Several hours after the severe earthquake that caused such dire consequences for Haiti, President Leonel Fernández despatched rescue teams to the area.
He also ordered that around 20 sniffer dogs be transported there by helicopter.
Throughout the following days, various campaigns were initiated across the country, to collect humanitarian aid and funds.
Hospitals located close to the border with Haiti were immediately opened to receive the wounded.
Hospitals in Santiago and Santo Domingo also received a number of wounded.
TV marathon
The mobile soup-kitchens that are always operating in the poor areas of the Santo Domingo, were quickly sent to serve hot meals to thousands of people trying to survive in Port-au-Prince after the tragedy.
Various TV marathons were set up and raised a considerable amount of money for this cause.
These TV marathons were also held in Sosúa and Puerto Plata, where thousands of residents came along to make their donations.
The national TV marathon raised 55 million pesos!
In Sosúa the Civil Defence (Héctor Vásquez and his volunteers), together with representatives of the foreign residents and tourists (Ina Hapke and Christin Birkhan) also collected humanitarian aid and money for the victims of this terrible earthquake.
Every two days a convoy of vehicles leaves Sosúa for Haiti, where the goods are distributed by the Red Cross.
The Dominicans are showing that they will always help their neighbours in a time of crisis!
