United Nations, September 19 (RHC-Granma)-- Speaking at the United Nations on Monday, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez said that the island is advancing in its recovery following the devastating impact of Hurricane Irma, and will not abandon any of those people affected to their own fate.
“The fruit of years of intense work by our people were erased by Irma in just a few hours. But the hurricane did not break Cubans’ spirit of resistance,” Rodríguez said during a UN General Assembly High-Level Event on Hurricane Irma, to address the consequences in the Caribbean region and recovery efforts.
Rodríguez recalled the recent words of President Raúl Castro, when referring to the damage caused by Irma emphasized that the Cuban people are “regenerated with every adversity.”
“As it has always been throughout the Cuban Revolution, all necessary resources will be used to ensure that no one is left defenseless,” he added.
The diplomat took the opportunity “to thank the numerous demonstrations of solidarity and offers of assistance received from numerous governments, parliaments, international organizations and civil society.”
Rodríguez also expressed his sympathy with all the countries and territories affected by the hurricane and ratified Cuba’s willingness to “cooperate within our modest possibilities with the peoples affected by the hurricane.”
The Cuban Foreign Minister urged the international community to mobilize aid to the Caribbean region, prioritizing those states and territories that, due to their small size, population and limited recovery capabilities, will face the greatest challenges.
He noted that phenomena such as Irma demonstrate the importance of confronting climate change, and in particular the need for special and differential treatment of Small Island States, such as the sister nations of Cuba that were seriously affected.
The forum, convened by the President of the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, Miroslav Lajcak, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, aimed to turn the attention of the international community to the damage caused by Irma.
