Cuba, weathering the storm: lessons in risk reduction from Cuba

This report hopes to present a comprehensive overview of the Cuban model of risk reduction in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery and explore what may be adapted from this model in other countries. This report focuses on specific recommendations for Central America. The final section of this report draws out several mechanisms from the Cuban model that might be adapted to Central America based on that region’s rich history of grassroots experience in social organization. Although the report aims for a complete explanation of the Cuban model, it does not pretend to provide an exhaustive review of risk reduction in Central America. The goal of “Weathering the Storm: Lessons in Risk Reduction from Cuba” is to provide information, offer ideas and provoke discussion to improve strategies of risk reduction at the community level in Central America, contributing to a culture of prevention.