Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, Minister of Economy and Planning, and Oscar Pérez Oliva-Fraga, Head 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 Oscar and Rafael, as well as due to seismic activity in eastern Cuba.
Alonso Vázquez emphasized that, although the total economic impact has not yet been quantified precisely, it is very likely that these events will affect the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), complicating any prospects for economic growth for the current year.
The Minister of Economy informed that the housing sector has been particularly affected, with more than 34,000 properties damaged due to total and partial collapses and roof damage.
They pointed out that currently the recovery plans are underway, although their progress depends on the availability of resources and the effort to improve the housing stock, adapting it to climate change.
Among the impacts on the National Electric Power System (SEN), damage is reported 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 losses estimated at 383 million pesos.
Damage has also been reported in 22 hospitals, 605 communication poles, 276 educational facilities, 189 domestic trade establishments, 25 warehouses, 88 pumping systems, and four bridges, among others.
Pérez Oliva-Fraga emphasized the support received from the United Nations System, which made it possible to launch an immediate response thanks to resources that were already in place on the ground.
He also expressed gratitude for the signs 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, businesses, and citizens, both in Cuba and abroad, who have contributed to alleviating the damages 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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