By: Randy Alonso Falcón, Thalía Fuentes Puebla, Claudia Fonseca Sosa, Yilena Héctor Rodríguez, Frank Martínez Rivero, Aniela Dumas Rojas
- Díaz-Canel praises the response of the people of the eastern region after Melissa
- INRH: Recovery progresses with priority in Santiago de Cuba
- Cuba receives international aid for recovery after hurricane, highlights Deputy Prime Minister
- Díaz-Canel highlights complex infrastructure situation in southwest Santiago
- Minister of Economy: “No effort or resources of any kind are being spared”
- Beatriz Johnson Urrutia updates on the situation in Santiago de Cuba
- Holguín: More than a thousand people remain in 18 evacuation centers
- Ortiz Barceló: The greatest damage in Granma was concentrated in five municipalities
- De la O Levy updates on the restoration of electrical service
- 642 health institutions affected in Eastern Cuba
The National Defense Council reconvenes to assess the progress of the recovery efforts in the eastern provinces most affected by Hurricane Melissa, with a live broadcast from the program “From the Presidency.”
In the usual Round Table format and with videoconference support, the program is led by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, president of the National Defense Council, along with other members of the council’s leadership at the national and provincial levels.
Díaz-Canel praises the response of the people of the eastern region after Melissa
The First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, began the Round Table broadcast with a general assessment of the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa in the eastern part of the country, one week after the previous broadcast.
During his address, the president highlighted the greatness of the Cuban people, exemplified by the attitude of the zone president and the president of the People’s Council of Los Reinados, who “took the plunge” to meet with the National Defense Council group. “They didn’t come with complaints. They didn’t even come with worries; they came with solutions,” the president emphasized, noting that their proposals, based on experience and popular wisdom, have already begun to receive responses and are being implemented in the order they outlined.
Three Key Ideas on the Hurricane’s Impact
The head of state summarized his initial impressions in three key points. First, he detailed Melissa’s double path across eastern Cuba, whose initial winds and rains ripped off roofs, destroyed homes, and ripped away the few belongings of thousands of families, in addition to damaging crops ready for harvest and essential crops for municipal self-sufficiency. Despite the magnitude of the destruction and the dramatic situations, he emphasized a significant achievement: “To date, we have not had to mourn the loss of any lives.”
He acknowledged the massive evacuation effort, although he noted that there was also resistance and aspects of the coordination that did not function optimally, issues that require further analysis.
The subsequent period of heavy rains increased the devastation; the ability to survive this “monster” was a test passed thanks to organization, unity, and the will of the people.
He also explained that the damage is of two main types: destruction caused by the wind and that caused by flooding, the latter of an unprecedented magnitude for many residents of the affected towns.
Díaz-Canel confirmed that the Defense Councils at all levels, with the leading participation of the people, acted generally with “responsibility, agility, discipline, and—I would say—also with heroism and solidarity.” He pointed out that, while there were exceptions, the prevailing theme was the resilience of the Cuban people. “I believe that if we were to give a grade, a rating, it would be excellent,” he stated.
Extensive damage and the lasting impact of the blockade
The president warned that the damage is extensive and that any preliminary figure falls short of the true extent of the impact. He directly linked the fragility of the housing stock and the population’s already significant pre-existing needs to the US economic blockade, describing the situation as “a snapshot of the human cost of the blockade.” He cited preliminary data reporting more than 70,000 homes affected and more than 4,000 total collapses, not counting the hundreds of thousands of hectares of crops and damaged infrastructure.
The president indicated that now begins “the most difficult stage,” characterized by the understandable desperation of the population in the face of the persistent lack of basic services. He explained that the magnitude of the damage cannot be resolved in a few days, but that work has been underway tirelessly since the very beginning.
He reported that more than 2,000 homes have already been rebuilt by the residents themselves; communication lines have been restored, and in many areas, more than 50% of users now have electricity. He acknowledged that restoring the drinking water supply is more complex due to its dependence on electricity, and that a tremendous effort is underway using water trucks to supply the population.
He highlighted the exemplary operation to protect the population, in which a total of 1,312,000 people were safeguarded. Of these, more than 69,870 were formally evacuated; but he emphasized the strength of the solidarity shown: 933,000 people were sheltered in the homes of family, friends, and neighbors.
