mission brings together highly trained personnel from three of the Dominican Republic’s leading emergency response agencies: the Specialized Emergency and Disaster Mitigation Corps (Cemed), the national Emergency Operations Center (COE), and the country’s Civil Defense. Airlifted by a Dominican Republic Air Force transport plane, the contingent is headed directly to the regions hardest hit by the earthquakes, where they will integrate with existing search and rescue operations to locate missing survivors and expand the scope of on-the-ground emergency aid.
Ahead of the team’s departure from Santo Domingo, Dominican Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre publicly recognized the depth of skill and unwavering dedication the rescuers bring to the mission. He commended their consistent professionalism and urged the team to uphold the values of discipline and international solidarity as they carry out their work in affected communities.
Beyond the deployment of search and rescue personnel, this mission forms a central part of the Dominican government’s broader multi-pronged humanitarian response to the Venezuelan earthquake crisis. The government’s support package also includes dedicated assistance for Dominican citizens residing in affected areas of Venezuela, a shipment of critical emergency supplies, and additional targeted support to local communities impacted by the disaster.