After 21 days of intense work, the almost 1,000 electricity workers from Guantánamo, Granma, Las Tunas, Camagüey and Sancti Spíritus, together with locals, succeeded in restoring 99.6% of the energy system across Ciego de Ávila.

Diosdado Hernández, director of the Electrical Company in the province, noted that workers recovered 250 kilometers of subtransmission lines, and more than 1,800km of primary and secondary power lines, as well as 1,020 utility posts and 202 transformers.

He added that some isolated homes still remain without electricity, but brigades of local linemen are working to restore power in the next few hours.

(Prensa Latina)

The provinces most affected were Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Sancti Spíritus and Villa Clara. Others such as Guantánamo, Holguín, Las Tunas, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque, and La Habana also suffered damage.

Defense Councils remain activated in the provinces of La Habana, Matanzas, Villa Clara, Cienfuegos, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Las Tunas and Holguín; as well as 57 Municipal Defense Councils in these provinces, with the responsibility of organizing the recovery work.

Based on preliminary data provided by the National Statistics and Information

Office (ONEI), and the reports made daily by the three chief officers of the Strategic Regions to the president of the National Defense Council, we can report the following:

Of the 1,863,589 persons sheltered during the passage of Hurricane Irma,

11,689 continue to receive state support in the form of food and other resources of basic necessity, in Ciego de Ávila, Camagüey, Villa Clara, Holguín, Sancti Spíritus, La Habana, Las Tunas, Matanzas, and Guantánamo.

Reports indicate that 158,554 homes were affected: 14,657 were totally destroyed and 16,646 partially; while 23,560 lost their entire roofs and 103,691 suffered some roof damage.

To respond to this situation, the government decided that the state budget would finance 50% of the cost of construction materials sold to persons facing the total or partial destruction of their homes.

Likewise to be awarded is a 50% discount on current retail prices for consumer goods of basic necessity, for the population affected, among these are mattresses, personal hygiene products, cooking equipment, and linens. In cases of greater need, 100% of the cost of some items will be covered.

Additionally, existing supplies of these resources and materials within the retail network were frozen, and placed at the disposal of provincial Defense Councils to prioritize their distribution to those affected by the hurricane.

In the wake of Hurricane Irma, some 900 stands selling prepared food, at moderate prices, were established in impacted areas. Likewise, neighborhood stores and retail outlets were relocated, to maintain sales of items included in the subsidized family basket, as well as other market items.

Immediately following the extreme weather event, a variety of donations began to arrive, from governments, friendship associations, companies, non-government organizations, universities, and religious institutions, among others.

These demonstrations of solidarity, for which we express gratitude in the name of the Cuban people and government, complement our country’s efforts to repair the damage. Items will be delivered to those affected, through established systems, free of cost, of course.

Distribution of construction materials has also been strengthened, with the use of resources on hand in the country, and the support of local industry. Organizational measures adopted include expanding the network of sales outlets, to provide easy access by those affected, along with the appropriate selection and training of personnel.

The national electricity grid is practically restored, and 99.9% of consumers are now receiving service, despite the fact that damage occurred in almost the entire country: two high tension pylons were completely destroyed; 3,616 poles and 2,176 kilometers of lines downed; 1,379 transformers damaged, along with 1,300 kilometers of service lines and ten sub-stations.

Provinces still facing interruptions in electrical service are Villa Clara, Sancti Spíritus, Ciego de Ávila, and Camagüey, functioning at 98%. Today, September 29, we expect to largely conclude the reestablishment of the country’s primary and secondary circuits.

Worthy of special mention, in the process of reestablishing the country’s electrical system, is the work of mixed brigades, created in the most affected provinces to carry out clean-up, pruning, opening of trenches, and hauling of utility poles.

In the communications sector, it was principally the telephone system which suffered damage, with the interruption of service to 246,707 land lines, and 1,471 data lines. Also damaged were 312 cell phone transmission stations, 27 towers, and 4,764 poles. To date, 95.3% of telephone and data services, radio and television broadcasting, have been reestablished.

Regarding roads and highways, some 537 kilometers were affected. The most serious damage was to causeways to tourist facilities on the keys Santa María and Coco, on which traffic can now move, while work continues to complete their full repair.

Coastal flooding affected a section of the Vía Blanca highway, in Mayabeque, as well as the Havana Bay, Fifth Avenue, and Línea tunnels in the capital, which required continuous work to extract the large volumes of water accumulated within them. The reestablishment of the technical systems of these important Havana routes was achieved within only 13 days, and this coming weekend, traffic will again flow on the Malecón, which was also seriously damaged.

Despite the impact on educational centers, the academic year has been re-initiated across the country, thanks to the repair of a number of schools and the use of alternative sites in the most affected areas.

