Havana, May 20 (RHC)-- Cuban civil authorities will spend the weekend overseeing disaster preparedness island-wide, as the country conducts its yearly pre-hurricane season civil defense exercise. 

The aim, said National Civil Defense head, Retired General Ramón Pardo Guerra, is to strengthen the capacity to confront potential disaster events like hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, and health hazards.

The first day of the drill, this Saturday, is being devoted to the analysis of potential disaster events by the different layers of territorial authorities, the exchanging of information among surveillance and monitoring entities, and the inspection of early warning systems.

The Cuban Weather Institute expects this year's hurricane season to be a regular one, with some ten storm systems being formed, six of which could end up becoming hurricanes.
Cuba considers disaster preparedness essential, with focus on the protection of human lives.