The Cuban System of Disaster Risk Reduction and Its Applicability To Seismic Hazards

Abstract eng:
Earthquakes and other natural hazards pose a worldwide threat and their effects are particularly devastating in poor countries. Finding solutions to cope with this threat is a matter of concern to countries in general, and particularly important to countries that show the worst results in these aspects. In contrast, Cuba’s success in disaster risk reduction (DRR) has been globally recognised. However, this success cannot be explained by the mere application of some successful policies — as some analysts tend to do. Such views correspond to reductionist analyses that isolate phenomena and disregard their context, thus failing to consider processes of interdependence of multiple phenomena and the evolution of these processes. In the best case, reductionist analyses may acknowledge that successful policies are a result of experience and long-term improvement. However, incorporating the time factor only contributes to creating larger reductionist perspectives. Considering dialectical processes of interaction and co-evolution provides new insights to understand models and realities, such as the Cuban approach to natural hazards and DRR. This approach is noteworthy not only for providing solutions that can be globally applied. Cuba’s example demonstrates that successful approaches to natural hazards are not necessarily based on the income level of countries or on the degree of investment in disaster risk management. Moreover, Cuba’s remarkable results in DRR cannot be isolated from the socio-political context in which its DRR strategy is immersed. Cuba's strategy is part of a development model embedded in a socialist project. Taking into account the different nature of seismic hazards compared to those on which Cuba has vast experience, such as hurricanes, this article intends to explain and highlight aspects of Cuba’s DRR approach that can be globally applied, whatever hazard being considered. Cuba's DRR strategy is analysed with a focus on principles, policies, practices and methodologies followed by its National Civil Defence system (NCD) in which the Cuban National Seismological Research Centre (CENAIS); the Cuban National Seismological Service (SSN); the Cuban National Housing Institute (INV); the Institute of Physical Planning (IPF) and other institutions and mass organisations play a fundamental role. Cuba’s NCD system reflects features of a socio-political model that encourages social engagement and promotes of human values in Cuban society, thus enabling democratic processes of popular participation to solve society's problems and particularly avoid disasters.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket