Andrés Bautista, the administrative minister of the Presidency, Edwin Olivares, director of the Center for Emergency Operations (COE), and Carlos Paulino, director of Civil Defense, announced the Simulacro Nacional de Evacuación por Terremoto 2026. ^[1] The national earthquake evacuation drill is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM. ^[2] Edwin Olivares, director of the Emergency Operations Center (COE) in the Dominican Republic, warned that no one is prepared to witness a country collapse, emphasizing the importance of participation in the National Earthquake Evacuation Drill. ^[3] The drill was ordered by President Luis Abinader as part of integral preparation actions to strengthen prevention, response, and recovery capabilities against a major earthquake. ^[4] The drill will involve participation from public and private institutions, educational centers, social organizations, and citizens across the entire national territory. ^[5] Eddy Olivares, the Minister of Labor, called on employers and workers to integrate into the drill, stating that all spaces where people concentrate must have protocols to respond to emergencies. ^[6] Edwin Olivares stated that earthquakes do not provide warnings and that preparation must begin before an emergency occurs. ^[7]