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Five months after the impact of Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba, only 18,400 of the 106,500 damaged homes in Santiago de Cuba have been rehabilitated, which represents just 17% of the total affected.
This is how the official newspaper Sierra Maestra confirmed this Saturday, citing Yazmín Tortoza Sánchez, coordinator of Programs and Objectives of the Provincial Government of the People's Power in the eastern province.
"We have already rehabilitated approximately 18,400 [houses], mainly those that suffered partial roof collapses, while work continues on adapting premises, converting containers, and building type IV housing for those affected," the official stated.
Tortoza attributed the delays in the recovery process to the impact of the "blockade," which he claimed affects both the acquisition and production of materials as well as their transportation to various municipalities, including hard-to-reach areas in the Sierra Maestra and Sierra Cristal.
He explained that until the beginning of the year, the State was responsible for transporting materials from the sale points to the homes, but that logistics have been affected by the "limitations" in fuel supply and the restrictions imposed by the U.S. government on oil imports.
In severely affected municipalities like Palma Soriano, authorities report that they have prioritized the communities hardest hit by the hurricane that struck the eastern region of Cuba as a category 3 cyclone on October 29, crossing the island in six hours with strong winds and torrential rains.
Yoandrys Hernández Suárez, president of the Municipal Assembly of the People's Power in that area, noted that in areas like Candonga, significant progress has been made in a considerable portion of the homes assessed by the commissions responsible for evaluating the damage.
However, the testimonies of those affected tell a different story. A Cuban recounted weeks ago that the hurricane took my roof, it took my door, describing a situation of complete abandonment in El Cobre.
Reports of irregularities in the distribution of aid have also been frequent. Residents have pointed out that things are being given to those who were not affected, amid accusations that the recovery process has been characterized by political patronage.
In parallel with government efforts, Cáritas Cuba distributed several humanitarian aid flights for those affected in Santiago de Cuba, highlighting the role that civil organizations have played in light of the slow official response.
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