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Two months after the impact of Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba, the National Civil Defense Staff announced that the province of Santiago de Cuba has been declared in a "phase of normality."
The Informative Note No. 10 warns that the decision is related to the "rehabilitation of vital services" and the efforts of local authorities in reconstruction. However, the proclaimed "normalcy" contrasts with the actual situation faced by thousands of families in Santiago.
"What normalcy? You have to be really bold! It's been two months since the hurricane, and they still haven't provided any materials for those affected, nor any donations. It's true that the blockade is finishing us off," a Cuban woman said with irony on Facebook.
"What recovery are they talking about? The streets of our city are full of illegal dumps, increasing the risk of spreading all kinds of diseases. Please respect the people," noted another person in the comments on the Civil Defense post.
In numerous neighborhoods, destroyed homes, makeshift roofs, and communities relying on water trucks for drinking water are still being reported. Daily blackouts, food shortages, and the precariousness of basic services continue.
The recovery has been slow and uneven, focused on urban areas prioritized by the government, while rural areas remain almost abandoned.
The official statement acknowledged the work of the administrative structures and state media, as well as the discipline of the population during the emergency. However, it did not provide figures on the reconstruction of damaged homes or on the management of the resources allocated for those efforts.
Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba at the end of October, causing severe damage to infrastructure, crops, and electrical networks. Despite the announcement from the Civil Defense, recovery in Santiago de Cuba remains more of an aspiration than a tangible reality for its residents.
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