[NYTr] Noel Still  Deluging E Cuba; 69,000 Evacuees in Mexico; UN Calls for More Disaster Protection
 
Date: Sat, 3 Nov 2007 17:13:52 -0500 (CDT)

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Prensa Latina, Havana
http://www.plenglish.com

Noel Torrents still Deluge E Cuba

Havana, Nov 3 (Prensa Latina) The Eastern provinces of Cuba continue
under the effects of torrential rains associated to Noel tropical
storm, a hurricane already, causing significant economic and social
damages.

According to data of Civil Defense of the National General
Administration (EMDC), more than 30,000 people of east Cuba have been
evacuated to safe places where they are guaranteed the necessary means
and food services until weather conditions improve.

The EMDC maintained informative phase on for the provinces of
Guantanamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma and Tunas, where rains mainly
affect mountainous areas.

In those territories, most dams are overflowing and tens of communities
are without communication because of floods and the destruction of
highways and roads, Radio Rebelde reported.

According to the same source, half a million people in Santiago of Cuba
face a critical drinking water situation, due to breakages of pipes and
power interruptions.

Damages to the economy of Santiago de Cuba are considered at this
moment at three million pesos, mainly related to the thousands of
coffee beans still without being collected in the mountains, RR
emphasized.

According to Granma paper, member of the Political Bureau of the
Communist Party Jose Ramon Machado said in Las Tunas the nation will
help solve quickly the most serious problems.

hr gdb dsa mf

PL-15

                            ***

Over 69,000 Rain Evacuees in Mexico

Mexico, Nov 3 (Prensa Latina) At least 69,000 Mexicans affected by
floods in the state of Tabasco are in temporary shelters in higher
zones, Social Development Secretary Beatriz Zavala announced Saturday.

"The total number of victims and magnitude of damages will be
determined after a census of those affected," she said in a televised
interview.

The official explained there are 600 temporary shelters in Tabasco
areas, and announced a large number of evacuees will be taken to others
fearing a rise in water levels.

"Tasks providing attention to the one million people affected by floods
are being jointly held by the army and navy," Zavala pointed out.

More shelters are being fitted out in Villahermosa under the control of
the armed forces, while hundreds of volunteers distribute the aid and
carry out medical tasks.

hr dig ydg mf PL-8

                           ***

UN Strengthening Disaster Protection

United Nations, Nov 3 (Prensa Latina) The UN initiative entitled
International Strategy to Reduce Disasters called on the governments to
strengthen efforts to protect the population from disasters.

This call occurs after the devastating effects of tropical storm Noel
in the Caribbean and the Mexican state of Tabasco that left a total of
more than a hundred dead and thousands of victims as a result of
intense rains.

In the Dominican Republic deaths rose to 73, there are 40 disappeared
and about 64 thousand displaced persons and more than 80 percent is
under water.

Haiti for its part reported that Noel left at least 40 dead, while
Jamaica reported one and one in Mexico as well as 700,000 victims in
the latter country.

Flooding due to storms or hurricanes are some of the catastrophes that
are easily predicted but UN criticism is aimed at the fact that not
enough measures are taken to protect the poorer population, always the
most affected.

According to Salvano BriceC1o, Strategy director, there are many
measures that are less costly that can be taken systematically in
countries prone to these disasters to reduce impact of damages.

In a report released in this office, BriceC1o stressed measures of early
warning, evaluation of risks, evacuation plans, education of the
vulnerable population and preparation of the soil.

hr tgj avp mf

PL-2

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