UNICEF donates nearly 1,500 kg of medical supplies for those affected by Hurricane Oscar in Cuba.

A shipment of 1,498 kilograms of medicines and medical supplies arrived in Cuba on Friday as part of UNICEF's aid to support health services in the areas most affected by Hurricane Oscar, particularly in the province of Guantánamo.

According to a statement from the international organization, this initial donation aims to strengthen healthcare for approximately 140,000 people, including pregnant women, boys, girls, and adolescents in the easternmost province of the Caribbean nation.

Alejandra Trossero, UNICEF representative on the island, stated that the organization is working to support the recovery of the eastern part of the country, where dozens of families lost all their belongings and at least six people have died.

"We deeply regret the loss of human lives caused by Oscar. We immediately mobilized to contribute to the national response efforts in the most affected areas, particularly to ensure that girls, boys, and adolescents, along with their families in Guantánamo, have access to basic services," she emphasized.

The 60 provided kits contain pain relievers, antibiotics, antifungals, and other essential medical supplies for emergencies, in the midst of the severe humanitarian crisis in eastern Cuba.

Additionally, UNICEF will provide the authorities with 1,300 packages of Albendazole antiparasitic tablets, intended for the care of those affected in areas where health authorities anticipate an increase in digestive and respiratory infections, as well as dengue and the Oropouche virus.

Tropical storm Oscar impacted eastern Cuba on October 20, bringing more than 650 mm of rain in some areas, causing river overflow and sudden flooding.

UNICEF indicated that the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur, Imías, Baracoa, and Maisí in Guantánamo experienced the greatest impact, and a population of more than 149,000 people has had essential services interrupted.

He added that, along with support from the General Directorate of Civil Protection and European Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), they also sent materials to repair 74 schools damaged in Guantánamo.

This includes 1,000 roof sheets, purlins, and screws.

In addition, the organization will allocate 230 recreation kits and 214 early childhood kits to provide psycho-emotional support to over 20,000 children, as well as tents and tarps to create temporary teaching spaces.

In response to the request from the Cuban regime, UNICEF will also provide 4,420 water tanks for family consumption, 870 hygiene kits, and a water purification plant that will ensure safe drinking water for 15,000 people.

“We will continue to support the Cuban authorities and local institutions to ensure that essential services are restored in the affected communities, and that children and adolescents can return to the classrooms and their daily lives in safe environments,” concluded Trossero.

For its part, the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations (UN) announced that it will send technical equipment and food modules for the recovery of the communities in Guantanamo devastated by Oscar.

Etienne Labande, representative of the organization in Cuba, stated that the agency is engaged in a range of tasks, including providing technical assistance through the delivery of tents, mobile warehouses, and lighting towers that operate independently from the electrical grid.