Currently, more than 54,000 people remain evacuated, 7,500 of them in state-run shelters, where the president praised the population’s discipline even under overcrowded conditions, such as in a school in Granma designed for 500 students that, at its peak, housed more than 20,000.
The Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Ministry of the Interior: A Tribute to Operation Carlota
Comparing Melissa to previous, more localized hurricanes, Díaz-Canel paid tribute to the rescue efforts of the young members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ministry of the Interior (Minint).
“The rescue efforts have been an unexpected tribute (…) to the 50th anniversary of Operation Carlota,” he stated.
He emphasized that, like their fathers in Angola and their grandfathers in Girón, these young men “shone in the battle to protect life,” which speaks to “the morale, prestige, ethics, and dedication to serving the people of our armed forces.” For this reason, he sent congratulations to commanders, officers, and soldiers from the affected provinces.
INRH: Recovery Progresses Priority in Santiago de Cuba
The president of the National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH), Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez, provided a detailed update on the progress of efforts to restore water service in the areas most affected by Hurricane Melissa.
He pointed out that, while the storm caused damage, the heavy rains proved “very beneficial,” allowing the eastern province to increase the volume of its reservoirs by almost 600 million cubic meters, a favorable condition for the upcoming dry season.
The official explained the progress in each specific area. The province of Las Tunas, for example, has already restored 100% of its water supply. In Santiago de Cuba, the current focus of the efforts, the two main water sources for the provincial capital have been restored, and the third, corresponding to the San Juan wells, which supply good quality groundwater, is expected to be restored by tonight.
Coverage analysis indicates that, thanks to the restored infrastructure, the Aguas Turquino company has been able to reach 22% of its population, while Aguas Santiago, a larger company, has already reached 33%. Although the infrastructure in Santiago is 84.1% complete, the province remains a priority because it has the highest concentration of people without access to the service.
To support the supply, eight 3,000-liter tanks and between 20 and 30 1,000-liter tanks are being allocated to this area, in addition to 10 small generators for buildings that have water in cisterns but lack electricity to pump it.
Encouraging Situation in Guantánamo and Holguín
In Guantánamo, water service has been restored to 87% of its population – with the state report exceeding 93% – and all three planned projects have been completed. Meanwhile, Holguín has 68% of its population with water service, and major projects are underway, such as the repair of the pipeline to the Gibara tank and the construction of a new four-kilometer pipeline to permanently resolve the problem. Additionally, work is progressing intensively on a 400-millimeter pipeline in Moa, with the goal of normalizing service within the next few hours.
To reinforce efforts to guarantee quality water, a purification plant has arrived in Granma province and will be installed on the Cauto River. Three more plants are currently in transit for the Cauto Cristo and Río Cauto areas. These units, along with the arrival of more than 7,000 five-liter containers, will allow for the purification and distribution of drinking water in the communities where the source is still contaminated, a problem affecting several flooded areas.
Among the remaining challenges is the complex situation in the Santiago de Cuba municipality of San Luis, which is scheduled for an imminent inspection visit. There, the pumping station faces access difficulties. While a permanent solution is being developed, water is being supplied via tanker trucks. Simultaneously, a complaint from residents in a peripheral area of El Cobre is being addressed, where a broken pipe—a problem that predated the hurricane—will be repaired.
The National Institute of Hydraulic Resources (INRH) projects that Santiago de Cuba will see a substantial improvement in service by the end of the week.
Cuba Receives International Aid for Hurricane Recovery, Deputy Prime Minister Highlights
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade, Óscar Pérez Oliva Fraga, provided a detailed report this Thursday on the international aid that has begun arriving in Cuba to address the damage caused by the recent hurricane, highlighting the speed of the response and the diversity of the countries and organizations offering assistance.
In his remarks, the high-ranking official emphasized that the mobilization of resources began even before the storm hit. “Days before, given the imminent hurricane, pre-positioned resources from the United Nations system were mobilized,” he explained, including food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
Pérez Oliva Fraga reported that the United Nations system launched a $74 million action plan, of which $11 million has already been activated and received. Of this amount, $4 million was specifically allocated to the logistics of pre-positioning the supplies.
