Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
In eastern Cuba, frequent natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and droughts highlight the need for reliable communication during emergencies, as electricity and communication networks can fail and isolate communities when information is most critical.
According to UNESCO, Cuban media have traditionally relied on team experience and adaptability but are now shifting toward more organized models of preparedness involving institutional coordination and protocols.
This transition is supported by recent legislative changes, including Cuba's first laws on social communication in 2024 and planned legislation on transparency and public information access in 2026. These laws emphasize the need for information to be reliable, accessible, and timely, with media institutions equipped with crisis communication manuals for disaster preparedness and response.
Capacity-building programs have involved over 55 media outlets since 2024. Supported by UNESCO's Multi-Donor Programme, these initiatives provide training from local scientific experts on hazards and vulnerabilities and address current coverage approaches to climate change and disasters. Technical assistance has helped media institutions develop disaster risk reduction and response plans based on UNESCO models.
The training also addresses operational challenges such as maintaining broadcasts when studios are compromised or power is lost, and setting editorial priorities during emergencies, shifting from ad hoc responses to systematic plans.