MIAMI, United States. – Thousands of Cubans who lost their homes or suffered extensive damage after the passage of Hurricane Oscar in the east of the country will have to assume 50% of the cost of construction materials and mattresses, according to reports official media this Wednesday.
The Vice Minister of Finance and Prices, Yanisley Ortiz Mantecón, announced in a press conference that “decisions have been adopted for the protection of those affected in the province” of Guantánamo, where more than 11,000 affected homes are officially registered.
Ortiz Mantecón explained that “from the State Budget, 50% of the price of construction materials will be subsidized to people whose homes are totally or partially affected, and the prices of mattresses sold to those affected by the impact of this hydrometeorological event.”
Those whose income is not sufficient to acquire these goods may access “bank credits, request subsidies for the purchase of construction materials charged to the State Budget, or request financing from Social Assistance, in accordance with the provisions of current legislation. ”.
Ortiz Mantecón emphasized that these measures show that in Cuba “no one is left helpless.”
This week, the United Nations System (SNU) in Cuba estimated that at least 33.2 million dollars will be necessary to cover basic needs and support the long-term recovery process in the region affected by Hurricane Oscar on the Island. .
The storm, which hit the eastern end of the largest of the Antilles with winds of more than 130 km/h and rains of up to 600 mm in some areas, especially affected the municipalities of Baracoa, Maisí, Imías and San Antonio del Sur, where left eight dead and two missingaccording to data from the Cuban authorities.
“The situation in Guantánamo is critical,” indicates the “Action Plan – United Nations System in Cuba: Response to Hurricane Oscar (October 2024)”. According to that report, almost 150,000 people suffered severe damage and around 14,300 homes were destroyed or seriously damaged.
The funds estimated by the SNU include resources to restore access to basic services such as drinking water and electricity. The hurricane damaged health centers and water and sanitation systems, leaving thousands of people without access to these essential services.
“Recovery efforts should focus on restoring health services, ensuring access to drinking water and providing adequate sanitation facilities to reduce health risks,” says the SNU.
On the other hand, the agricultural sector was one of the most affected, with devastating losses in coffee, cocoa and banana crops. These products, essential for the local economy and the livelihood of thousands of families, were practically destroyed. According to the report, more than 15,000 hectares of farmland were destroyed, raising the possibility of a food crisis in the region and the need for financing to rebuild this critical sector.