Among the contributors, he highlighted donations from European Union countries such as Germany and Norway, as well as from Canada, emphasizing that contributions continue to materialize.
The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized the “immediate response” of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, which loaded a plane with tons of aid—primarily medicine and food—before the hurricane had even left Cuban territory.
He also detailed the arrivals that same day: two ships and two charter flights carrying direct aid. He especially highlighted the ship from Colombia, which transported 240 tons of aid, consisting of food, medicine, water, and other resources.
While the briefing was underway, he announced the imminent arrival of a flight from India with 20 tons of aid, including a fully equipped mobile hospital capable of treating 300 people, which will be immediately deployed to the affected areas.
In response to speculation, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment was categorical in stating that “the aid does reach the people directly.” He assured that all resources received through international cooperation “are delivered directly to the affected individuals, without bureaucratic mechanisms or the intermediation of any institution.”
He explained that logistical conditions have been established to ensure that goods are processed immediately, bypassing warehouses, and are sent directly to the Provincial, Municipal, and Local Defense Councils for expedited distribution.
Finally, Pérez Oliva Fraga acknowledged the willingness of solidarity organizations worldwide, Cubans residing abroad, and foreign companies operating in the country.
“By showing solidarity with all countries of the world, we have reciprocally received solidarity from numerous countries and individuals everywhere,” he concluded, reflecting a sense of gratitude and international reciprocity.
Díaz-Canel Highlights Complex Infrastructure Situation in Southwest Santiago
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez reported on the ongoing complex situation in the southwest of Santiago de Cuba province, particularly on the Guamá highway, which has sustained severe damage requiring a long-term engineering solution.
During a tour of the area affected by Hurricane Melissa, the president detailed that one of the critical sections is the road leading from El Uvero to Palma Mocha and La Plata. The road has at least four critically damaged points, including a bridge that has completely lost its abutments. Furthermore, there are constant reports of landslides due to the mountainous terrain.
“Our assessment is that neither preliminary nor temporary work can be done there,” the president stated. He explained that, together with specialists from the Ministry of Construction and the Revolutionary Armed Forces, they have decided to use explosives to remove a section of the mountain that has been structurally weakened. This plan, which has already been environmentally assessed by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment (CITMA), would allow the same material removed, along with rocks washed down by the sea, to be used to rebuild the road with a more robust structure.
“This is one of those situations that has no immediate solution and will require many days of work,” Díaz-Canel emphasized.
Despite the magnitude of the damage, the head of state highlighted the strong spirit of solidarity and cooperation observed in the communities visited. He recounted that in towns like El Uvero and El Cobre, the population has mobilized en masse to clear debris, collect fallen vegetation, and erect temporary roofs.
“Everyone was working with a high level of solidarity (…) with a very good atmosphere of participation and a lot of conviction,” he noted. In El Cobre, one of the areas hardest hit by the river flooding, recovery efforts are already underway, including the removal of large volumes of sand.
To accelerate the recovery, especially of the housing stock that suffered extensive damage in the province, more than ten service offices have been activated in Santiago de Cuba. These centers, which operate even on weekends, offer comprehensive assistance, including banking, commercial, and legal services, as well as technical evaluations of homes by specialists.
The on-the-ground work is led by the district delegates, who conduct house-to-house visits to have a precise record of all the damage to families.
The president acknowledged the crucial role of these local government structures and the journalists of Santiago de Cuba in the recovery process, emphasizing the joint effort to erase the traces of the hurricane and restore normalcy to life in eastern Cuba.
Economy Minister: “No effort or resources of any kind are being spared”
The Minister of Economy and Planning, Joaquín Alonso, reported this Thursday that, thanks to the implementation of the decisions of the National Defense Council and constant monitoring, no deaths or injuries were recorded as a result of the recent hurricane that impacted the eastern provinces.
During an assessment in the affected areas, Alonso confirmed that the lives of citizens have been protected, including the evacuation of people after the storm passed. “We have not had to mourn a single death or injury due to the hurricane,” the minister stated.
The preliminary report, subject to updates, quantifies the damage to homes as follows:
Homes with reported damage: 76,689
Total collapses: 4,743 (families who have lost everything).
