Cuba Expresses Gratitude for Venezuelan Support in Hurricane Melissa Recovery

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel today highlighted the work of a team of Venezuelan specialists, sent by President Nicolás Maduro, to support the recovery of eastern provinces following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

“In Santiago, we met with the team of Venezuelan brothers who, at the instruction of President Maduro, are helping in the recovery of the eastern provinces after the passage of Hurricane #Melissa. Through them, we send a strong embrace to the beloved people of #Venezuela. THANK YOU,” the president wrote on the social network X.

On the same platform, Díaz-Canel acknowledged the intense battle being waged in Santiago de Cuba against the destruction caused by the storm.

“Brigades from across the country are working alongside the beloved people of Santiago to restore essential services,” he stated during his visit to the towns of El Cristo and El Caney, which he described as “full of history and courage.”

Coordinated Relief Efforts

Previously, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero confirmed at the National Defense Council the continuous reception and distribution of national and international donations, destined especially for vulnerable individuals, pregnant women, and underweight children.

Provinces and municipalities have prioritized the delivery of basic food supplies, such as rice, peas, and oil, to the most affected communities.

Beyond material aid, Marrero emphasized solidarity as an intrinsic value of the Cuban people.

“We are not offering what we have left over, but we are sharing what we have,” the head of government stated, recognizing the crucial role of non-state organizations, businesses, and citizens in general.

Creative Solutions for Restoring Services

In the face of damage to key infrastructure, Cuban authorities have implemented creative measures to restore fundamental services.

Several bakeries, despite having suffered total or partial loss of their roofs, have maintained production by temporarily relocating to alternate facilities.

The education sector is avoiding interruptions by moving teaching activities to community spaces and family homes. Cultural centers and meeting halls have been adapted into provisional classrooms, while families are urged to guarantee school attendance.

In the transportation sector, a progressive recovery is being recorded with the partial resumption of provincial railway services, although disruptions to national connections persist.