Cuban Parliamentary Commissions in Session
The vulnerabilities that may favor the impact by hurricanes on the country and the need to keep increasing efficiency in the energy sector were on the spotlight of two Cuban Parliament commissions, which held sessions today at Havana's Conventions Center.
Colonel Jose Ernesto Betancourt, chief of the Risk Reduction Management Department with the National Civil Defense recalled the recent hurricane season and the impact by Gustav, Ike and Paloma.
Based on the experience, main characteristics of the impact by the natural phenomena on different territories were studied, since not all such events behave the same in terms of rains and winds. He recalled that major damage was observed in the housing sector, with over half a million homes affected.
The member of the Defense Commission of the Cuban Parliament also referred to studies on roofing materials for homes and state institutions and he said efforts are being focused on the need to meet the technical requirements when such elements are set up.
He also referred to an ongoing risk study in all coastal areas and to upcoming research on the impact of climate change. The main experienced learned from the recent hurricanes served to evaluate in a more objective way the large evacuation carried out which amounted to millions of people this year.
Evacuation is one of the major strengths of the Cuban Civil Defense system, said the expert.
Meanwhile, during the session of the Energy and Environment Commission of the Cuban Parliament, Basic Industry Minister Yadira Garcia, who said that the state sector counts on most possibilities to increase energy efficiency in the country. She said that after replacing almost all inefficient domestic appliances, the residential sector is in more favorable conditions.
Yadira Garcia underscored the work undertaken by social workers in the national energy program. She said the Cuban people have enriched their energy culture, which can be witnessed in improved efficiency in sectors like transportation, where fuel consumption have been kept as low as last year although new equipment have been introduced.
Colonel Jose Ernesto Betancourt, chief of the Risk Reduction Management Department with the National Civil Defense recalled the recent hurricane season and the impact by Gustav, Ike and Paloma.
Based on the experience, main characteristics of the impact by the natural phenomena on different territories were studied, since not all such events behave the same in terms of rains and winds. He recalled that major damage was observed in the housing sector, with over half a million homes affected.
The member of the Defense Commission of the Cuban Parliament also referred to studies on roofing materials for homes and state institutions and he said efforts are being focused on the need to meet the technical requirements when such elements are set up.
He also referred to an ongoing risk study in all coastal areas and to upcoming research on the impact of climate change. The main experienced learned from the recent hurricanes served to evaluate in a more objective way the large evacuation carried out which amounted to millions of people this year.
Evacuation is one of the major strengths of the Cuban Civil Defense system, said the expert.
Meanwhile, during the session of the Energy and Environment Commission of the Cuban Parliament, Basic Industry Minister Yadira Garcia, who said that the state sector counts on most possibilities to increase energy efficiency in the country. She said that after replacing almost all inefficient domestic appliances, the residential sector is in more favorable conditions.
Yadira Garcia underscored the work undertaken by social workers in the national energy program. She said the Cuban people have enriched their energy culture, which can be witnessed in improved efficiency in sectors like transportation, where fuel consumption have been kept as low as last year although new equipment have been introduced.
Source:
PL
Date:
23/12/2008