The Dominican government is stepping up to provide comprehensive support for families shattered by the recent Jet Set tragedy, where a roof collapse claimed the lives of an estimated 236 people. A multi-institutional committee determined that 232 households required immediate financial and ongoing psychological care.
The government assistance is parallel to more than 60 legal suits presented demanding financial reparations from the owners of the entertainment center. State investigators have yet to present a report on the causes of the collapse of the roof. Official tally of deaths is at 236, but a detailed report on the number of people at the club at the time has yet to be presented.
Meanwhile, the government authorities have established a RD$30,000 support fund for the selected affected families, to be disbursed over a six-month period. Gloria Reyes, director of Supérate, reported that of the 232 homes intervened, 205 have requested financial aid. Furthermore, 124 individuals continue to receive psychological support from the Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Service (SNS).
Augusto de los Santos, director of the Single Beneficiary System (Siuben), confirmed that 149 households have been assessed using the basic emergency form (Fibe), a tool designed to measure the socioeconomic impact of such events. Of these, 92 have been categorized and are slated to receive benefits.
The inter-institutional protocol involves several key government entities, including Supérate, the Ministry of Public Health, the National Council for Children and Adolescents (CONANI), Siuben, the SNS, and the National Social Security Council. Coordinated home visits, often involving psychologists, social workers, and legal advisors, have been conducted, with some families receiving multiple visits for psychological assistance.
The intervention plan is multi-faceted, focusing on integral care, mental health, education, legal protection, and economic assistance. The National Council for the Elderly (Conape) is also expected to join the effort to assist elderly individuals who lost their children in the tragedy.
Dr. Víctor Atallah, Minister of Public Health, highlighted the crucial psychosocial intervention efforts, which include grief counseling, follow-up support, and individual, group, and collective therapy. He also commended the National Institute of Forensic Pathology and the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif) for their rapid processing of autopsies and delivery of remains, setting a “world record” in such a challenging situation.
A particularly poignant aspect of the tragedy is the number of children left orphaned. Reyes confirmed 174 cases of minors who have lost one or both parents. Pazzis Paulino, director of Territorial Development and Supervision at Conani, stated that 174 children and adolescents have been identified in 107 households.
Conani has implemented a case management model to provide comprehensive support to these children, focusing on ensuring their safety and well-being within their nuclear or extended families, including psychological accompaniment. The plan also addresses their educational continuity, ensuring that children who have been relocated can continue their schooling and that those in private education can maintain it through financial aid.
The intervention plan also includes vital legal assistance and mediation for potential family conflicts, particularly in cases where children have lost both parents and require legal processes for guardianship and custody. At least 34 children have been orphaned of both parents. Paulino urged media outlets to exercise caution and responsibility when reporting on the affected children, emphasizing the potential consequences of public exposure.
Edward Guzmán, manager of the National Social Security Council (CNSS), announced that the entity has extended the coverage of the Family Health Insurance (SFS) for direct dependents and immediate family members of the deceased, benefiting approximately 280 individuals. While typically coverage from the contributory regime extends for only two months after a death, the CNSS has expanded this to a total of six months of coverage, after which eligible families will transition to the subsidized regime.
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El Dia
3 June 2025