Partial damage (walls, structures): 10,311
Total roof damage: 12,056
Partial roof damage: 47,753 (of these, 2,190 have already been repaired).
The minister emphasized that these figures are dynamic, as assessment teams still need to access isolated areas and verify reports.
Despite the economic blockade and financial difficulties, Alonso assured that “no effort or resources of any kind are being spared” to support the affected provinces. He highlighted the immediate mobilization of resources, such as roof tiles, which began to be installed from the very first day.
The minister emphasized that the recovery effort has broad support:
Technical brigades: from the National Union of Educators (UNE), the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Construction (MICONS), and the Agroforestry Ministry, among others, are working on restoring services and cleanup.
Donations: International aid, NGOs, and donations from the Cuban people are arriving, channeled through mass organizations to the areas with the greatest needs.
People-government unity: Alonso highlighted the revolutionary fervor and community participation in the reconstruction efforts, symbolized by the population’s trust, including the Young Pioneers who greet the authorities with the Cuban flag.
He said the economic and social body has activated several working groups for an orderly recovery:
Legal: Will apply strong measures against indiscipline and crimes.
Health: Reinforced sanitary controls to prevent arboviruses and epidemics, with special attention to safe water and food preparation.
Food: Focused on the equitable distribution of donations and products from the state’s reserves, as well as the accelerated planting of short-cycle crops.
Industry and Investment: Supporting the recovery of household goods, access roads, and roofs. Processing offices have already been established to expedite procedures.
Insurance and Subsidies: Experts are already assessing the damage in affected areas, and a subsidy policy for the purchase of construction materials has been approved.
INRE (National Institute of Renewable Natural Resources): The State Reserve has responded promptly to all requests for resources.
The minister warned of the need for fire prevention measures due to the high volume of flammable material (wood, dry leaves) that must be used safely for charcoal production or reconstruction.
Finally, Joaquín Alonso emphasized: “Once again, it has been demonstrated that an organized and united people, with the leadership of the Party, is invincible.” She reaffirmed that, with the historical continuity of the revolutionary process, Cuba will continue to advance and overcome adversity.
Beatriz Johnson Urrutia updates on the situation in Santiago de Cuba
The First Secretary of the Party and President of the Provincial Defense Council in Santiago de Cuba, Beatriz Johnson Urrutia, offered a preliminary report on the effects of Hurricane Melissa, which has significantly impacted this province, along with Granma and Guantánamo.
Johnson Urrutia detailed that the most serious damage in Santiago de Cuba is concentrated in:
Housing: A preliminary report indicates 63,103 homes affected, with 5,645 completely destroyed.
Infrastructure: Extensive power and telephone outages, as well as road damage in practically every municipality.
Agriculture: Severe damage to coffee, plantain, and cassava crops, and forestry areas, with more than 10,700 hectares of coffee and 7,840 hectares of other crops affected. Damage to livestock, water treatment plants, and mills has also been reported.
Isolation: Twelve defense zones remain cut off by land, with the municipalities of San Luis, Segundo Frente, Tercer Frente, Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, Guamá, and Santiago de Cuba being the most affected in terms of connectivity.
The provincial leader emphasized that, in parallel with the damage assessment, recovery efforts have already begun:
26,000 tons of cement have been distributed for reconstruction.
Approximately 500 homes with partial damage have been repaired.
In the electricity sector, service has been restored to 28,140 customers (7.84% of the total), with 11 circuits now operational in the capital city.
In landline telephone service, 5,478 customers have had their service restored out of a total of 43,499 affected.
Johnson Urrutia emphasized that these efforts are being carried out jointly by the Ministry of Construction and the Revolutionary Armed Forces.
Among the immediate priorities, the president of the Defense Council highlighted two critical issues for the province:
First, cleanup: This is essential to confront the complex epidemiological situation, characterized by an increase in arboviruses and respiratory illnesses.
Second, the restoration of communications: This is considered vital to expedite the entire recovery phase.
“We must continue to accelerate the entire recovery process to further erase the traces of Melissa’s passage through our province,” Johnson Urrutia stated.
