Habitat conference in Cuba
The Second Regional Parliamentarian Forum on Habitat took place in Havana September 17-19. More than 18 countries participated. Two of the main issues discussed were the sustainable development of human settlements and the need for adequate housing for all.
The president of the executive council of the World Parliamentarian Habitat Group, which sponsored the forum, Mexican Oscar Lopez, told reporters that the majority of countries currently lack adequate legislation on issues related to human survival.
Lopez pointed out that, although Latin America and the Caribbean have the highest urban growth rate in the world, adequate housing has been denied to the overwhelming majority of their citizens. By the year 2000, seven in 10 people in Latin America and the Caribbean will live in the cities — with all the problems that represents.
Over the next 25 years, 50 million new homes must be built in the region. According said that Cuba's production of housing, use of materials and technologies, social participation in construction and especially its "people first" housing policy serves as an example to the world.
Blood donations record
The Cuban Committees for the Defence of the Revolution (CDRs) have set a new record by contributing 569,981 blood donations to the island's blood banks. The CDRs, Cuba's largest grassroots network, are active in many health and general welfare issues.
According to CDR activists, in 1997 the organization reached the World Health Organization's goal for developed countries for the year 2000 — one blood donation for every 20 inhabitants. Today, one out of every 19 Cubans has donated blood.
Such is Cuba's record in the area that the World and Pan-American Health Organisations recognise Cuba as an advisor to other countries in the region on the process and importance of safe blood donation.
Reforestation
Cuba will increase its forests to 27% of its total land surface by the year 2000, according to Cuban deputy agriculture minister Fidel Ramos. He made the statement at the Second Cuban Forestry Congress held recently in Havana. Ramos said that the project is part of Cuba's forestry strategy, in line with Agenda 21.
[Compiled by Deepa Fernandes from reports from Radio Havana in Cuba, e-mail <rehc@radiohc.org> or visit <http://www.radiohc.org>.]