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The Catholic Church in Cuba announced the sending of four planes with humanitarian aid from Miami to the dioceses most affected by Hurricane Melissa in the eastern part of the country.
According to a news release from the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Cuba (COCC), the first plane with resources has already arrived in Santiago de Cuba, and a second flight will arrive in Holguín this Saturday, November 15.
Later, two more planes will take off, one destined for the diocese of Guantánamo–Baracoa and the other for Bayamo–Manzanillo.
The bishops explained that this aid is the result of the “fraternal love of the Archdiocese of Miami”, which has mobilized to support the communities devastated by the cyclone.
The operation is coordinated through Cáritas Cuba, in collaboration with Caritas from other countries and sister churches, which have sent and will continue to send resources to the dioceses affected by the hurricane.
In the statement, the bishops detail that the bishops of the dioceses affected by Melissa reported during the 166th Ordinary Plenary Assembly the harsh reality faced by their territories, as well as the gestures of help and charity received “from the very first moments of the cyclone's impact.”
The director of Cáritas Cuba, Carmen María Nodal, also presented a report on the collaborative work between the National Cáritas, the diocesan Cáritas, and support networks abroad, emphasizing that assistance is being received and will continue to be received from multiple dioceses and churches around the world.
The bishops also reported that, in the coming weeks, they expect to finalize the assistance offered by the United States Administration, which will be processed and distributed “with the collaboration of the Caritas from both countries,” in a framework that seeks to ensure that resources are delivered efficiently while respecting the identity and mission of the Church in Cuba.
The COCC expressed gratitude "to all those who, with promptness and generosity, have looked upon this people with affection once again and are contributing to alleviate so much pain," as well as the facilities and collaboration found to ensure that aid from abroad can be received and distributed.
He also appreciated the "ecumenical testimonies of common service" that have emerged in recent days, referring to the cooperation with other churches and Christian communities.
In the statement, the bishops frame this humanitarian effort within the context of a severe crisis in eastern Cuba following the passage of Melissa, where destroyed homes, isolated communities, infrastructure damage, and shortages of basic resources have been reported. This situation has compelled the Church to intensify its charitable presence and coordination with solidarity networks both within the country and abroad.
This Wednesday, the Head of Mission, Mike Hammer, met with bishops from eastern Cuba to identify needs and coordinate the distribution of 3 million dollars intended directly for the affected individuals.
The Embassy emphasized that the amount allocated for the island is part of a regional emergency assistance effort to save lives and address immediate needs arising from the damage caused by the hurricane.
The announcement comes after Washington reaffirmed its willingness to provide immediate humanitarian aid to the Cuban people affected by Melissa and emphasized that the distribution channel would be exclusively non-state.
With the support of the bishops of the East and Caritas, the diplomatic mission stated that it will continue to coordinate the reception and distribution of resources to swiftly assist those affected.
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