In a swift and coordinated response to the impending threat of Tropical Storm Melissa, the Dominican Republic Navy (ARD), under the Ministry of Defense (MIDE), successfully evacuated 98 individuals from Saona Island this Saturday. The operation was executed as a preventive measure against the storm’s adverse effects, which have already brought heavy rainfall and high waves to the eastern and southern coasts of the country. The evacuation was part of a broader emergency response strategy led by the Ministry of Emergency Management (MIDE), which mobilized all available resources of the Armed Forces to support the Emergency Operations Center (COE) and civil authorities in ensuring public safety. Lieutenant General Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre, the Minister of Defense, directed the Navy to activate its emergency protocols, deploying surface naval units and specialized rescue teams. Vice Admiral Juan Bienvenido Crisóstomo Martínez, Commander General of the Navy, emphasized the critical role of interoperability among Naval Commands, the Eastern Naval Zone, the Captaincy of the Ports, and the Dominican Maritime Authority in the operation’s success. ‘This swift action reflects the preparation, discipline, and commitment of our men and women of the sea, who respond with determination whenever the nation needs them,’ stated Vice Admiral Crisóstomo Martínez. The evacuees were safely transported to the Port of Bayahibe, where they received immediate assistance from relief agencies. The Ministry of Defense reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the lives, safety, and well-being of its citizens, with air, naval, and land resources remaining on standby to address any further challenges posed by Storm Melissa.