Through his official Twitter account, the Foreign Minister extended his condolences to the relatives and friends of the deceased.

According to German authorities, so far there are 19 dead and 70 people missing due to the rains and floods that hit the western part of the country.

In the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, six houses collapsed and 25 suffered partial collapses, while in some areas inhabitants await air rescue.

(Taken from Prensa Latina)

These have been days of hard work and solidarity, he said, of respect for citizens affected, who are also our compatriots and family. This has been a learning process. We have experienced moving life stories, ones that amaze, about what the people can accomplish when we organize ourselves.

Over the days following the tornado, Díaz-Canel noted, “We have been able to appreciate close-up the urgent needs of the affected population. We have called on all functionaries to be understanding of those affected and we have asked families to have patience.”

With regards to assistance provided, he explained, that in the past 14 days, Processing Offices have received 9,000 visits by those seeking support in repairing tornado-damage, while 7,000 damages have been recorded. This means that for every case, more than one member of an affected family has sought help, or some have made more than one visit.

Paperwork for more than 5,700 cases has been concluded, and more than 3,600 persons have materials in hand to begin repairs, representing more than 50% of those affected. And some 900 cases have been fully resolved.

At this rate, the President said, we can say that, before the end of the year, we will have the majority of the cases resolved or in the process, “What’s most important is to recover and emerge from this stronger.”

The Cuban leader recalled the Comandante en Jefe’s ideas regarding the effort that must be made when faced with situations like this, and emphasized that work is advancing guided by these principles, and that there had been no delay in allocating the principal resources needed.

He stressed that, from the beginning, priorities were identified. Quantifiable evaluations were conducted of damage and repairs needed, and work began with simpler tasks, moving gradually to the more complex.

Photo: Estudios Revolución
He added that this was possible because of two fundamental advantages of our system. First, despite our limitations, the economy leaves no one without protection, and the second is that the Cuban people is one of the world’s most solidary. He emphasized that the population has unique, practical experience in voluntary work and solidarity efforts, and that the values of self-sacrifice and determination are something natural here.

“With the current context in the capital, the watchwords ‘The best for Havana’ is no longer a slogan, but a reality, and our media has witnessed the generosity that this people displays with every donation. We all hold this value in our memories,” he insisted.

“The most challenging moments are coming now,” he cautioned, recalling that alongside ministers, provincial functionaries, and officials are neighborhood delegates to Municipal People’s Power Assemblies, who were the first to arrive when the tornado hit. They are in charge of this whole phase of recovery that will continue over the next few months.

“Today, we want to listen to those at the grassroots level, the municipal level, the anonymous heroes.”

Before the program’s conclusion, the President stated, “We are making Cuba all together. When you see the demonstrations of dedication and effort, you feel even more proud to be Cuban. This is the life of Cuba in Revolution.”

“This tragedy has strengthened the collective leadership of our country. Our relations with those affected are closer, allowing us to interact directly with the problems.

“This phenomenon occurred at a tense moment for our country, amidst threats and the tightening of the economic blockade imposed by the United States; within a context of talk about a military intervention in a country that is our friend: Venezuela. At a time when our people are about to approve a new Constitution of the Republic.”

Nothing will detain our forward march, he insisted, we will continue the recovery, and we will continue to be a world reference in the way we care for our people, he said.

“The enemy is perturbed, because our victories generate victories. It bothers many of them that there is unity between the country’s authorities and the people. Over these days, we have interacted amidst embraces and understanding. There are complaints, of course, but also comprehension of the situation.

“Work continues on organization, on providing answers to the people. Our experiences these days have been uplifting. For these reasons and others, on February 24, I will vote Yes.”

WE WILL COME OUT AHEAD

Whoever travels along Luyanó Avenue at night, does so now thanks to LED light technology, reported Reynaldo García Zapata, president of the Havana Provincial Assembly of People’s Power.

He also highlighted that the willingness of state agencies to make underutilized buildings available to tornado victims, and offer their staff’s support, must be recognized.

Likewise, “We must give special recognition to the people for their conduct and participation in the recovery process. This shows that we can move forward,” he noted.

García stated that the coordinated work of authorities at the municipal and provincial levels has had a positive impact on the recovery, emphasizing the daily functioning of the Provincial and Municipal Defense Councils, with the regular participation of key leaders.

The deployment in neighborhoods of technicians, People’s Power delegates, and activists from mass organizations has been critical, he said, in the search for solutions.

