Integration of Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation. Florencia Municipality Study Case

Abstract

This article evaluates Cuba’s implementation of the UNDP’s "Strategic Tool for Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA)", which integrates both approaches into development policies. Cuba adapted the tool by adding an independent social component to address vulnerabilities linked to gender, age, and disability. Using participatory methods, including expert workshops and case studies in Florencia municipality, the study revealed low DRR-CCA integration (0.42 on a 0-1 scale), gaps in climate data, weak local regulations, and limited social communication. Despite this, political commitment and institutional capacities were identified as drivers for improvement. The findings emphasize the need for multi-risk planning, robust data systems, and adaptive legal frameworks. While the tool effectively identifies gaps, it requires methodological refinements and stronger stakeholder coordination to enhance resilience.