分类： society

SANTO DOMINGO – In a significant move to bolster national disaster preparedness, Dominican authorities have inaugurated a comprehensive international training and certification initiative designed to enhance specialized search and rescue (SAR) capabilities. The program specifically targets operations in collapsed structures and confined spaces, aiming to elevate the technical and operational proficiency of emergency response teams across the country.

This strategic endeavor represents a collaborative inter-institutional partnership, spearheaded by the National Office for Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (Onesvie). The initiative is being executed in coordination with major international and domestic partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National School of Risk Management (Esnageri), and the National Emergency and Security System 9-1-1.

Official communications clarify that the program’s core objective is to systematically reduce seismic vulnerability and significantly improve emergency response outcomes for disasters triggered by earthquakes and catastrophic structural failures. This will be achieved through the rigorous implementation of internationally recognized training protocols and certification standards.

The curriculum is structured around four specialized courses. The foundational training commenced with the Incident Command System (ICS), which is being delivered by instructors from the American Safety & Rescue Institute. This module carries international accreditation certified by Texas A&M University. A subsequent series of advanced courses, slated for March, will complete the training cycle. These will encompass critical skill sets in hazardous materials (HAZMAT) management, confined space rescue techniques, and advanced strategies for rescue operations in collapsed buildings.

In a distressing incident that has unsettled the local community, a three-month-old female infant was discovered abandoned on Anacaona Street in San Juan de la Maguana this past Sunday. The child was found carefully wrapped in a small blanket and appropriately dressed, left unattended on a neighborhood curb. Alert residents promptly notified municipal authorities, who swiftly responded to secure the infant’s safety. Emergency services transported the baby to a nearby medical facility for comprehensive health evaluation, where physicians confirmed the child remains in stable condition despite the traumatic circumstances. The identity of those responsible for abandoning the infant remains unknown as investigations continue. The case has been formally referred to the National Council for Children and Adolescents (Conani), the Dominican Republic’s primary agency responsible for protecting vulnerable minors. Community members expressed profound shock regarding the incident, highlighting ongoing concerns about child welfare in the region.

SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ – In a significant development for national infrastructure, Dominican President Luis Abinader presided over a pivotal ceremony for the Boca de los Ríos Dam project. The event centered on the second strategic diversion of the Guayubín River, signaling the final construction phase of this major hydroelectric initiative managed by the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (Egehid).

At the project site, President Abinader initiated the removal of a temporary cofferdam. This action authorized heavy machinery to carve a new channel, redirecting the river’s flow into specially constructed diversion galleries. This engineered pathway will guide water toward the emerging dam structure for the remainder of the construction period.

José Augusto Caputo, the Project Director, emphasized the operation’s critical nature, stating, ‘This second river diversion represents a fundamental milestone for the project’s advancement and denotes a crucial transition within the construction sequence.’

Egehid’s General Manager, Rafael Salazar, provided technical context, noting that an initial diversion in March 2023 enabled construction crews to build the dam’s primary structure on dry land. He clarified that this latest maneuver will temporarily restore the river to its natural course, channeled through the concrete diversion galleries. Upon project completion, these galleries will be permanently sealed, initiating the reservoir filling process.

Concurrently, this phase enables construction to commence on a lower segment of the closure dam adjoining the main wall. The project also progresses with the arrival of the first three massive radial spillway gates. Each gate, an engineering feat in itself, measures 12 meters in width, 14 meters in height, and weighs roughly 110 tons, with installation preparations now underway.

After more than ten years of dedicated intervention, Plan International’s groundbreaking Down To Zero initiative has concluded its operations in the Dominican Republic, establishing a robust child-protection framework across 14 high-risk communities in the nation’s southern region. The comprehensive program specifically targeted areas severely impacted by tourism development and heightened social mobility, which have historically contributed to increased vulnerabilities.

The project achieved remarkable reach, directly impacting over 650 individuals across the provinces of Azua, Elías Piña, San Juan, Pedernales, and Barahona. Its prevention strategy centered on community empowerment, training 100 adolescents as prevention promoters and equipping 153 local leaders with skills to activate reporting and response mechanisms. Institutional capabilities were significantly enhanced through the engagement of 90 public and private sector representatives who collaborated on developing standardized case management protocols.

A cornerstone of the initiative involved confronting the cultural normalization of sexual exploitation through 24 distinct educational interventions. These included community film screenings and structured dialogues designed to break longstanding silences surrounding exploitation while building sustainable local capacity.

Project coordinator Luis Toledo emphasized the transformative outcomes, stating, ‘Today we witness more conscious communities, youth spearheading prevention initiatives, and local systems significantly better prepared to address cases effectively.’ He identified the establishment of self-sustaining protective ecosystems as the program’s most profound accomplishment.

Plan International, with over 35 years of operational presence in the Dominican Republic and outreach across 120 communities, has reaffirmed its institutional commitment to fostering secure and equitable environments for the nation’s children and adolescents. The concluding ceremonies, held February 17 in Barahona and February 19 in San Juan de la Maguana, marked the formal transition of protection responsibilities to strengthened local institutions.

The iconic Malecón waterfront of Santo Domingo transformed into a spectacular canvas of cultural expression during the National District Carnival 2026, where an estimated crowd of thousands gathered for a celebration marked by vibrant displays and impeccable organization. Under the meticulous coordination of the Mayor’s Office of the National District, the event unfolded as a testament to both tradition and community spirit.

A procession of more than seventy elaborately costumed dance troupes captivated attendees as they paraded along the capital’s coastline. Their performances, rich in creativity and rhythmic precision, served as a dynamic exhibition of local identity. The afternoon festivities, commencing at approximately 3:30 p.m., were safeguarded by a comprehensive inter-agency security and logistics operation, ensuring a secure and orderly environment for all families and visitors.

Mayor Carolina Mejía articulated the profound significance of the carnival, framing it not merely as a festive occasion but as an essential manifestation of the city’s collective heritage and social fabric. This year’s edition carried a special dedication to José Guillermo ‘Pepe’ Mieses, a revered physician, athlete, and folklorist recognized for founding the legendary troupe Los Leones del Diablo and for his pivotal role in institutionalizing the carnival’s framework.

The ceremonial opening was led by the newly crowned King and Queen of Carnival, Francisco Taveras Benítez and Santa Valdez, both honored for their lifelong dedication to the tradition. The parade featured diverse participants, including the National District Fire Department Band and the renowned Los Guloyas de Propagas, with competitive categories spanning Grand Troupe, Best Floats, and various traditional character groups.

The event drew a distinguished audience of municipal authorities, council members, and prominent figures from the cultural and artistic sectors, who universally praised the event’s superior organization and artistic merit. As daylight faded, the celebration reached its crescendo at Eugenio María de Hostos Park with a powerful concert. Headlining artists Toño Rosario, Omega, Sexappeal, Jandy Ventura, and Steffany Constanza delivered an electrifying musical finale that energized the massive crowd.

Through this highly successful execution, the Mayor’s Office has powerfully reaffirmed its commitment to preserving cultural legacy, fostering safe public spaces for family entertainment, and cementing the National District Carnival’s status as a premier, anticipated event in Santo Domingo’s cultural calendar.