HOUSING DAMAGE

7,872 TOTAL CASES:

—730 total collapses

—931 partial collapses

—3,152 Type 1 damage

Some 6,239 technical reports have been filed, while 80%, that is 5,497 cases are ready. A total of 3,696 households have materials needed to complete repairs. Reports indicate that 952 cases, including 814 with Type 1 damage, have been resolved.

García reported that forces from the Water Resources Institute and Ministry of Construction have been involved in this work.

There are 2,543 households which have not yet purchased assigned materials, but that these are available at sales points

He also reported on the work of state agencies in identifying underutilized facilities that can be remodeled as housing, saying that locales to provide 240 dwellings have been found.

He likewise reported that damage has been reported at 190 institutions, including 78 schools, of which 48 have been repaired, along with 13 public health facilities. Some 31 industrial facilities suffered damage, 74% of which have been repaired.

In terms of telephone service, he said that the network has been restored, while infrastructure has been improved and services expanded. In the neighborhoods of Tamarindo, Chibás, and Armada, capacity has been increased.

SOLIDARITY WITH – AND FROM – THE CLASSROOM

Yoania Falcón, provincial director of Education in Havana, reported that across the city 78 schools, with a total enrollment of 17,938 students, were affected. These students were temporarily placed in 11 other schools within 72 hours, allowing them to continue their studies without interruption following the tornado.

Residences housing 303 teachers in the capital were also damaged, and all were rapidly repaired, she said.

Among the six tornado-related deaths, one was a teacher at Guillermón Moncada Elementary School in the municipality of Diez de Octubre. Family members have been offered extensive support, and expressed their gratitude to the country, despite the pain, she said.

Likewise, Danhiz Díaz Pereira, president of the Federation of University Students (FEU) at José Antonio Echeverría Technological University, reported that some 2,313 students from the school have participated in recovery efforts in affected areas.

Students were accompanied by professors and other university staff members, to offer help in affected neighborhoods, as determined in conjunction with municipal governments.

He emphasized that they have received thanks from fellow students in other parts of the country, and that their professors have said they were proud of students taking up pencils at school, torches during the José Martí march, and shovels in the recovery.

She added that, even as the academic years continues, they will keep working. “All the help that was provided shows that we are continuity.”

WORKING WITH SENSITIVITY

Meisi Bolaños Weiss, Minister of Finance and Prices, stressed the importance of good organization, and working with sensitivity, since not all offices have the capacity to take on such a workload.

Another lesson learned is that facilities must be set up to serve the population and address any problem that may come up.

Regarding the computer application developed by Geocuba, she stated that it has been very valuable, since technical reports are being computerized. This is very important, she said, because it allows us to verify the address where damage occurred and its magnitude, which facilitates paperwork. Betsy Díaz Velázquez, minister of Domestic Trade, reported on plans to ensure that repairs on 30 retail stores leave them in better condition than before the tornado.

“We know that there are concerns at sales points, because purchases are suspended when trucks arrive with more merchandise. So we’re trying to arrange a second door (for deliveries).”

On the other hand, she added that more than 850 water tanks are being moved from the center of the country to the city. We are taking into account the amount of water each household needs. Although there are families who want tanks of more than a thousand liters, we ask for their understanding, water must be used rationally. If there are surplus tanks after the recovery period, they will go on sale to the population.

Díaz highlighted the work of transportation providers and suppliers; and daily efforts to perfect the work, such as, for example, increasing the number of cash registers. Today materials are being supplied to more than 200 people a day at 16 sales points, she said.

Orders have been given to review files on a case by case basis, to close those that can be resolved quickly.

The goal is to have all those whose files are complete purchase materials before the end of February, she said. The minister also addressed care being provided 1,045 people staying in shelters and arrangements made to guarantee their food.

WALKING THE STREETS

Alberto Osorio, delegate to the Luyanó People’s Council, explained that in this community, work has advanced in resolving housing damage.

Since the tornado, the work has not stopped, he said. National authorities have not left any families on their own, he said, adding that the mood is very positive.

In our People’s Council, it has become normal to see authorities on the streets, as if they were neighbors, he said.

At present, 69 new construction projects are being undertaken, in order to provide solutions to the damage to seven complexes and 16 private houses in the area.

People are very happy with this.

Others are advancing in the solution of their problems, through their own efforts.

We still have deficiencies, because we have focused our efforts on the most severe damage left by the tornado. I think we should continue working to reach all victims, although the damage they experienced may be minor, he commented.

“We are a very united People’s Council. We never felt alone.”

Regarding the municipality of Guanabacoa, Annia Lemus Prieto, president of the Municipal Assembly of People’s Power, reported that in the area the 1,130 damages which occurred in four neighborhoods have been quantified.

