Transfer of Knowledge:
Replicating the Risk
Reduction Management
Centre, a Cuban model
Prepared by Jacinda Fairholm
Caribbean Risk Management Initiative, UNDP
Dec 2010 – 5th CDM Conference, Montego Bay
Cuban System
Centralized
 Civil Defence established in 1962 after
Hurricane Flora
 1997 Disaster Risk Reduction inserted
as part of legal framework: Decree Law
170
 35 fatalities since 1998
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What is transferable?
Articulation and coordination between
actors
 Priority on identification of
vulnerabilities, hazards and risks
 Use of appropriate technology
 Investment in human capacity
 Systematic public education campaigns
 Instruments positioned at local
territorial levels as tools for local
decision-making
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What is a RRMC?
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Initiated in the 2005
Located in 48 municipalities identified as most vulnerable
Constitutes an instrument of local governments designed to
manage information about hazards, risks and
vulnerabilities in a given territory
Is a small professional team that manages an information
hub at the local level of governance (1 Director, 1 GIS
specialist)
Is affiliated with and accountable to lowest level of political
administration.
There are RRMCs in 48 of the country’s most vulnerable
municipalities, in addition to 8 provincial RRMCs.
Municipalities with
RRMC
Function of a RRMC
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Facilitate analysis and periodic assessment of local risks
and factors that produce vulnerabilities with the
participation of territorial institutions
Compile, process and prepare information derived from
monitoring activities
Participate in the preparation of territorial disaster plans
Document and preserve historical memory
Contribute to the promotion of a disaster risk reduction
culture in the population
Participate in response and recovery
Equipment
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Three (3) computers with printer and Internet connection
Two (2) telephone lines
Portable 2.3 kW generator
Television set
DVD player
Communication radio
Portable radios/walkie talkies
Rechargeable emergency lamp
Digital camera
Flashlights
Blackboard, furniture, signage
Rain capes, boots, and safety hats
Seven Components that are
Transferable
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Early Warning Points
Multi-Disciplinary Group
Risk and Vulnerability Studies
Use of Data Bases
Use of GIS
Communication
Public Awareness and Community Preparation
Early warning points
Early warning points (EWP) are understood as individuals or
teams located in settlements of more than 300 persons, which
have been identified as remote, isolated or run the risk of being
incommunicado in a disaster situation. The EWPs have the
mission of monitoring natural or other hazards that could
threaten the population and are responsible for transmitting this
information to the Centre; in turn, the EWP are sufficiently
trained to serve as first responders, provide information the
population of the situation and communicate measures to take.
Multi-disciplinary Group
The multi-disciplinary group (MDG) is composed of representatives
from multiple sectors that play a key role in territorial development.
• It has the responsibility to provide technical and scientific
information and analysis of vulnerabilities and risks, for the purpose
of informed decision-making by local authorities in disaster
prevention and preparation – as well as sustainable territorial
development.
Made up of:
Land planning
Transport
Health
Statisics
Water Resources
Sanitation
Agriculture
Energy
Housing
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Risk and Vulnerability
Studies
A process of research, identification, characterization, qualitative and
quantitative assessment of hazards, vulnerabilities and risk at all stages of
the disaster management cycle.
Risk studies are organized and directed by an accredited public/state entity
in coordination with the national disaster management agency and are
based on a standardized methodology.
Form the basis for the territorial disaster risk reductionplan.
Multi-disciplinary group revises, updates and adds to the study on an
annual basis.
