The Cuban government will sell building materials and mattresses to those affected by Hurricane Oscar

After Hurricane Oscar passed through the eastern region of Cuba, the Cuban government set up the sale of construction materials and mattresses for those affected by the storm in Guantánamo province.

According to the official newspaper Granma, Yanisley Ortiz Mantecón, the Deputy Minister of Finance and Prices, reported that the phenomenon resulted in significant material damage, especially to homes, ranging from total collapses to partial roof losses.

At a press conference held on Friday, Ortiz Mantecón explained that, in response to this situation, the State will subsidize 50% of the cost of construction materials for those whose homes have been affected.

Likewise, the price of mattresses intended for the victims will also be subsidized, a measure included in the recent Agreement 9991 of the Council of Ministers, published in the extraordinary edition number 47 of the Official Gazette of the Republic.

The Deputy Minister stated that those whose incomes do not allow them to acquire the necessary materials and goods may apply for bank loans and subsidies from the state budget or seek social assistance for financial support, in accordance with current legislation.

However, these government measures have sparked skepticism among many Cubans who have heard similar promises during previous disasters but never saw the promised aid materialize in its entirety.

In other recent events, such as Hurricane Ian in September 2022, the Government also promised financial and material support to those affected. However, beneficiaries encountered lengthy bureaucratic processes, delays in the delivery of materials, and prices that were out of reach for a population already grappling with a severe economic crisis.

Furthermore, although the State claims to subsidize 50% of the cost of materials and offers credits and grants, the reality of state-run stores is quite different: construction materials are often out of stock, and when they become available, the prices are prohibitive for most people. These obstacles, compounded by rising inflation, limit the affected individuals' ability to rebuild their homes.