She stressed that, thus far, 950 households have been assigned and purchased material resources and that solutions have been found to deal with dwellings totally destroyed. In the case of homes that are being built by families themselves, owners are provided help from various officials and entities.

First Party Secretary in La Lisa, José Felipe Interián Rodríguez, added that this municipality’s government and residents have joined the clean-up since dawn on the 28th.

There has been extraordinary participation in the recovery by all workers, many very young, he said, including FEU members who filled trucks with rubble with incredible speed.

BRICKS, CEMENT, SAND… AND DETERMINATION

Norberto Pérez Morales, vice president of the Ministry of Construction’s Construction Enterprise Group, highlighted the mobilization of all forces, and workers’ willingness to contribute, so that those affected have a dignified, beautiful home.

He added that housing was considered the fundamental challenge to be addressed. Thus, from the first moment, they reported to affected areas, where assessments were made to determine if re-construction could take place at the same site; the family’s commitment was confirmed; and builders were identified. At the same time, areas were selected for new housing complex sites.

“Today we are concluding 534 homes, more than 75% of the total losses are under construction and work will begin in the next few hours on the rest,” he said.

In February more than a hundred homes will be delivered and the first will be this week. The execution timeline projects concluding the majority in the first half of the year, he said.

EXPEDITED HELP

Rodrigo Malmierca, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex), explained the procedure being followed for the reception and distribution of donations. He recalled that the Cuban government has a clear policy regarding international aid, which is to accept it and channel its distribution.

He highlighted, in particular, the help of Venezuela, which despite suffering an economic war waged by the United States, was among the first to offer support.

Help comes in two forms he said: material and monetary. For the monetary, two accounts were created, both administered by the Havana provincial government.

Embassies abroad have also contributed to this task.

The fundamental issue with the donations, he said, is to facilitate their arrival to the country. Hence, the goods are not subject to tariffs, entering without customs charges, and are distributed free of charge to the population, by the relevant agency.

He emphasized that all donations are distributed free of charge, rejecting comments made in bad faith, early on, that obstacles were being created to the arrival of aid. In reality, the government, like the people, was intent upon advancing the recovery rapidly, with a spirit of solidarity. Whoever tries to distort this, is lying, he concluded.

THE HUMANISM OF THE REVOLUTION

Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, first secretary of the Provincial Party Committee in Havana, said that the common denominator evident in the recovery is unity.

He added that the Revolution is humanistic and participatory – made with, for, and by the humble – and this has been reflected over these days.

Torres added that this fusion of people, leaders, and students, is what has made it possible to see the full scope of the recovery process, saying, “It is important to reaffirm that we have identified solutions for 100% of the houses that were totally destroyed.”

The Party first secretary highlighted the role of finance specialists, who have guaranteed that the funds are available and that victims are purchasing the resources they need. He also recognized the work of the press, the Revolutionary Armed Forces, and the Ministry of the Interior.

He spoke about an experience in Regla, where someone commented, “The tornado surprised me, but not the Revolution, because the Revolution has shown the people that no one is ever left abandoned.”

He said that the 500th anniversary celebration will go on in Havana, and thanked Army General Raúl Castro, the Party, the President, and the Council of Ministers, for their support and vigilance, at this time of commitment, pride and victory.

(Granma)

The municipalities of Regla and Guanabacoa suffered the most damage during the severe storms that formed ahead of a cold front which crossed the provinces of Pinar del Río, Mayabeque, and La Habana.

“We are touring areas affected by the extreme weather phenomenon in Regla. The damages are severe; at this moment we lament the loss of three human lives, and 172 injured are being assisted. Several brigades are already working on the recovery,” Díaz-Canel stated.

According to preliminary data cited by authorities in the capital, on the Cuban television program Buenos Días, the deceased and injured were victims of partial or total collapses of their homes, falling trees, and other events related to the storm.

According to Prensa Latina, a tour of the city’s streets revealed many fallen trees and damage to buildings, partial interruption of electrical service, and closed streets, including the Malecón, due to high waves.

President Díaz-Canel reported on Twitter that a Council of Ministers meeting was held to evaluate the situation and adopt measures to move forward in the recovery from the severe damage left by wind, rain, and a tornado last night.

(Granma)

Over the next few hours, ahead of this front, a line of thunderstorms could form, and as these systems move east, the western portion of the country will be affected, tonight and into the dawn hours.”

Cubans, accustomed to such advisories were not alarmed, not suspecting the magnitude of the events to come after 8:00pm.

