The Meteoro Drill 2023 begins tomorrow in the eight municipalities of Las Tunas, to strengthen the preparation and response capacities in the face of the danger of natural, technological, and health disasters.

Las Tunas, Cuba.- The activities are aimed at specifying the status of compliance with the measures in the disaster risk reduction plans, the forces and means foreseen for the rescue and recovery actions, and the training of the population and workers in first aid, lifesaving, and light rescue.

The results of the experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic will also be analyzed, given the damage from Hurricane Ian, those derived from the events that occurred at the Saratoga Hotel and the Matanzas Supertanker Base, and the actions in the fight against the Aedes aegypti mosquito and avian influenza.

Among the objectives are to assess in the different structures of the Defense Councils the effects of the intense drought that affects the province, and the responses to the occurrence of forest fires; as well as, the protection measures for the population, the economy, and the non-state sector in the face of catastrophes.

During Saturday morning, the Meteoro will focus, among other missions, on exercising management structures on knowledge and comprehensive preparation regarding the risks and threats caused by disaster situations, coupled with checking communication and information systems.

On Sunday, practical actions will be developed aimed at facing the dangers of perceived disasters and reducing vulnerabilities, with the cleaning of ditches, canals, drains, the banks of rivers and streams, unblocking sewer manholes, pruning trees, cleaning pits, and collection of micro-dumps.

Meteoro is an annual exercise carried out by the Cuban Civil Defense to prepare its members and the population in the face of disaster situations. Besides, all state agencies and institutions are involved.