The Council of Ministers of Cuba approved a package of economic measures to support those affected by Hurricane Melissa, which hit the east of the country on October 29 and caused severe damage in five provinces.
Through Agreement 10247, published in the Official Gazettethe government decided that the State Budget will finance 50% of the price of construction materials intended for people whose homes were totally or partially affected in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín and Las Tunas.
Soft loans and additional subsidies
For those families whose income is not enough to purchase the necessary materials, the agreement establishes three alternatives: access to bank loans with preferential conditions, request for direct subsidies for the purchase of materials or financing through Social Assistance.
In addition, the State will assume the differential in the bank interest rate for victims who request loans for constructive actions derived from total or partial collapses of homes and roofs.
Bonuses on products and services
The Minister of Finance and Prices was empowered to grant bonuses on prices and rates of services and consumer products, as well as durable goods, that are marketed to people affected by the meteor.
The Ministers of Finance and Prices and Domestic Trade, together with the governors of the five affected provinces, will be responsible for establishing the information and control procedures and mechanisms necessary to implement these measures.
