The brigade of experts sent by Venezuela continues its tour of eastern Cuba to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Melissa, a solidarity action promoted in conjunction with the ALBA-TCP countries that reaffirms the cooperation and mutual support among the nations of the region in disaster situations.
In statements to the teleSUR multiplatform network, Cuban Minister of Transportation Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila indicated that, since the cyclone’s impact, the country’s government and political leadership structures mobilized immediately to assess the damage.
The official especially thanked Venezuela for its unwavering support and highlighted the assistance provided by allied countries in the regional bloc.
The international response was activated after the severe damage caused by Melissa, with the dispatch of donations and technical assistance from governments such as Venezuela’s and organizations like ALBA-TCP. Hours after the hurricane passed, some twenty experts in road and electrical infrastructure arrived in Cuba.
A key part of this support is the Venezuelan brigade, comprised of high-ranking officials and specialists: Sergio Enrique Rodríguez, Director General of Maintenance Policies and Public Works Execution; José Niño Lozano, head of the Cagua Bridge Workshop at the Ministry of Transportation; and Geraldine Moreno López, head of the Infrastructure Situation Room.
The aid includes not only technical support for infrastructure recovery, but also the shipment of food such as rice, pasta, sugar, and powdered milk, as well as steel sheets, mattresses, bottled water, clothing, footwear, hygiene products, and medicine for the affected communities.
Rodríguez Dávila detailed that the damage encompasses road infrastructure and housing, and explained that brigades of linemen, telecommunications, and transportation personnel were quickly deployed to address the most affected areas.
He also indicated that they are working in coordination with other government agencies to inspect key infrastructure, especially railways.
The minister reported that during the day they toured the section of the railway line in Bayamo, one of the areas most affected by the weather event. This section of the road remains closed and is still under evaluation to determine the urgent actions needed to restore its operation.
He also explained that, even before the hurricane hit, teams from the Ministry of Transportation—led by the First Deputy Minister and the Director of the National Road Center—were already in the eastern region preparing the response to the weather event.
IMAGE CREDIT: Following the hurricane, some twenty Venezuelan experts in road, electrical, and railway infrastructure, among others, arrived in Cuba. Together with Cuban technicians, they are identifying the damage and short-, medium-, and long-term solutions. Photo: Ministry of Transport Cuba
[ SOURCE: teleSUR ]
