"First of all, I would like to tell you that, in addition to my visit regarding disaster risk reduction issues, this visit is also a gesture of solidarity with the Cuban people," stated Kamal Kishore, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, to Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Secretary of the Party's Central Committee and President of the Republic.
On Wednesday morning at the Palace of the Revolution, the Head of State received the head of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), who noted that every year, "when the United Nations Secretary-General presents his report on the implications of the blockade against Cuba, our office also supports that report, and we explain the effects and repercussions it has."
"We," Kamal Kishore pointed out, "are aware of and understand the effects of this blockade, and we know the pain and difficulties the Cuban people are going through."
"The United Nations," he added, "stands shoulder to shoulder with Cuba during this very difficult time, and from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, we will do everything within our power to help the Cuban people and ensure that what the Cuban people can achieve is even greater."
During the dialogue, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General highlighted Cuba's progress regarding early warning systems and population protection—not only at the national level but also at the community level—an experience that serves as an example for many countries.
CUBA SHARES ITS EXPERIENCE IN DISASTER REDUCTION
Upon welcoming the head of the UNDRR to the Palace of the Revolution, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic highlighted the great importance our country attaches to their visit to the island.
"We are aware," he told them, "of your personal contribution to advancing disaster risk reduction across all countries and your commitment to scaling up best practices globally; we also wish to thank you for the support your office has provided to Cuba."
"Your visit is very important given the conditions our country is currently facing," stated Díaz-Canel, noting that he had been following their busy schedule of activities on the island.
"I have seen the televised reports on the sessions you attended," he recounted, "and I know you have been briefed on the complex situation our people are enduring due to the intensified blockade—particularly the energy blockade"—which impacts every aspect of economic and social life.
"It is," the Cuban president declared to the senior UN official, "a genocidal and criminal policy—and I say this without any exaggeration—that also affects our capacity for disaster risk reduction."
"We view your visit during such a difficult time as a sign of support and an understanding of the situation," the president noted, reaffirming Cuba's commitment to the UNDRR mandate and the Sendai Framework.
This agreement is backed by the United Nations General Assembly, following its adoption in 2015 at the Third World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction held in Sendai, Japan. It aims to substantially reduce disaster risks—regarding human lives, livelihoods, and health, as well as economic, physical, social, cultural, and environmental assets—and acknowledges that the primary responsibility for reducing disaster risk lies with the State.
The First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic emphasized that both the Sendai Framework and the UNDRR "play a highly significant role in the current global context, given the effects of climate change." He reiterated, "We are ready to work together with you, drawing on our own modest experience," to achieve these goals.
"Cuba," Díaz-Canel argued, "demonstrates that when there is political will and organization—even under the worst conditions of material resource constraints, and as a country facing aggression and a blockade—much can be achieved in disaster risk reduction. This is possible if policies are implemented to protect people and essential assets, and to both confront disasters and recover from their effects."
He noted, for instance, that in the face of the current cyclone season—one of the natural disasters that most affects the country—all measures for early warning and the protection of people, property, and resources have been taken, just as if conditions were normal, despite the hardships the country is enduring due to the intensified blockade and energy restrictions.
"In line with what was agreed upon in Sendai," he added, "we have also updated our institutional systems and regulations aimed at disaster risk reduction; this includes a national platform that reaches the grassroots level—extending to defense zones and local communities."
"In Cuba," Díaz-Canel added, "we have made progress in early warning systems and the creation of disaster reduction centers, and we have also incorporated science and innovation as part of the Government Management Program based on Science and Innovation for mitigating these risks."
"Our country," he reiterated, "has gained some experience that we are willing to share with you—and indeed, we have already shared much of it with the Caribbean region. We have trained personnel and shared studies from Tarea Vida (Life Task)—which addresses climate change and rising sea levels—as well as the methodologies and procedures underpinning our national disaster risk reduction platform."
During the meeting with the Cuban president, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative and Head of UNDRR was accompanied by Nahuel Arenas, Head of the UNDRR Regional Office for the Americas and the Caribbean, and Saskia Carusi, Deputy Head of the regional office.
Participating on the Cuban side were Division General Ramón Pardo Guerra, Chief of the National Civil Defense General Staff; Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; and First Colonel Luis Ángel Macareño Véliz, Deputy Chief of the National Civil Defense General Staff.
