Cuba to introduce new initiative for greater drought resilience in the country

HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 12 (ACN) The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) approved on Thursday in Havana the Initiative for the Strengthening of Hydrological Monitoring in Cuba, which will allow to systematically assess the availability of water in the country and create conditions to combat the effects of Climate Change.

Bladimir Matos Moya, first vice president of the INRH, stated that the Initiative constitutes a platform for action, since the consequences of Climate Change make it necessary to turn Cuba into a more resilient country.

There is a government will put into practice through the State plan Tarea Vida (Task Life), said the official at a press conference. Cuba, in its position as a blockaded country with financial limitations, has set itself the challenge of committing to real time information and characterization of the country by regions so that the solutions are specific and appropriate for each place.

With financial support from the Russian Federation and implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Initiative is part of the actions of the project Adapting to drought: Sustainable water management in the face of drought in Santiago de Cuba(eastern region), for greater resilience and adaptation to climate change.

For her part, Anna V. Kosenkova, minister counselor of the embassy of the Russian Federation to Cuba, commented, through video conference, that the exchange in this field is a key point in the fight against drought; Russia has extensive experience in water management, so it is expected that with the support of its experts, the Caribbean nation will show improvements.

At the same time, Ivan Zverzhanovski, UNDP deputy resident representative to Cuba, indicated that access to and efficient use of water is essential for any development program, so a strategic action such as this one contributes to increase the country's resilience.

Meanwhile, Argelio Fernández Richelme, director of Hydrology and Hydrogeology of the INRH, explained that the document includes five strategic lines focused on strengthening the activity and the actions for its fulfillment.

It provides for the modernization and optimization of hydrological observation networks; automation, computerization and introduction of new technologies for the control of data and information; and the enhancement of technological sovereignty and sustainability of measurement and communication equipment.

It also seeks to develop professional technical capabilities and increase communication and diffusion of information on the country's hydrological situation and the prospects for the short and medium term.