NoticiasUNDP Sponsored Workshop on Forecasting Extreme Meteorological
Events Underway in Cuba Text and Photos by Alberto D. Pérez
 HAVANA,
August 13 (NEWS from the United Nations).- Meteorologists from several small Caribbean
countries began a four-day workshop on Monday on the application of the MM5 model,
used for forecasting extreme meteorological events.
The workshop is sponsored
by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Cuba under its Caribbean Risk
Management Initiative (CRMI) with support from the Caribbean Centre for Climate
Change (CCCC), the Cuban Institute of Meteorology (INSMET) and the Cuban Ministry
for Foreign Investment and Economic Cooperation (MINVEC). The Norwegian
government, through its Foreign Ministry, provided funding for this workshop and
others that are part of a series aimed at increasing technical knowledge to improve
risk management capacity in the region. UNDP Resident Representative a.i.
Roberto Gálvez thanked organizers and sponsors, and spoke about the importance
of timely forecasts at a time when meteorological events are becoming more dangerous,
causing increased damage and greater numbers of victims. "Extreme meteorological
conditions, which in addition to hurricanes include droughts and floods, will
become increasingly frequent and severe, as shown by current tendencies of climate
change," said Gálvez. He pointed out that the Economic Commission
for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) reported that the 2004 cyclone season
caused $7 billion US in damage and virtually destroyed Grenada and the Cayman
Islands. Galvez said that the consequences of such disasters are increasingly
destructive on small islands and in less developed countries.
 Moreover,
Galvez pointed out that these extreme events impede the fulfilment of the UN Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) and -together with climate change- lead to famine, drought,
and the loss of life, homes and other property, and means to make a living.
Gálvez
said that according to research conducted by the United Nations, vulnerability
to climate change is exacerbated by other tensions, such as poverty, unequal access
to resources, food insecurity, global economics, conflicts and diseases such as
HIV/AIDS. He noted that the UNDP, convinced of the seriousness of this issue,
dedicated its 2007 Human Development Report to the process and consequences of
climate change. "As such, development strategies must take into account the
risks associated with climate and climate change," said Gálvez. "In
our region, the Caribbean Risk Management Initiative (CRMI), sponsored by the
UNDP/Cuba, is making significant contributions to one of the five work areas of
our organization: crisis prevention and recovery. In the three languages of the
region, we are helping to facilitate working relations between scientists, decision-makers
and executors in the region, by hosting events such as this scientific workshop
on forecasting extreme meteorological events," said Gálvez.
 Following
Gálvez' opening remarks, representatives from the Cuban Institute of Meteorology
gave a presentation on the MM5 Model to other Caribbean experts.
UNDP-Cuba
Resident Representative a.i. Susan McDade thanked participants for their presence
and sponsor institutions for their support. Dr. Abel Centella, on behalf
of the Cuban Institute of Meteorology, greeted the workshop participants and reiterated
his institution's desire to share their knowledge and experience with their Caribbean
colleagues. The entire opening day was dedicated to discussing and evaluating
new technologies that forecast and assess tropical storm trajectories and conditions.
The workshop runs until Thursday, August 16.
Pub.
13 de agosto / 2007 | 