Of the 980 healthcare institutions damaged, 289 have been repaired, while maintaining the system’s operations and continuing to provide vital services to the population. Additionally, a stable epidemiological situation has been maintained, although prioritized attention to this issue must continue.

In agriculture, the principal impact was concentrated on poultry farming, with

466 sites damaged. Some of these 348 are again ready for operations. Some 95,000 hectares of various crops were hit by Hurricane Irma, of which 35,000 have been recuperated. Noteworthy among these are 20 hectares of plantain. Also developing are new plantings of short cycle crops, sowed with the goal of supplying these products to the population.

The sugar industry reports that 338,000 hectares of cane were damaged, mostly in Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila, Villa Clara, and Matanzas. Some 180,000 have already been recovered and work is underway on the rest, with damages estimated at three to 20%.

Intense work is also underway to repair 20 sugar mills located in northern Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara, — which constitute 40% of national capacity— where damage was primarily to roofing.

In tourism, despite the damages, staff has worked hard to allow all tourist poles in the country to now be offering services, with the exception of those located on keys to the north of Villa Clara and Ciego de Ávila, which will begin operations by the beginning of the high season, with all facilities ready by November 15.

The rains that accompanied Hurricane Irma favored the water situation on the island, which has faced a serious, prolonged drought for over three years. Precipitation accumulated during September thus far has reached 256.4 millimeters, representing 137% of the historic average for this month. Provinces receiving the most rain were Sancti Spíritus, Camagüey, Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara, while those which benefited the least are Artemisa and La Habana, as well as the Isle of Youth Special Municipality.

Reservoirs now hold 6.302 billion cubic meters of water, equivalent to 68.4% of full capacity.

In terms of the distribution network, 99% of aqueducts are in working order. Four systems continue to be interrupted: three in Camagüey and one in Villa Clara, affecting 6,961 persons, who are being supplied water with tank trucks.

Work continues on the preparation of reports estimating the value of damages, under the direction of ONEI. Also underway are studies of the environmental impact of the disaster, led by the Environmental Agency.

The National Defense Council recognizes the outstanding work done by the Strategic Regions and Provincial, Municipal, and Zone Defense Councils. Likewise outstanding was the support and discipline of the population, that in conjunction with mass organizations and other bodies, has worked arduously in the hygienic and sanitary clean up, actions in which the participation of the Ministries of Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Interior was also significant. In order for the country to repair hurricane damage in the shortest period of time possible, it is imperative that we maintain the joint work and spirit of struggle that has always characterized our combative people.

(Granma)

The minister explained that the necessary financial and material resources, equipment, and personnel are available for this purpose.

Marrero insisted that our “commitment to you is not limited to recovering from the effects of the hurricane, but that everything will be better than before and that we will have as a final result an updated and higher quality tourist product.”

He noted that he was speaking with authority, having toured “all the tourist sites along the north coast of the country, and several of them on more than one occasion… Cuban tourism will be operational and restored for this high season.”

The official stressed that power, water, and communications were restored in 100% of the country’s tourist resorts, including the northern Santa María, Coco and Guillermo keys.

He also offered a broad analysis of the effects caused by the adverse weather phenomenon on the local leisure industry, and described these to be generally minimal.

Marrero pointed out that tourism facilities in the territories of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Cienfuegos, Mayabeque, Artemisa, and Pinar del Río, did not suffer any damage, and have been “operating without any difficulties.”

Meanwhile, he described the damage suffered by facilities in Sancti Spíritus, especially in the north, Las Tunas, the northern coast of the province of Holguín, and Camagüey, as minor, while the damages in Havana and Varadero were also minimal.
MAIN DAMAGES

Cuba’s Tourism minister noted that the main damage in this sector was limited to light roofing, false ceilings, broken windows, and green areas.

He added that many trees were blown down across hotel gardens and tourist poles, yet none of these facilities have been left without vegetation.

He noted that the main resorts to have suffered damage in this sense were Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo and Cayo Santa María, located off the north coast of the country, but that these will be easily resolved in time for the upcoming high tourist season.

In this regard, Marrero highlighted that progress is being made in the recovery and clean-up process. Of the 18 hotels located on Cayo Coco and Cayo Guillermo, the latter of which suffered fewer damages, 14 will be fully recovered by November 1, while the local airport will also be fully operational, and in better conditions than before the hurricane struck. The remaining four hotel facilities will be completely restored to reopen their doors by November 15.

The minister explained that all extra-hotel activities in Cayo Coco will be restored and back in operation between October 15 and 20, including its marina, dolphinarium, glass tower, and beach huts.

Likewise, he added that hotels on Cayo Santa María have the necessary personnel, resources, and strategy to be fully operational and providing services to tourists by November 15.

Regarding the causeways to access these keys from the mainland, Marrero specified that provisional forms of access have been established, and that the Cayo Coco causeway will be totally repaired within 15 to 20 days, and that of Cayo Santa María by November 1.

