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Cuba

Map



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Hazards


  • Hurricanes (particularly the East coast)
  • Droughts

 

Past Events


  • Hurricane Dennis (2005)
  • Drought (2004)
  • Hurricane Charley (2004)
  • Hurricane Irene (1999): 2 killed.

Full Natural Disaster History (external link)
Full Technological Disaster History (external link)

Environmental Concerns


  • Biodiversity loss
  • Deforestation
  • Air/Water pollution
Profile
Cuba has been struck by numerous hurricanes over the past decade, and
has also been suffering from severe drought in many areas. Despite these servere hazards, few deaths bave been reported, due to a very efficient disaster preparedness network. In 2004, nearly 2 million residents were evacuated prior to the arrival of Hurricane Ivan. As a result, not a single death or injury was reported.

Government Strategies


Priority resources have been allocated by the central Cuban government for civil defence. An Oxfam study has noted that that organization and cooperation at the grassroots level is the best explanation from the low instances of disaster-related deaths.

The Cuban government revamped the civil defence law after a 1963 Hurricane resulted in more than 1,000 fatalities. Under a 1976 law, every adult receives civil defence training.

Country Contacts


Centro Latin-American de Medicine de Desastres (CLAMED)
Calle 18 No 710 entre 7ma. y 29 Playa
Ciudad de La Habana
Cuba
Tel (537) 202-3636 / 202-3644
Fax (537) 204-8806
E-mail ojito@infomed.sld.cu
URL http://www.clamed.sld.cu

Cuba Civil Defense
Oficina de Desastres
Calle 18 Esquina A 7a Avenida Miramar
La Habana
Tel (537) 23-5085
Fax (537) 33-2780
E-mail dcncir@infomed.sld.cu
URL http://www.cubagob.cu/otras_info/minfar/default.htm

Dr. Luis Ceballos
Cuba Red Cross
Calle Cazada No. 51 esq.
13 Vedado C. Habana. Cuba
CP: 10400
Tel: (537) 55-2555 / 56
Fax: (537) 66-2057
E-mail: crsn@infomed.sld.cu

Sociedad Meteorologica de Cuba (Cuba Meteorological Society)
Apartado Postal 4279
Codico Postal 10400
Habana 4
Ciudad Habana
Cuba
Tel (537) 30-8996
Fax (537) 33-3681
E-mail lulu@met.inf.cu
URL http://www.met.inf.cu/sometcuba/default.htm

 

Additional Resources



More information required? Search our Virtual Disaster Library.

 
 

Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Response Agency Centro Latin mericano de Medicine de Desastres Regional Disaster Information Center for Latin America & the Caribbean Université Antilles GuyaneSTIRANA Pan American Health Organization International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies

 

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Last Updated: 21-Dec-2005