Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – In response to the ongoing impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, the Dominican Civil Defense has initiated emergency measures to safeguard affected communities. Nearly 50 individuals have been relocated to two collective centers: 10 at the Hermano Suárez Stadium in San Juan province and 32 at the Sabaneta Technological Center in Santiago Rodríguez province. These shelters are equipped with essential services, including food and security, provided in collaboration with Supérate, Economic Dining Halls, and the National Police. Emergency teams are actively monitoring vulnerable areas, issuing preventive alerts, and conducting tree pruning to mitigate risks. Coordination with Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Committees (CPMR) at provincial and municipal levels ensures a unified response. Authorities have urged residents in high-risk zones to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel. Heavy rainfall is forecasted to begin this Thursday and may persist until next Friday, prompting the placement of 24 provinces on alert—eight in red, thirteen in yellow, and three in green, including the National District. COE director Juan Manuel Méndez has emphasized the importance of staying home for safety while preventive measures remain in effect.
标签： Dominican Republic
多米尼加共和国
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7th International Congress on Health and Wellness Tourism officially opens
The Dominican Republic has once again demonstrated its prominence in the global health and wellness tourism sector with the inauguration of the Seventh International Congress on Health and Wellness Tourism. Hosted by the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS) and AF Comunicación Estratégica, the event commenced with an opening cocktail at the JW Marriott Santo Domingo Hotel. The gathering brought together government officials, investors, healthcare and tourism leaders, and international guests, highlighting the country’s growing influence in this dynamic industry. The ceremony was spearheaded by ADTS President Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso and Vice President Amelia Reyes Mora, who also leads AF Comunicación Estratégica. Both emphasized the Dominican Republic’s advancements and strategic positioning in health tourism, attributing its success to robust public-private partnerships, adherence to quality standards, international certifications, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. Reyes Mora further stressed the role of ethical and strategic communication in fostering trust and establishing the nation as a reliable and competitive destination for health and wellness tourism. A highlight of the event was the recognition of the HOMS Health Wellness Center for its innovative integration of a medical complex, hotel, and convention center, all meeting international standards. Additionally, Dr. Henry Gallardo was honored for his leadership in advancing healthcare collaboration across Latin America. Supported by over 60 sponsors and media partners, the Congress features seven panels and three keynote addresses by renowned national and international experts. Officially opened by Health Minister Dr. Víctor Atallah, the event serves as a pivotal platform to promote investment, innovation, and alliances, further solidifying the Dominican Republic’s status as a leading destination for health, wellness, and retirement tourism.
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Tropical Storm Melissa lingers over the Caribbean
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – The southern coast of the Dominican Republic has been battered by relentless rain, powerful winds, and thunderstorms since the early hours of Thursday morning. These severe weather conditions are attributed to Tropical Storm Melissa, which is gradually advancing across the Caribbean Sea. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) has issued warnings, indicating that Melissa is likely to persist over the central Caribbean for several days, with the potential to escalate into a major hurricane by late this weekend or early next week. Residents of Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are advised to remain vigilant and adhere to local weather advisories. The storm’s sluggish movement heightens the risk of extended periods of strong winds, particularly affecting Jamaica and Haiti’s Tiburon Peninsula. Tropical-storm-force winds are anticipated to commence on Friday and intensify throughout the weekend. Additionally, the NHC has cautioned that Melissa is expected to unleash torrential rainfall across southern Hispaniola and Jamaica, significantly increasing the likelihood of severe flash flooding, river overflows, and landslides, especially in mountainous and vulnerable regions.
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EGEHID assures stability of dams amid Storm Melissa
Santo Domingo – Rafael Salazar, the executive director of the Dominican Hydroelectric Generation Company (EGEHID), has confirmed that the country’s dams are fully equipped to handle the anticipated rainfall from Tropical Storm Melissa. Salazar emphasized that there is no risk of overflow or uncontrolled water discharges, assuring the public of the stability and preparedness of the nation’s hydraulic infrastructure.
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Commercial sector urges adherence to building standards regardless of nationality
In a significant move to bolster safety and regulatory adherence, ten prominent trade associations in Santo Domingo, representing hundreds of businesses in the formal commercial sector, have released a joint declaration. The coalition reaffirmed its dedication to strict compliance with Dominican building regulations, emphasizing the importance of structural integrity in commercial establishments and the safety of consumers. The statement also expressed unwavering support for the Ministry of Housing and Buildings (MIVED) and other regulatory bodies in enhancing oversight and control mechanisms for commercial structures. The coalition called on businesses, developers, contractors, engineers, architects, and local authorities to maintain the highest standards of compliance. ‘Adhering to building regulations is not just a legal requirement but a fundamental necessity for consumer safety, business competitiveness, and societal well-being,’ the coalition asserted. Among the participating organizations are Fedocamaras, FDC, Codopyme, ANI, Adoimfe, ONEC, Asecensa, Anamara, Ancodomu, and UNE. They underscored the commercial sector’s pivotal role in driving economic growth, job creation, and urban development, while stressing that such progress must align with rigorous legal and technical building standards. The associations highlighted that these regulations, crafted by qualified academic and technical experts, are designed to ensure structural security, safeguard human lives, and maintain service continuity, even in the face of natural disasters or aging infrastructure. Compliance is mandatory for all establishments and extends protection to customers regardless of nationality. The coalition concluded by emphasizing that strict adherence to building regulations is vital for protecting lives, preserving public trust, and fostering fair competition within the commercial sector.
