Cuban Government and Church Collaborate for Hurricane Melissa Relief

The collaboration between the Cuban government and the Catholic Church has become vital in the response to Hurricane Melissa, which recently devastated the eastern region of Cuba. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba announced that aid from the United States is expected to be formalized in the coming weeks.

This follows initial assistance from the Archdiocese of Miami, with multiple planes already delivering humanitarian supplies to the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba and more flights scheduled for Holguin, Guantanamo-Baracoa, and Bayamo-Manzanillo, as reported by OnCuba News and CubaNet.

The aid, valued at three million dollars, is being coordinated through Caritas, the Catholic humanitarian organization, ensuring that resources reach those most affected. Mike Hammer, the U.S. mission chief in Cuba, has been actively meeting with bishops to assess the needs of the hurricane victims and to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian assistance, as highlighted by OnCuba News.

Hurricane Melissa struck the eastern provinces at the end of October, causing severe destruction, including flooding, landslides, and significant infrastructural damage, leaving many in a catastrophic situation.

According to Havana Times, over half of the residents in Santiago de Cuba remain without electricity two weeks post-hurricane, and many are also struggling to access clean drinking water. President Miguel Diaz-Canel visited Santiago de Cuba to assess the damage and convened a meeting of the National Defense Council, addressing the ongoing challenges, including the sale of essential supplies like water and mattresses, which has been met with public criticism.

The Prime Minister, Manuel Marrero, clarified that while some donated products are free, others are sold at nominal prices, causing confusion among residents about what assistance is available. The government has reported that 149,000 homes and 158,000 hectares of crops were impacted by the hurricane.

Efforts are underway to restore electricity, with varying success across affected provinces, and there are growing concerns about public health crises due to standing water and the potential for mosquito-borne diseases.

As the recovery process continues, the role of international assistance has proven essential, with the Cuban government expressing gratitude for the support from both the Church and the U.S. government.

The bishops emphasized their appreciation for the timely and generous aid, which aims to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the hurricane. The cooperation between the Cuban authorities and the Church underscores the challenges and complexities involved in disaster response, particularly in a context where humanitarian aid is often politically sensitive and logistically challenging.