CubaMinrex. Sitio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Cuba

 

Statement by the Cuban delegation at the debate on disaster risk reduction. New York, 9 February 2011.

 

Mr. Chairman,

Disasters are on the rise at the global level. Due to the concern of the international community in the face of this reality, the 1990s was designated as the “International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduction”. We have no choice but to go from the simple response to these disasters to their reduction.

As natural disasters tend to increase, it is essential to implement the actions established at the Hyogo Framework for Action, and ensure disaster risk reduction is a priority. 

Disasters do not occur just as a result of the impact of increasingly frequent and severe events, but because they are mainly associated with created and accumulated vulnerabilities, and with insufficiencies in guaranteeing an effective and efficient response and recovery.

The major disaster risk at present is the irresponsible behavior of man himself against his fellow men and nature. Phenomena with catastrophic consequences for humankind, like climate change and armed conflicts, including the possibility of a nuclear war, constitute the direct result of this irresponsible behavior of man.

Disasters are a huge threat to development and affect us all. However, the most poor and marginalized of the planet remain the major victims.

The reduction of the vulnerability index is closely related to the development of peoples; therefore, guaranteeing effective development assistance is the most direct way to reduce the impact of the growing disasters.

Mr. Chairman,

Cuba, a small country with limited economic means and resources, and subject to a criminal and illegal blockade for over 50 years, has achieved substantive progress on the goals of the Hyogo Plan of Action.

The lessons learned have enabled us to reinforce the regulatory, legislative and institutional frameworks for disaster risk reduction, and strengthen the work of the Civil Defense System.

Since 1997, in Cuba, the concept of disaster reduction was included in the legislation in force.
Disaster risk reduction measures are developed and implemented in Cuba through the Civil Defense System, which is composed of all forces and resources of the society and the State, with the function of protecting the people and their properties, the social infrastructure, the economy and natural resources. 

Prevention is essential in the Cuban Civil Defense System. Some of the main actions on disaster reduction carried out in our country are: the conduction of studies on disaster risk; disaster risk surveillance and monitoring; the creation of Centers for Disaster Risk Reduction Management; monitoring of vulnerability reduction through the process of prevention of these vulnerabilities; the creation and strengthening of sectors, institutions, mechanisms and capacities at all levels, particularly at the community level; the development of outreach and community education programs in favor of disaster risk reduction; cooperation with agencies and organs of the United Nations system; and the compliance with the Hyogo Framework for Action.

Mr. Chairman,

Concerning Disaster Risk Reduction Management, our country has signed Cooperation Agreements with various countries, and works jointly with sister nations of Latin America and the Caribbean.

As part of South-South cooperation, during 2010 Cuba provided technical assistance twice in Haiti and once in Chile. Also, two regional workshops on local disaster risk reduction and the Eighth International Congress on Disasters, among other events, were held in our country.

Cuba reiterates its willingness to share its modest experiences, in the hope they are useful to other countries. We are also convinced that, together, we will be able to work in order to mitigate our vulnerabilities and reduce disaster risks. 

Thank you

(Cubaminrex - Permanent Mission UN)