Holguín: More than a thousand people remain in 18 evacuation centers
The president of the Holguín Provincial Defense Council, Joel Queipo Ruiz, reported that defense councils remain activated in the province and specified that 299,000 people have been protected, 247,182 of whom were moved to homes and the rest to state-run shelters.
He explained that more than a thousand people remain in 18 evacuation centers located in four municipalities, while another 12,000 are staying with family and friends.
Queipo Ruiz noted that the province’s reservoirs received 217 million cubic meters of water, 198 million of which fell in just eight hours, bringing the total capacity of the dams to 94.5 percent.
“Thirty-three water truck loading stations and 131 water pumping stations have been restored; and 68 percent of the affected population is now receiving service through the network,” he added.
He also mentioned that in Sagua de Tánamo, approximately 10,000 people remain without direct water service, and their supply is being guaranteed through various means.
Regarding electricity service, 127 circuits have been restored, with 77 still pending, representing 65 percent of customers with electricity.
“We have made progress of 10 to 20 percent daily; a photovoltaic solar park is being connected, and several energy islands are operational,” he specified.
The leader also highlighted the restoration of radio base stations and fiber optic cables, as well as 91 educational institutions, with 997 schools already operating and 298 pending reconnection.
“More than 17,000 cubic meters of solid waste have been collected,” he reported, adding that 14,630 homes have been affected so far. Regarding transportation, “29 intercity routes have been restored, and the Holguín-Havana route is now operational,” he pointed out.
Concerning the agricultural sector, he indicated that some 35,987 hectares were affected.
He also reported the recovery of 10 bakeries and 41 bodegas (small grocery stores), and the progressive rehabilitation of agricultural areas and urban gardens.
“We have received solidarity from the rest of the country, and the unaffected population has joined in the cleanup and support efforts. We are committed to leaving behind a more beautiful city, through the joint action of everyone,” Queipo Ruiz stated.
Ortiz Barceló: The worst damage in Granma was concentrated in five municipalities
For her part, the president of the Granma Provincial Defense Council, Yudelkis Ortiz Barceló, explained that the worst damage was concentrated in five municipalities, especially Cauto Cristo and Río Cauto, which “remain in the alert phase.”
She detailed that more than 5,000 people continue to be sheltered in state-run centers, and that during the most critical moments, more than 186,000 citizens sought refuge in centers and the homes of relatives, and that “some residents of Granma are currently being sheltered in the province of Las Tunas.”
Ortiz Barceló reported that the damage and needs assessment committees continue working on evaluating the damage and that “all administrative offices are open to provide assistance to the public.”
“Today we are launching ten commissions made up of specialists from various fields who will multiply efforts. Río Cauto is the epicenter of the greatest complexities, and requires special attention,” he noted.
In the electrical system, the province has restored 64% of its service, with 50 primary circuits still out of service. “We have prioritized vital health services and water pumping,” she stated.
Regarding communications, she reported that all mobile phone service has been restored and that the fixed-line network has reached over 70% restoration.
In agriculture, 47,833 hectares of crops were damaged, although “work is underway to cover seeds and recover as much as possible of short-cycle crops.”
The president of the Granma Defense Council added that donations continue to arrive and “there is a recovery effort underway throughout the province.”
She also noted that more than 200 schools have resumed classes, while mental health teams are working intensively in communities and shelters.
Regarding public order, she specified that five robberies with force have been detected, and warned that “we will be relentless with anyone who commits a crime of this nature.”
“These continue to be difficult times for a large part of the population of Granma, but it is an opportunity to continue working for the people,” said Ortiz Barceló, who expressed her gratitude for the expressions of affection and solidarity received.
De la O Levy updates on the restoration of electrical service
The Minister of Energy and Mines, Vicente de la O Levy, reported that the electrical system outages have affected all networks, although significant progress is being made in the recovery process.
He specified that Las Tunas has reached 97.8% service restoration, while in Holguín the recovery rate is 61%.
De la O Levy highlighted the progress in Granma, which has reached 64% recovery, and described the work of the provinces of Granma and Guantánamo with the distributed generation islands as “highly commendable.”
He added that the priority at this time is to connect Bayamo to the 110-kilovolt line to strengthen the system’s stability.
