Specialists agree that earthquakes themselves are not the primary cause of tragedies; rather, the main factors are the vulnerability of structures, a lack of preparedness, and limited emergency response capacity.
In a country like the Dominican Republic—located in a zone of high seismic activity—prevention, adherence to building codes, and public education are crucial factors for reducing risk and protecting lives.
Experts emphasize that strengthening a culture of prevention, conducting drills, and having effective response protocols in place can make all the difference when a major earthquake occurs.
Seismic resilience depends on planning, infrastructure, and the shared commitment of authorities, institutions, and the public to ensure better preparedness for future scenarios.