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The province of Guantánamo distributes free mattresses from donations, but will sell more than a thousand and a half of these supplies from the state reserve to victims of Hurricane Melissa for 3,730 pesos each.
According to the official newspaper Venceremos, residents of several Popular Councils in Guantánamo, including Sempré, Carrera Larga, Bayate, Limonar, Sabaneta, and El Salvador, have begun receiving donated mattresses following the passage of Hurricane Melissa.
Daysi Sarmiento Cala, director of Foreign Trade for the provincial government, confirmed that the province has only received four donations, a volume significantly lower than in previous events such as Matthew (2016) and Óscar (2024).
The mattresses received from donations were distributed across the 10 municipalities of the province, following the procedures of the Defense Councils and local administrations.
However, the situation changes with the mattresses coming from the state reserve: Guantánamo received 1,580 units that, due to “the difficult economic situation of the country,” will be sold at a price of 3,730 pesos to assisted individuals, the media outlet emphasized.
For those who cannot cover the cost, discounts of 50%, 80%, or 100% of the value will be applied, following an individual assessment conducted by social workers and approved by the Municipal Management Councils, the official indicated.
The province also received a donation from the Republic of Colombia consisting of 1,600 food kits and an equal number of personal hygiene supplies, delivered to various Popular Councils in the municipality of El Salvador.
Additionally, Bucanero donated malts primarily intended for the personnel of organizations involved in the recovery, such as Etecsa, the Ministry of Construction, as well as for the Electricity companies, the provincial Construction company, Communal services, and Accommodations.
On the other hand, the Mexican company Richmeat, through its subsidiary in the Mariel Special Development Zone, delivered 25 tons of sausages and oil, the source noted.
With the approval of the Provincial Defense Council, this shipment was directed to Niceto Pérez, Caimanera, and Baracoa, where recent flooding affected homes in Cabacú and Bohorque.
Sarmiento noted that for all humanitarian aid, whether local, national, or international, “the donor must communicate their intention to the provincial government, and if they specify the destination, they are directed to the Municipal Defense Council (CDM) or to the president or vice president of the territory's Administrative Council.”
He also added, "You can contact the director of an organization if it is a specific entity where you wish to donate, as that intention is respected and the director informs the government for oversight."
Meanwhile, in Santiago de Cuba, the eve saw the distribution of completely free mattresses to those affected in Cayo Granma and the Santiago coastline, along with other personal items that will cost 1,430 pesos.
According to the report on Facebook from the official page Santiago de Cuba today, local authorities clarified that not all received products are donations, but they assured that the goal is for no affected individual to be left unprotected.
The decision to sell these supplies has sparked public outrage. “If they are donated, why are they being sold?” questioned the user Yoandra Rodríguez Vázquez, to which another user bluntly replied: “Why do other countries donate, and Cuba sells to those affected?”
Another comment, from Suleica Amita Ferrer, was equally straightforward: “I don’t understand if this is a donation, why do they have to pay when they lost everything?”
The complaints focus on exclusions and filters in the delivery. “I have two small children, I lost my roof and the mattresses, and nothing has arrived here,” Thaymi García reported.
For Ileana Miranda, the distribution has been arbitrary: "They only prioritize those over 65, pregnant women, and minors. Does the rest not eat? Do the other children not have rights?"
Others point to implementation issues in the neighborhoods. "Come to Arts and Crafts to deliver it personally," Yusdeleidis Quiala requested. "Those who really need it won't receive it through the commission they set up in the neighborhood."
The general discomfort is summarized in Yudita RD's critique: “Weren't all the products donations, and therefore they are going to be sold? What about all the donations mentioned on TV?”
For Ileana Míguez, the decisions are simply "absurd": "If they have lost everything, as donations come in, they should be given to them. Selling to the victims is abusive."
By the way, the ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel requested the residents of Santiago de Cuba to exercise "popular control" over the distribution of donations, due to doubts and questions regarding the correct allocation of aid and the potential diversion of resources.
This call comes in the context of a lack of transparency and allegations regarding the political use of donations by the government.
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