Journal of Public Health Policy

Preparation and Response
in Case of Natural
Disasters: Cuban Programs and Experience
PEDRO  MAS  BERMEJO
ABSTRACT
Inadequate preparation
for national  disasters is
frequently particularly devastating
in lower income  countries. The Cuba's location  has a diversity of potential  natural
disasters, including  hurricanes, non-tropical  depressions,  tropical storms, tropical
cyclones, and severe local storms, all with intense rains and winds,  earthquakes and
droughts. Cuban preparation, at all
levels,
is geared
to these predominant
threats.
Planning
for natural disasters is
integral
to the political  and economic  life of Cuba,
nationally  and
locally.  On  several occasions,  United  Nations
(UN)  officials  have
pointed
to  Cuba as a model for developing  countries preparing
for hurricanes and
other natural disasters. A global  policy
for managing
the risks of  natural disasters
could
improve continuity of assistance for development  and reduce the necessity of
humanitarian  aid.  Planning
in  advance  of  disasters  is  a  feasible  way  of  helping
people,  by reducing expenses of  emergencies, recuperation, and reconstruction. As
climate  changes  accelerate,  many  researchers  fear  a  period  of  irreversible  and
uncontrollable change. While the atmosphere continues to warm,
it generates more
intense rains, more
frequent heat waves, and more ferocious storms. Thus, achieving
better protection  of  developing  countries from  an
increasing onslaught  of  natural
disasters will  only grow
in
importance. Even
though  Cuba's contribution to  know-
how  has  been  recognized  by  United  Nations'  officials,  progress
toward  more
adequate preparation worldwide  has been slow. To
support other countries beyond
conveying
the
lessons,  Cuba  now  offers
specially
trained  personnel
to  cooperate  ვრცლად