Cuban scientific production contributes to reduce disaster risks

CIEGO DE AVILA, Cuba, Aug 13 (ACN) The strengthening of working links between the Maximo Gomez Baez University (Unica by its Spanish acronym) and the Center for Environmental Engineering and Biodiversity (Ciba by its Spanish acronym), institutions belonging to the central province of Ciego de Avila, allow increasing scientific production aimed at disaster risk reduction (DRR by its Spanish acronym) and adaptation to climate change (ACC by its Spanish acronym) in priority sectors of the economy.

Javier Gonzalez, Deputy Director of Research of Ciba, highlighted the completion of seven theses on these issues, presented by students of the Municipal University Center (CUM) of Ciro Redondo as exercises for the culmination of studies corresponding to the Higher Level and evaluated with the highest qualification for the quality and novelty of the contents, as well as the contributions to sustainable development in an essential economic sphere such as Agriculture.

These are hazard, vulnerability and risk (PVR by its Spanish acronym) studies that characterize the behavior of phenomena such as heavy rains and strong winds in the coastal town of Punta Alegre, in the municipality of Chambas; and drought in the mountainous municipality of Florencia, which are the definitive endorsement for the degree in Agroindustrial Processes Engineering.

Ciba director, who is also a professor at the CUM of Ciro Redondo, explained that the PVR studies focus on the probable effects on crops, animals and infrastructure, which was a challenge for the students, as they are the first PVR studies to be carried out as undergraduate theses.

Based on these studies, they propose actions that favor adaptation to adverse weather conditions, which allows incorporating the risk perspective into the development plans of a representative sector in the locality, in addition to being strategic for the country's economy, due to the urgent need to advance in the implementation of the Food Sovereignty and Nutritional Education Plan.

Two other investigations responded to the interests of the project Rehabilitation of coastal dunes in the Jardines del Rey archipelago: alternative for disaster risk reduction and adaptation to climate change, with research on the viability of seeds and integrated technology for the propagation of Canavalia rosea (commonly known as coastal mate), a plant native to these mounds and with an important role in DRR and CCA processes in coastal environments.

Ciba reiterated its willingness to continue strengthening cooperation ties with the University of Ciego de Avila and other universities in the country, with the objective of establishing new lines of work and increasing scientific-technical production aimed at promoting socioeconomic progress in a sustainable manner.