He also informed that the Cayo Las Brujas airport will be ready by October 15, while the international air terminal in the city of Santa Clara resumed operations on September 25, with the arrival of flights from the United States.

Marrero noted that there has been concern expressed by clients regarding the state of beaches along the northern coast of the country following Irma, and stressed in this regard, “I can assure you that the beaches of the north of the country have considerably improved their conditions after the hurricane, it left us with much more sand and better dunes.”

Of the 52 hotels in the country’s main tourist destination of Varadero, all except five are open and providing services. The damages reported here were to 5,411 hotel rooms, of the total 20,790, representing 26%. So far, 374 rooms have been repaired.

The minister also confirmed that the 11th International Nature Tourism Event (TURNAT 2017) scheduled for September 25-30 in the eastern region of the island, will go ahead as planned, as damages there were minimal.

On the subject of tourism supplies, Marrero explained that discussions were held with the country’s food producing agencies and enterprises, and that the supply of affected products was guaranteed through their immediate import from destinations close to Cuba.

“We have the financing and the contracts for imports, and instructions have been given so that there are no problems with supplies to tourism.

“We are going to provide the standards that each hotel offers according to its category, we have personnel dedicated to this and the mechanisms for distribution throughout the country. The necessary decisions have been made to ensure quality.”

Marrero pointed out that the impact of the hurricane resulted in 50% less tourist arrivals for September; but that through September 22, the country had received 3.6 million tourists. This figure, at the same time last year, stood at about three million. As such, tourist arrivals continue to grow by around 24%.

As part of the gathering with the minister, tour operators visited 11 hotels in Varadero to confirm their excellent condition, including the Iberostar Varadero, Iberostar Bellavista, Meliá Las Américas, Sol Palmera, Memories Varadero, Royalton Hicacos, Ocean Vista Azul, and Barceló Arenas.

VERONICA AND JOSÉ’S EXPERIENCE

Verónica Orellana Rodríguez and José Antonio Triviño Bermúdez, from Cádiz, Spain, decided to spend their honeymoon in Cuba, at the five-star Ocean Vista Azul, one of the most popular hotels in Varadero, given its two magnificent beaches, its admirable infinity pool, and an efficient and personalized service.

“We are on honeymoon in Cuba and we are having a great time. It’s the first time we have come and we have enjoyed everything. Cubans are very friendly and always have a smile for us,” Verónica told Granma International while sunbathing and enjoying a warm breeze by the infinity pool.

Meanwhile, José explained that he had really enjoyed touring the cities of Cárdenas and Havana, and that he had not encountered any trace of the hurricane at the hotel. “The beach and the pool are excellent; we intend to return once we can save up a little money.”

A few steps away from Verónica and José, Mexican Jorge Alberto González Camacho, general manager of the Ocean Vista Azul, an all-inclusive hotel offering 470 rooms, inaugurated on December 1st, 2015, is attentive to everything occurring in the installation; attending to clients and welcoming a group of tour operators there to verify the rapid recovery of the island’s main tourist destination.

“Our facility didn’t suffer any damage, we took all the precautions we considered necessary beforehand to protect our areas, and we removed the loungers and umbrellas from the beach. Following the passage of the natural phenomenon, on Sunday, September 10, we were already serving the buffet table by 1:00 pm,” the young executive noted, explaining that the rest of the hotel’s services were restored in less than 48 hours.

He confirmed that the beach was not affected and that in its almost two years of operations, the hotel has seen “impressive, very positive results.”

The Ocean Vista Azul, operated by the Dominican chain H-10, in association with the Cuban hotel group Gaviota, mainly receives clients from Canada, but at the time of GI’s visit also had guests from Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Argentina, Russia, Chile, Colombia, China, France, Peru, and the U.S., among others.

Walter C. Martino, a Swiss national of Spanish origin, general manager of the Be Live Turquesa hotel, a four-star all-inclusive offering 268 rooms on Playa Azul beach, explained that the damages caused by Irma have already been 99% repaired.

“The restaurant will be fully restored within a week,” Martino noted, adding that tourists have been welcomed back to the hotel since September 20, and they expect to be fully occupied by October 4. “We are telling tourists to come to our hotel and to Varadero, which is a unique experience due to its people and the great hotels we have here, it’s well worth it,” he stressed.

Sheila Álvarez, deputy director general of the Be Live Turquesa, stated that the recovery efforts have been intense, with quality work completed in record time. “We worked with a lot of love and commitment, as being able to reopen and resume sales depended on us,” she stressed.

(Granma)

The Venezuelan leader arrived to Cuba accompanied by First Combatant Cilia Flores, to present the island with a donation from the sister and solidary nation, to help support recovery efforts following Hurricane Irma.

Also there to receive Maduro was First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers, compañero Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

(Granma)