Havana, October 4 (RHC)--The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Deputy Resident Coordinator for Cuba, Soledad Bauza,  praised the islands’ s Civil Defense system and the way it provides relief to its citizens affected by natural disasters and catastrophes.

In remarks to Cuban national television, Bauza noted that the Island’s preparedness is fully encouraged by its political and social system, and she expressed admiration for its people responsiveness to the instructions given by the civil defense system.

The Deputy Resident Coordinator reiterated UNDP’s willingness to work together with Cuban authorities in the relief efforts underway in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, and that the UN agency will not abandon the projects it currently has underway on the island.

She added that currently UNDP is concentrating its assistance in Cuba on the rebuilding of housing damaged by the storm, and in projects related to environmental protection, access to means of living and the generation of sustainable and green energy.

Cooperation ties between UNDP and Cuba dates back to 1973 and, currently that international agency manages 44 projects on the island,some of them focunsing on local human development, environmental protection, disaster risk management and the control of HIV/AIDS.