Santo Domingo.– The Vice President of the Republic, Raquel Peña, received this Saturday night at the Las Américas International Airport (AILA) the Dominican rescuers who returned from Venezuela, where they participated for several days in search and assistance efforts following the earthquake on June 24th, which left thousands dead and a high number of missing persons.
The Vice President attended the air terminal representing President Luis Abinader, accompanied by the Minister of Defense, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Public Health, who returned on the same flight after having installed a medical commission in Venezuelan territory tasked with operating the field hospital sent by the Dominican Republic.
Dominican rescuers
During his speech, Peña thanked the rescue teams for their commitment and highlighted the pride that the work carried out by the Dominicans in the midst of the tragedy represents for the country.
“We are here, on behalf of President Luis Abinader, welcoming all the rescuers who did a job that all Dominicans feel extremely proud of. They left their families, went to a place that we know the conditions of, and yet, they arrived with a smile on their faces,” he expressed.
The Vice President stated that the dedication of the Dominican rescuers strengthens the Government’s commitment to continue investing in the preparation and strengthening of the Armed Forces and emergency response agencies.
Dominican journalists who traveled to document the humanitarian aid sent by the Dominican government also returned on the flight. During their stay, they toured Maiquetía, in La Guaira state, where they witnessed the damage caused by the earthquake and the relief efforts deployed by authorities and international teams.
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Humanitarian support
When asked about the amount of resources allocated by the Dominican government for aid to Venezuela, Peña explained that there is still no definitive figure because the assistance is ongoing.
“I don’t have it accounted for, and besides, this doesn’t end today. What weighs most is the solidary heart of the Dominican people. We cannot speak only of what the Government has sent; an entire country has poured out to support the Venezuelan people,” he stated.
The vice president also sent a message of support to Venezuelan citizens, both to those who remain in their country and to those who reside in the Dominican Republic.
“We tell them that they are not alone. They have an entire people and a Government that is beating for them, looking out for them. We wish them much strength and much faith to face this very difficult moment,” he stated.
Likewise, he expressed words of welcome for the group of citizens who arrived on the same flight for humanitarian reasons.
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“The message is also one of gratitude, welcome, and support. The entire Government and the entire Dominican society are with them. We want them to feel that they have arrived in their land, in their homeland,” he concluded.
Dominican rescuers
The Dominican mission is part of the humanitarian response deployed by the Government following the earthquake that struck Venezuela, with the dispatch of Dominican rescuers, medical personnel, a field hospital, and supplies intended to assist the victims of the disaster.
