Cuba Prepares Nationwide Disaster Risk Reduction Exercise

Havana, Cuba, May 11 (ACN) Cuba’s Civil Defense General Staff (EMNDC) announced upcoming preparations for the People’s “Meteoro” Disaster Risk Reduction exercises to ready for tropical storms and other natural, technological or health phenomena.

In a videoconference on Thursday, EMNDC information department head Anneris Santos explained about the main actions to take in order to strengthen capacities and th national response during the traditional drill, to take place May 20th and 21st .

The hurricane season in the tropical Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean area runs from June 1st till November 30th so it is crucial to meet all disaster risk reduction plans, the official noted.

Santos insisted in the need to check all commissions in charge of protecting the people, assessing damage and needs, as well as all offices related to attention to individuals who could be affected under any phenomena.

She called the attention of workers with her institution, journalists and other officials about the increase in the infestation by the Aedes aegypti mosquito and avian influenza and the need to spread learned lessons.

Meanwhile, EMNDC executive advisor Carlos Rodriguez recalled the responsibility of central state entities, the entrepreneurial sector and political and grassroots organizations in the assessment of risks and dangers posed by any weather, geological phenomena, forest fires, climate change, space and atmospheric pollution.

The Meteoro exercise has taken place here since 1986 to prepare all commanding organs at all levels of society to take action against quakes, hurricanes, severe drought, and sanitary events with emphasis in the preservation of human lives and economic resources.