Just weeks after a pair of devastating earthquakes rocked Venezuela, killing and injuring hundreds and leaving thousands homeless, a Dominican rescuer has received national recognition for his life-saving contributions to the international humanitarian response.
Carlos Alberto Mora, a member of the Dominican Republic’s rescue contingent deployed to the disaster zone, was formally honored by the country’s Civil Defense agency for his service during the cross-border Quisqueya Solidaria 2026 relief mission. The formal award ceremony was led by Civil Defense Executive Director Juan Salas, who used the occasion to highlight Mora’s extraordinary performance throughout days of grueling search and rescue operations.
In his remarks, Salas commended the rescuer for unwavering commitment, steady courage in the chaotic aftermath of the disaster, and consistent professionalism that aligned with the highest international emergency response standards. When taking the stage to accept the honor, Mora deflected individual praise, choosing instead to dedicate the award to every member of the 40-person Dominican rescue team that deployed to Venezuela. He emphasized that the successful extraction of multiple trapped survivors from collapsed building rubble was only possible through seamless collaboration and shared commitment across the entire contingent.
A poignant moment of the ceremony came when Mora displayed a Venezuelan flag that had been gifted to the team by the Caracas Fire Department. The hand-signed flag stands as a tangible symbol of the gratitude Venezuelan first responders and communities hold for the Dominican Republic’s rapid offer of assistance after the June 24 quakes. Salas also used the event to extend formal thanks to top Dominican government leaders, including President Luis Abinader and Defense Minister Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, for their swift approval and ongoing support that enabled the country to join the international relief effort quickly after the disaster struck.