Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, Minister of Economy and Planning, and Óscar Pérez Oliva-Fraga, Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, appeared before national and international media this Thursday to provide details on the preliminary damages suffered in Cuba following the passage of hurricanes Óscar and Rafael, as well as the seismic activity in eastern Cuba.
Alonso Vázquez emphasized that, although the total economic impact has not yet been quantified precisely, it is highly likely that these events will affect the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), complicating any economic growth prospects for the current year.
The head of the Economy department reported that the housing sector has been particularly affected, with over 34,000 properties damaged due to total and partial collapses and roof damage.
They noted that recovery plans are currently underway, although their progress depends on the availability of resources and the effort to improve the housing stock, adapting it to climate change.
The impacts on the National Electric System (SEN) include damage to 2,449 transformers, the collapse of eight high-voltage towers, an undetermined number of electric poles, and 200 kilometers of distribution lines.
In the case of agriculture, significant losses were reported in the agricultural sector, with damage to 37,000 hectares of agricultural production, 381 agricultural facilities, and preliminary estimated losses of 383 million pesos.
Damage is also reported in 22 hospitals, 605 communication poles, 276 educational institutions, 189 domestic trade establishments, 25 warehouses, 88 pumping systems, and four bridges, among others.
Pérez Oliva-Fraga highlighted the support received from the United Nations System, which enabled an immediate response due to the resources that had already been positioned on the ground.
He also expressed gratitude for the expressions of solidarity from governments, organizations, and individuals who have sent essential resources to the country, such as food, medical supplies, construction materials, and monetary donations.
"We express our deepest gratitude to the institutions, governments, authorities, companies, and citizens, both in Cuba and abroad, who have contributed to alleviating the damage caused by these events in just 20 days," stated Pérez Oliva-Fraga.
Cuba's economy contracted by 1.9% in 2023, reported the Ministry of Economy and Planning in July.
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