AREQUIPA, Peru – The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), through its office in Cuba, announced this weekend at press conference an aid plan in the face of the recent natural disasters that affected the Island.
Regarding the passage of hurricanes Oscar and Rafael, as well as the earthquake that occurred this month in the eastern region, the UN entity will focus its actions on benefiting around 3,500 students from Cuban schools.
The plan was shared by Anne Lemaistre, UNESCO regional representative in Cuba. “We are not a humanitarian agency, but we are intervening more and more,” the directive said in statements cited by The Nation.
At first, support will reach the provinces of Granma and Guantánamo, and then extend to Havana and Artemisa. The donation would include school and recreational kits with educational games purchased from private MSMEs on the Island.
In addition to the students, the organization seeks to benefit more than 500 teachers, 150 educational methodologists, “140 young people who will become project leaders to improve their neighborhoods” and some 10,000 people who were affected in the communities.
UNESCO obtained funds for about $30,000 from its donors and the benefiting schools will get about $1,000 each, including materials and the fund for young student leaders.
Cira Piñeiro, vice minister of education in Cuba, informed the press that natural disasters had affected 876 educational centers, forcing many children to receive classes in teachers’ premises and homes and even in tents.
In less than a month, Cuba suffered the scourge of hurricanes Oscar, in the eastern zone, and Rafael, by the westwhich was combined with the collapse of the National Electric Service and the earthquake, exacerbating the existing crisis in the country.
Although the Cuban regime continues to blame the United States embargo as triggering the national blackout, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero recently recognized that “the state of the infrastructure, the lack of fuel and the increase in demand” are determining factors in the current situation.
Given the debacle on the Island, several international organizations have offered their support to the Castro regime, including the European Union, the UN, UNICEF, the Spanish Development Cooperation Agency, the International Red Cross and other governments. like those of RussiaMexico, Venezuela, Brazil and Japan.