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Tropical Storm Melissa could strengthen as it moves slowly
Tropical Storm Melissa has stalled in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 460 kilometers southwest of Pedernales, moving at a sluggish pace of 4 kilometers per hour. According to meteorologist Jean Suriel, the storm is expected to intensify over the next 24 to 48 hours, with a potential trajectory toward Jamaica. Despite its limited movement, Melissa’s expansive cloud bands are already impacting the Dominican Republic, particularly along the southern coast. This has heightened concerns over heavy rainfall, flash floods, and widespread flooding in both urban and rural areas of the southern and southwestern regions. Suriel further warned that the storm’s outer bands could trigger prolonged rainfall across much of the country, lasting through Sunday. In response, authorities and relief organizations are urging residents to remain vigilant, avoid rivers and flood-prone zones, and adhere to official safety instructions.
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Trapped Cormidom mine workers escape unharmed
In a dramatic turn of events, all 80 miners trapped underground following a landslide at the Cerro de Maimón mining project, operated by the Dominican Mining Corporation (Cormidom), have been successfully rescued. The incident occurred on Tuesday morning in a tunnel where copper and zinc extraction takes place. Despite the initial isolation of the workers, there were no reported injuries or communication disruptions during the ordeal. The first group of miners emerged from the site at 3:21 p.m., with the final group exiting by 4:30 p.m. on the same day. Cormidom has assured that a comprehensive investigation will be conducted to ascertain the cause of the landslide once the stability of the rock massif is confirmed. The company also pledged to implement necessary corrective measures to prevent future occurrences. This incident highlights the inherent risks in mining operations and the importance of stringent safety protocols.
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Cilpen Global clarifies Yaque del Norte images
In response to concerns over waste accumulation in the Yaque del Norte River, Cilpen Global has clarified that the circulating images depict the ‘Blue Barrier,’ a cutting-edge containment system installed in Santiago de los Caballeros in March 2024. This innovative solution is designed to intercept plastics and floating debris before they contaminate irrigation canals or reach the Caribbean Sea, while simultaneously raising public awareness about environmental pollution. The system employs a submersible belt to transport collected waste to containers, which are subsequently processed at Cilpen Global facilities for sorting, recycling, and proper disposal. Since its deployment, the Blue Barrier has successfully captured over 290,100 kilograms of waste, with 55% being plastic. Notably, more than 30,000 kilograms were removed in recent weeks alone. The initiative is part of the PROMAR project, a collaborative effort led by Parley for the Oceans in partnership with CORAASAN, INDHRI, and Cilpen Global. These organizations are continuously enhancing the system’s efficiency and expanding collection efforts. Cilpen Global stressed that the presence of waste does not signify system failure but rather highlights the alarming volume of improperly discarded materials. The company has called on citizens to adopt responsible waste disposal practices and refrain from dumping trash into rivers.
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Government announces tender for construction of the Ámbar Highway
The Dominican Republic is set to take a significant leap in infrastructure development with the upcoming tender for the Ámbar Highway, a $500 million project designed to connect Santiago and Puerto Plata. President Luis Abinader revealed that the tender will be officially launched within the next three weeks, marking a pivotal moment for the nation’s transportation and tourism sectors. The project, initially planned as a public-private partnership (PPP), will now be executed directly by the government due to its anticipated economic and tourism benefits. The RD Vial Trust, under the leadership of Hostos Rizik, will manage the highway’s construction. This entity has a proven track record in nationwide road maintenance and modernization, working closely with the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MOPC) to enhance road safety, signage, lighting, and cleanliness. Once operational, the Ámbar Highway will reduce travel time between Santiago and Puerto Plata to just 30 minutes, fostering greater connectivity between the country’s second-largest city and key tourism hubs like Punta Bergantín. The project is expected to drive investment and spur regional growth across the Cibao region, further solidifying the Dominican Republic’s position as a leading destination for tourism and commerce.
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The World Economic Forum and MICM visit the Renacer Plant in San Pedro de Macorís
San Pedro de Macorís witnessed a significant milestone in sustainable industrial development as the Dominican Republic’s Minister of Industry, Commerce, and MSMEs, Ito Bisonó, alongside representatives from the World Economic Forum (WEF), inaugurated Planta Renacer. This state-of-the-art facility, located in the Quisqueya Free Trade Zone, is the Caribbean’s first plant capable of recycling food-grade PET plastic through a fully integrated bottle-to-bottle process. The initiative is a collaborative effort between DIESCO and INVEMA, designed to reduce the nation’s reliance on virgin plastic imports, minimize waste exports, and transform local waste into high-value raw materials. Planta Renacer is projected to process 24,000 tons of PET annually, significantly reducing CO₂ emissions by 36,000 tons each year. Additionally, the plant is expected to create 500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs, bolstering the local economy. Minister Bisonó hailed the project as a testament to the Dominican Republic’s potential to spearhead sustainable industrial practices, while the WEF delegation lauded it as a model for the Caribbean’s transition toward a greener economy. The initiative aligns with the National Roadmap for Action on Plastics, developed in partnership with the WEF’s Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP), underscoring the country’s commitment to fostering a circular economy and sustainable waste management.