Etapas y tareas para la evaluación del riesgo por incendio en áreas rurales
1. Primera Fase
Identificación del
escenario de peligro
(susceptibilidad)
1.1 Construcción de la
base de dato espacial
1.2 Procesamiento de los
mapas temáticos
1.3 Evaluación de la
susceptibilidad por
períodos estacionales
2. Segunda Fase
Cálculo del peligro
2.1 Análisis de frecuencia
2.2 Probabilidad espacial y
temporal
2.3 Evaluación del peligro
por períodos estacionales
(lluvioso y poco lluvioso)
3. Tercera fase
Cálculo de
vulnerabilidad
3.1 Análisis jerárquico
de indicadores de
vulnerabilidad
3.2 Evaluación de la
vulnerabilidad
(lluvioso y poco lluvioso)
n
R  V i * Pi
i 1
4. Cuarta fase
Estimación del
riesgo
4.1 Estimación del riesgo
4.2 Cartografía del riesgo y
visualización
4.3 Evaluación del riesgo
por períodos estacionales
(lluvioso y poco lluvioso)
Principle Results
Determine
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the zones that are affected by hazards
Evaluate the hazard
Evaluate
the vulnerablility
Evaluate
the Risk
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Make recommendations
Example
Hazard
Vulnerablity and
Risk Analysis
Data Base
The RRMC manages data bases, which store
information pertinent to informed disaster risk
reduction decision-making.
Data includes population, housing, settlements,
infrastructure and its condition, institutions,
materials available, natural resource, public health
information and historical events.
Use of GIS
GIS should support Disaster Reduction Plans through mapping:
territorial boundaries, main vulnerable areas, watershed and water
resource systems, transportation corridors and points, medical or
animal health institutions, shelters and food preparation centres,
evacuation sites, electrical grid, and meteorological stations,
among others.
Data made visible constitutes a key tool decision-making for landuse planning and assessment of risk and disaster impact. GIS
permits the generation of information instantly so that prognosis
and measures can be taken in real time.
Communication
The RRMC is equipped with communication technology so that can
facilitate information flow to early warning points and remote
communities.
The communication role of the RRMC supplements and complements
national Disaster authority communication systems and is integrated in
a coordinated fashion prior to a disaster situation.
Public Awareness
The RRMC supports community preparation activities in conjunction
with the national disaster management agency. It works to raise public
awareness to reduce the impact of imminent hazards through
information distribution, use of mass media and community outreach.
The RRMC also strengthens community and early warning point
capacity through workshops and trainings.
Process of Replication
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Systematization
National Workshop (Sept 2010)
Guide and Fact Sheet (Oct 2010)
Study Tour (Dec 2010)
Pilot Project – 3 – 5 countries
Tool Kit (videos and training materials)
Evaluation
Resource Mobilization
CONDITIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL
IMPLEMENTATION
Minimum requirements
• A legal framework which obligates government action to respond to disasters and
support recovery efforts
• A national or territorial institution that is mandated to prepare and respond to
risks and disasters
• A UNDP country office active in disaster risk reduction and willing to
accompany the replication process
• Adequately trained professional human resource personal, in disaster
management and coordination, communication and information (GIS)
management
• A relationship between territorial or local government and the Centre must be
brokered; the Centre and EWPs are tools for local government decision-making
Conditions cont’d
Quantifiable indicators of community vulnerability should be available to orient
the selection of the location of the Centres within the broader territory.
Demonstrative level of vulnerability is a criteria
for establishing a Centre.
• Public and sector-specific institutions with representation at the territorial level
who can contribute data and analysis for the purpose of risk and vulnerability
studies.
• Key sectors would be: social welfare, planning, health, water resources,
meteorology, natural resources (including
agriculture, fisheries and forestry), civil protection, energy, and the Red Cross, and
NGOs where suitable.
• Public sector institutions have the mandate and the means to obtain and share
information about the vulnerabilities associated with the territory.
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Conditions cont’d
• National statistics agency and its district affiliates supports Centres’
mandate by providing demographic and socio-economic information
• Cartographic and mapping resources available (territorial,
topographical, GIS)
• Access to meteorological and climatic information.
Pilot
2011 – 2012 – CRMI II
• 485,000 USD
• 10 Centres max in 3- 5 Countries
• Next Steps
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•Stakeholder meetings
•Ascertain political will/commitment
•Negotiation and agreements with National
DRM structures
•Role within National Structure agreed
upon
•Location identified
Terms of reference for MDG
Resource Mobilization
Training for Personnel and
EWP
Role of Cuba
•Technical
Training and Support
•Provide internship or longer study tour
•Development of a model training site
•Production of video re. Cuban experience
Identified Challenges
Resource Mobilization
Data Sharing
Best fit within existing structure
Thank you
www.undp.org.cu/crmi