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The president of the Provincial Defense Council and first secretary of the Communist Party in Guantánamo, Yoel Pérez García, visited the communities of Maca and Casimba in the municipality of Niceto Pérez to assess the evacuation process and the conditions of the traditional “varentierra” shelters used by farmers to withstand the onslaught of Hurricane Melissa.
According to the state-run newspaper Periódico Venceremos, Pérez García oversaw the relocation of families to "safe areas," the distribution of food, and the preparation of evacuation centers in a territory that is among the most vulnerable in the province due to its geographical location and the poor structural condition of the housing.
"In Maca Arriba, where more than 900 inhabitants reside, evacuation is carried out in the traditional varentierra, in medical clinics, and other fortified establishments equipped to withstand the impacts of the storm," the state media reported.
In the area of Casimba, where more than 780 people live, all medical offices are equipped with first aid supplies and immediate medical attention is guaranteed in case of an emergency. However, authorities acknowledged that the area could become isolated due to the rains and landslides caused by the hurricane.
The Provincial Defense Council assured that house-to-house surveillance and communication through ham radio operators have been strengthened to ensure the flow of information in the event of power outages or interruptions in telephone service.
However, there are reports of people who, due to the lack of electricity, are unaware of the approaching cyclone.
The “varentierra”, also known as bahío, bohío or rancho de vara en tierra, is a traditional peasant construction that has withstood the test of time in rural areas of eastern Cuba.
Made with natural materials—palms, rods, vines, and trunks—it stands directly on the ground and features a low, aerodynamic structure that minimizes the impact of hurricane winds.
According to the station Radio Guantánamo, these structures have historically been used as temporary shelters during tropical cyclones.
In communities like Velete, Maisí, and Niceto Pérez, varentierra continues to be an essential part of the culture and survival strategy against natural disasters.
"Since ancient times, the ingenuity and the needs of Cuban farmers have given rise to this unique construction. It is not just a house, but a symbol of resilience in the face of hurricanes," emphasizes a report by journalist Chely Tamayo.
In the current hurricane season, marked by the imminent arrival of the hurricane Melissa, these rustic homes once again take center stage as makeshift shelters for dozens of families from mountainous and hard-to-reach areas, where modern infrastructure is scarce or non-existent.
The hurricane Melissa, currently a category 5, is dangerously approaching eastern Cuba with sustained winds of 295 km/h and torrential rain.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) predicts that the eye of the cyclone will impact the area between Uvero and Chivirico, in Santiago de Cuba, during the early morning hours of Wednesday, severely affecting the coastal municipalities of Guantánamo as well.
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