The United Nations (UN) announced on Friday that it has raised to $78.3 million (75 million euros) the amount needed for its action plan aimed at addressing the severe damage caused in Cuba by the recent impact of two hurricanes, two major earthquakes, and a new collapse of the national electricity system.
Initially, the initiative aimed to mobilize 33 million dollars to address the damage caused by Hurricane Oscar, which struck the northeastern tip of the island on October 20, according to the EFE agency.
However, the plan was updated to include the damage caused by Hurricane Rafael, which struck the western region on November 6, as well as two earthquakes with magnitudes of 6 and 6.7 that occurred four days later in the southeastern part of the country.
In less than a month, Cuba has experienced three natural disasters and two major blackouts, further complicating the economic, food, and energy situation on the island.
According to the UN, these events have severely affected seven provinces and 17 municipalities, resulting in over 34,000 damaged homes, 37,000 hectares of destroyed farmland, and significant damage to electricity, water, and communication services.
The updated plan aims to address the most urgent needs of 930,000 people, reactivate basic services, and promote the socioeconomic recovery of the affected areas.
The priorities include water, sanitation, temporary shelters, health, education, food security, and early recovery.
Given this situation, a wave of humanitarian aid has begun to arrive from various countries and organizations.
- European Union and United Nations: They sent 94 tons of medicine and medical supplies.
- Venezuela: Committed 300 tons of humanitarian aid.
- Mexico: Donated 400,000 barrels of crude oil.
- Russia: Contributed 80,000 tons of diesel and equipment for the electrical system valued at 62 million dollars.
- China: Will send food and energy assistance.
Norway: Channeled 600,000 dollars through the UN Central Emergency Fund.
- Slovakia: Provided 40 tons of powdered milk through the World Food Programme.
Organizations such as the International Red Cross and solidarity groups have also contributed essential supplies.
According to experts consulted by EFE, the accumulation of disasters has exacerbated long-standing structural problems in Cuba, such as the fragility of the energy system and the vulnerability of critical sectors like agriculture.
In that context, hundreds of thousands of families remain in precarious conditions, living in tents, enduring power outages that last for several days, without access to adequate food or water, and awaiting immediate solutions.
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