On the evening of Sunday, January 27, residents of the municipalities of Diez de Octubre, Regla, San Miguel del Padrón, Guanabacoa and part of Havana del Este experienced a phenomenon like no other, which left six dead and injured over 190, while 5,000 suffered damages and substantial material losses.

The natural disaster set another storm in action, unleashing a tornado of solidarity able to overcome all the damage caused.

THE FIRST RESPONSE

The same path followed by the tornado was followed by brigades of communications, construction and electrical workers, municipal brigades and the people as a whole. All with the purpose of recovering, in the shortest time possible, a large part of the material losses.

DWELLINGS

-1,068 total losses

-1,000 partial damage

After the tornado, activated were all mechanisms for technical assessment of the damages and points for the sale of construction materials, including for those with less income, who received subsidies and access to credit.

Additionally, steps were taken to speed up the paperwork related to this process, for all those who had suffered damages and material losses.

From the first moment, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, ministers, and the highest authorities of the Party and government in Havana, were mobilized, working side by side with the people and, in only five months, repaired 95% percent of the damage.

By the end of December 2019, 10,280 homes, had been built, surpassing original plans for 6,166.

HEALTHCARE

-19 damaged facilities

-1 Maternity Hospital (Diez de Octubre)

-4 polyclinics

-2 homes for the elderly

-10 community doctors and nurses offices

-1 community pharmacy

-1 office for vector control in the municipality of Regla

A total of 196 patients were inside the Diez de Octubre maternity hospital the moment the tornado struck; 17 children were in the Neonatology Ward, with two in critical condition. Not one of these infants suffered any type of injury.

Destroyed were ninety percent of the hospital’s windows, roofing, and plumbing; and 80% of 74 water tanks.

Recovery tasks were assumed by the Blas Roca and the Julio Antonio Mella construction brigades and in less than a month, the hospital reopened, offering 10% of its services.

As solid evidence of the priority the state gives to healthcare and authorities’ determination to recover in the shortest time possible, all Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) facilities damaged by the tornado were ready to offer their services to all the population by March 19.

ELECTRICITY

-834,539 households were left without electricity services

-Within only five days, electrical service wasrestored in all affected municipalities, as follows: Diez de Octubre,98 %; Regla, 95 %; and Guanabacoa, 99 %.

COMMUNICATIONS AFFECTED

-15,750 telephone lines

-27 cell phone radiobases

-23 wifi hotspots

-9 integral service centers

In the case of communications, the 93-meter tower of El Sapo Radio and Medium Wave Broadcasting Center that broadcasts the signal of Coco and Radio Rebelde stations, was downed by the powerful winds, but service was reestablished through other facilities.

By April 1, the tower was back in operation. The current tower is shorter, 63 meters, but meets broadcasting needs and was designed to resist strong winds.

EDUCATION

-78 damaged facilities

The Alfredo Aguayo school, located in the Diez de Octubre of Santos Suárez, was one of the most damaged by the tornado, as almost all of its carpentry was affected.

During the repair works, the theater was restored, along with sports areas and computer labs. These works returned the school to its heritage condition and enrollment was increased to 800 students.

Brigades from the Mayabeque’s comprehensive construction enterprise also participated in the removal of debris from the roof of the Andrés Luján Polytechnic School, in the municipality of San Miguel del Padrón.

“All these issues were resolved in a short period of time thanks to the solidarity and the selfless support of everybody, from the top leadership to the grassroots,” said Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in the capital, during the Havana provincial commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the assaults on the Moncada and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes garrisons.

(Sources: Habana 500 government website, Tribuna de La Habana and Granma newspapers)

Directed fundamentally toward socio-economic development, as well as strengthening the city’s identity and residents’ knowledge of its history, the program began in 2017. Since then a number of projects have been launched to address problems which have accumulated over the years in Havana’s neighborhoods.

These and other issues were reviewed in a meeting led by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, with the Governmental Havana Support Group, created in 2012 by the Council of Ministers, and currently chaired by Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, a Council of State vice president and minister of Economy and Planning.

Reynaldo García Zapata, president of the Havana Provincial Assembly of People’s Power, presented a summary of the tasks the Group is currently undertaking, among which he emphasized the importing of replacement parts for elevators and garbage trucks; replacement of equipment and maintenance in children’s parks; the installation of LED street lighting; and the incorporation of more modern equipment to repair streets.

Addressing the garbage collection issue, García Zapata reported that the city needs around 12,000 containers, of which 7,000 are being domestically produced, and the process of importing the rest is underway, he said, which should alleviate this perennial problem.

