A government council meeting and a meeting with municipal authorities will be held to strengthen coordination and response to possible emergencies
SANTO DOMINGO – The Dominican government is seeking to ensure that all state institutions and local governments operate under a unified strategy in the face of this year's hurricane season. To that end, President Luis Abinader announced a Cabinet meeting and a gathering with municipal authorities to strengthen planning and response capacity in the event of any emergency.
The information was provided by the Presidency at the end of the presentation of the National Contingency Plan for the 2026 Cyclone Season, held at the facilities of the Emergency Operations Center (COE).
“We are going to work in a coordinated way and as one government, all of us preparing for any eventuality,” the president said.
Government seeks to strengthen response capacity
During the activity, the head of state highlighted the need for the different institutions to adopt the National Contingency Plan and actively participate in the preparation for possible atmospheric phenomena, in accordance with what was established in the statement of the government entity.
The president also warned about the effects of climate change and the occurrence of extreme events that require increased levels of planning and prevention.
“We are living in extreme times. A month ago we had hailstorms and now we have intense heat. This is reflected in the climate, and that is why we must be increasingly prepared and plan ahead,” he said.
Simulation tested emergency protocols
As part of the event, the authorities conducted a simulation exercise on the hypothetical impact of a high-intensity atmospheric phenomenon in different areas of the country.
According to the Presidency, the exercise allowed for the evaluation of communication mechanisms, inter-institutional coordination, early warning systems, evacuation procedures, and the mobilization of resources contemplated in the 2026 Contingency Plan.
The director of the COE, Juan Manuel Méndez García, stated that these types of practices constitute a key tool to strengthen risk management.
“Preparedness is the best tool to protect lives. This exercise allows us to test the response capacity of institutions and strengthen the coordination necessary to act efficiently in the face of any threat,” he said.
They urge the public to stay informed
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30, and given the forecast of an active season, authorities reiterated their call for citizens to stay informed through official channels and to know their family emergency plans.
According to the Presidency, the exercise involved representatives from the Ministry of Public Works, the Dominican Institute of Meteorology (Indomet), Civil Defense, the National Police, the 9-1-1 System, the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (Indrhi) and other entities that make up the National System for Disaster Prevention, Mitigation and Response.
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