Santo Domingo.– The Ombudsman and the Civil Defense of the Dominican Republic signed an inter-institutional cooperation agreement with the objective of incorporating the human rights and fundamental rights approach into the comprehensive management of disaster risk and emergency response in the country.
The agreement was signed by the Ombudsman, Pablo Ulloa, and the director of the Civil Defense, Juan Salas, who highlighted the importance of strengthening national capacities to guarantee the dignity, protection, and effective assistance of people affected by risk situations, especially those in vulnerable conditions.
The alliance contemplates the development of joint initiatives to promote mechanisms and regulatory frameworks that encourage the ethical, responsible, and safe use of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, information systems, and big data analysis. Furthermore, it seeks to foster the exchange of best practices and experiences that contribute to improving decision-making for the benefit of citizens.
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Planned actions include training programs, expansion of volunteer networks, and the creation of systems, protocols, and mechanisms that ensure the incorporation of human rights at all stages of risk management, from prevention and preparedness to response and recovery.
During the signing, Ulloa highlighted the joint work that both institutions have developed to advance the implementation of an Early Warning and Response System (SART) linked to the national information system.
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“This is the formation of an alliance that has been in the works for months to ensure that every territory has an effective SART based on inter-institutional effort,” he expressed.
For his part, Salas made the instructors and facilities of the National School of Risk Management (ESNAGERI) available to the Ombudsman, with the purpose of training the institution’s personnel and strengthening their preparation for adverse situations.
“We infinitely appreciate this historic approach that we, from the Civil Defense, commit to fulfilling, because it is about saving lives and respecting the rights of the most vulnerable,” stated Salas, who also chairs the National Emergency Commission.
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The agreement also establishes the commitment to actively promote equity and gender equality in all actions that both entities develop jointly.
The event was attended by directors, managers, and collaborators from both institutions.