Later in his report, García described in detail plans for the anniversary celebration, in which neighborhoods will participate actively, adding that the event is not exclusively for residents, since Havana is the capital of all Cubans.

Mercedes López Acea, first secretary of the Party Provincial Committee, commented that works being executed are directed toward resolving issues of daily importance to the people, who have joined in voluntary work to help complete projects.
She emphasized the participation of the city’s university students, who have made a significant contribution.
President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez noted that the effort now taking shape was prioritized by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, who insisted on the creation of the government plan to support the capital, since resolving its problems require the help of all central state administration bodies.

He indicated that this collaboration must become regular, not only because of the upcoming anniversary, and called on all present to identify the tasks which most require citizen participation, so they can be more involved in the revitalization of the city.
We have good reason to be motivated, he concluded, to work for Havana’s 500thanniversary.

(Granma)

I have witnessed a great deal of solidarity, effort, and hard work everywhere to overcome adversity, stated Pardo Guerra, also a decorated Hero of the Republic of Cuba, who visited several of the country’s provinces to review progress made to date in recovery efforts, identify the most successful experiences and extend them to the worst affected areas.

I see a lot of confidence in the people that lost all, or part of their homes, which goes to show their confidence in the Revolution and its leadership, and confirmation of the idea expressed by Cuban President, Army General Raúl Castro, that no one will be abandoned to their fate, stated Pardo Guerra.

Despite what has been achieved thus far, more work can be done to speed up progress, something that will require greater organization to ensure that those affected receive available resources in a fast and timely manner, stated Pardo Guerra, also a member of the Party Political Bureau, before highlighting the work of residents from Villa Clara who, to date, have managed to repair 22,912 – or 44.4% – of the total number of homes that were completely destroyed by the hurricane.

What is more, in the case of the Aguada de Moya People’s Council, home to the worst affected cooperatives and campesinos in Villa Clara, the majority of homes that were destroyed following Hurricane Irma have been rebuilt thanks to the combined efforts of those affected, various institutions, and the decisive support of the country’s leadership, which provided the necessary resources, according to information provided during a ceremony presided by Julio Lima Corzo, first secretary of the Party Provincial Committee, during which 88 new homes were unveiled.

(Granma)

The President of the National Defense Council was accompanied by Army Corps General Ramón Espinosa Martín, deputy minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, who is currently based in the most affected areas together with other national and local leaders, overseeing the measures implemented in the recovery stage.

Denny Legrá Azahares, president of the Guantánamo Provincial Defense Council, informed the Army General of the major damages caused and the actions currently underway.

He noted that it is estimated that over 90% of homes in the area were severely damaged, as well as the majority of state facilities. Vital services for the population, such as communications, electricity and water supply, were also severely affected.

During the meeting, the negative impact of the atmospheric phenomenon on access routes to this municipality and on agriculture, mainly coffee plantations (Maisí is the largest coffee producer in the country), were also discussed.

Given this situation, Raúl emphasized the urgency of seeking alternatives to ensure the people are provided with necessary resources. Likewise, he stressed the importance of recording all the experience gained from the passage of this weather event, to be used in future scenarios.

The Army General participated in the meeting during which Lina Pedraza Rodríguez, minister of Finances and Prices, informed the presidents of the eight people’s councils in this municipality on how to implement the sale of construction materials to those whose homes had been affected. Photo: Estudio Revolución
The President of the National Defense Council also participated in the meeting which took place at the municipal Party headquarters, where Lina Pedraza Rodríguez, minister of Finances and Prices, informed the presidents of the eight people’s councils in this municipality on how to implement the decision of the revolutionary government as regards the sale of construction materials to those whose homes had been affected.

“You received a heavy blow, but we will recover,” Raúl assured as he shook hands and received embraces. Meanwhile, the people expressed their thanks over and over again to Fidel and Raúl himself for their constant support.

“This visit strengthens us, it encourages us to keep going,” stated Erodis Fuente López, who offered his home to shelter almost 40 people.

“Trust in us that we will succeed! The most important thing is that we are alive! Send our greetings to the Comandante! Take care!” These some of the messages expressed by the population as Raúl toured the area. Meanwhile, the Cuban President thanked those gathered for their continued resistance and called on them to return to their normal daily activities as soon as possible, in particular the resumption of classes, which he reiterated could take place in any adequate space.

Again there were scenes of emotion and hope as those gathered offered and received advice, anecdotes, and took photos alongside their President.

“I congratulate you because you are courageous, composed and very revolutionary. I’m proud of Cuban women and men across the country, but above all of you, because this has been a very tough test,” Raúl stated in response to the excited cheers of residents.

(Granma)