Regarding Guantánamo, he explained that it is not yet connected to the National Electric System, but “the priority is to achieve the connection sometime tomorrow.”
With respect to Santiago de Cuba, the Minister emphasized that it is the most complex province, due to “the numerous disruptions to the distribution lines and in the municipalities.” He reported that Guamá remains cut off by road, but “a distributed generation unit has been transported there and is already being started up, in order to provide electricity to the population more quickly.”
The minister specified that, as work progresses in the other provinces, the brigades will concentrate in Santiago de Cuba, where “a comprehensive recovery strategy is underway that should achieve a high percentage of restoration by next week.”
He emphasized that emergency generators have remained operational in all provinces, with a guaranteed fuel supply.
Finally, Vicente de la O Levy expressed his gratitude for the efforts of the electrical and line workers, as well as the support received from various agencies and the public.
“There is still much work to be done, but the commitment and dedication of our workers are admirable,” he stressed.
642 health facilities affected in eastern Cuba
Dr. Tania Margarita Cruz Hernández, First Deputy Minister of Health, began her remarks by acknowledging the efforts of the National Health System, which has activated its health subgroup with “excellent communication” with all the General Directorates across the country.
The initial situation is complex, with 642 health facilities affected in the eastern provinces, Santiago de Cuba (231) and Granma (144) being the hardest hit. However, the Deputy Minister highlighted that, thanks to recovery efforts, 4% of these facilities have already been restored and are providing services to the population.
To guarantee medical care, especially in hard-to-reach areas, 33 medical-surgical brigades remain deployed in several eastern provinces. The health official emphasized that there is “a guarantee of medical care” with “differentiated attention for infants, children under one year old, and the elderly” in the evacuation centers.
Dr. Cruz Hernández explained that the fundamental pillar of the health strategy is to prevent disease outbreaks. To this end, vector control teams and hygiene and epidemiology teams have been activated with the aim of controlling water quality and food preparation, in order to prevent “acute diarrheal diseases”
In addition, a surveillance system has been established with doctors and nurses conducting daily screenings and fever checks. As a critical part of these efforts, sodium hypochlorite is being distributed with a multi-day supply for the eastern provinces through pharmacies and local production centers.
The actions also include fumigation and targeted adulticide treatment in high-risk areas and evacuation centers, as well as support from four centrally located brigades composed of psychologists, child psychiatrists, and adult psychiatrists to provide psychological care to those affected. Simultaneously, teams of biomedical technicians are working to repair damaged equipment vital for programs such as maternal and child health and hemodialysis.
For her part, the Minister of Education, Naima Ariatne Trujillo Barreto, confirmed the resumption of the school year, which is being carried out with “the same urgency and the same gradual approach as we had previously stated.” The situation is varied, with a preliminary report of 2,117 affected educational institutions. However, Minister Trujillo assured that “more than 50% have already recovered thanks to everyone’s efforts.”
The strategy for reopening is based on flexibility and local solutions. “Communication must be at the council and local level,” she explained, emphasizing that decisions depend on whether the schools are being used as shelters or for support teams. Where it has not been possible to use schools, education has continued in “family homes,” and 23 teachers have set up “classrooms in their own homes.”
The minister emphasized that the most complex situation is in Santiago de Cuba, where a gradual reopening will be evaluated starting Monday, while in Granma, 219 institutions in four municipalities have already reopened, prioritizing preschools and primary schools.
To reassure families, the Minister of Education reported that “the school year still has at least three weeks of reserve for all educational levels,” a margin that has not yet been exhausted. She concluded her remarks by acknowledging the resilience and selflessness shown by the students and educational communities during this difficult situation.
The program concluded with a reflection that addressed external criticisms labeling Cuba a “failed state.” Miguel Díaz-Canel argued that the response to the hurricane demonstrates the opposite, emphasizing the strength of the “social fabric” and the “power of the people.”
In his words, “what the haters don’t understand is that when that phrase is used… they forget that in Cuba, the State is all of us.” The conclusion reaffirmed the commitment to abandon no one and evoked Fidel Castro’s legacy with the slogan “I am Fidel,” used to symbolize individual responsibility in defending the Revolution and national unity in the face of adversity.
[SOURCE: CUBA DEBATE]