Residents were shaken by the tempestuous roar of the wind, one gust after another, increasingly strong. Telephone calls began to spread the news: A tornado had hit Luyanó; there was a locally severe storm in Cerro; and cars were underwater in flooded streets. The city was left in the dark night without stars…

Amidst the uncertainty, with sirens adding tension, Granma shares a few images of the painful view to which Havana awakens.

Several teams of reporters are on the streets, at this time, seeking more concrete information.

Since then, however, significant progress has been made in recovery efforts, primarily within the tourist sector.

Key to this process has been Cuba’s national insurance industry, with over 50 years experience and represented by Seguros Internacionales de Cuba, S.A (Esicuba) and Seguros Nacionales (Esen).

With major clients across the sector, Esicuba was responsible for supporting recovery efforts on this occasion, according to José Carlos Meijides Alfonso, director general of the entity in an interview with Prensa Latina.

He added that in the 15 days following Irma, Esicuba issued pay outs of 33 million CUC to tourist entities in order to help recovery efforts and ensure that facilities were promptly reopened.

“This is Esicuba’s biggest loss in its 55-year history. It came out of the entity’s over 290 million CUC business budget. However, it was a resource the company had available for a moment such as this. All tourist facilities had up-to-date policies, which meant we were able to make important payments right away,” noted Eliana Domínguez Oropesa, director of Development and Marketing, speaking with Granma International.

Previous experience in post-disaster recovery meant that Esicuba was able to respond rapidly and effectively. According to Eliana Domínguez, staff, together with inspectors and auditors from the International Inspection Agency, Claims and other related Services enterprises (Intermar S.A), and Customs Services Agency (Adesa S.A), visited the affected site to assess the level of damage and advise clients on how to proceed.

Even though Esicuba has reimbursed many of its clients following Irma, there remains much to be done.

“It’s an ongoing process. To date, not all establishments have received payments because these are large sums of money we are talking about. However, we have issued payments to clients in accordance with demand and to support the entire recovery process,” stated Domínguez.

Seguros Internacionales de Cuba S.A had made payments to the majority of its clients by the end of 2017, a process which continues through 2018.

REINSURING INSURANCE

Providing insurance to any business operating in Cuba means being able to guarantee large sums of money. We are talking about millions of pesos, too much for even Esicuba to take on, which is why it also takes out insurance.

“Reinsurance is nothing more than insurer’s insurance. In this way the risk is shared. It is a global practice undertaken by all insurance companies. These are relationships between the reinsurer and insurance companies, a joint activity between all those involved in the business so that the risk is shared and we are not left without support in the face of an eventuality.

“Insurance is a global business. Esicuba currently deals with reinsurers based in London and continental Europe. With regard to insurance in Cuba, the only area where care must be taken is regarding the economic, commercial, and financial blockade of Cuba. There can be strictly no U.S. capital involved. This generally doesn’t occur, because everyone is aware of the implications. All the same, Cuba is very careful in this regard,” explained Eliana Domínguez Oropesa, Esicuba director of Development and Marketing.

INSURANCE IN CUBA

Insurance doesn’t depend of the kind of activity being undertaken but on risk factors and the probability of loss. At an enterprise level, ensuring the continuity of a project, its functioning, autonomy, and efficiency depends in large part on insurance, by ensuring that the cost of repairing, recuperating, or solving a specific problem does not come out of the client’s growth capital.

“Insurance provides you with this additional capital. You purchase a policy and are protected against loss, so you don’t have to use your money intended for productive activity. Insurance allows for continuity and swift recovery and an extra injection of capital for this activity,” stated Eliana Domínguez.

In Cuba, insurance works in the same way as it does anywhere else in the world, the only difference being that Esicuba understands, recognizes, and is prepared for the Cuban economy.

Insurance entities on the island work to international standards and deal with insurance and reinsurance companies worldwide.

“The insurance market in Cuba, and the way it was organized, underwent a radical change after the triumph of the Revolution. Economic transformations and the development of social programs were met with strong opposition from the insurance sector. A large number of owners and executives of the over 170 insurance companies that existed on the island, left the country. Around 50 were nationalized, others closed down or remained inactive, and many pulled out of the Cuban market,” explained José Carlos Meijides Alfonso, director general of Esicuba.

Given this reality, added Meijides, the idea around insurance was to protect the interests of both insurers and the country. Thus Esicuba became the first socialist state enterprise dedicated to providing foreign trade insurance, a member of international organizations, and a provider of important claims and reinsurance policies.

During its formative years, the entity offered coverage for state goods and capital linked to the country’s international economic activity; civil aviation; foreign trade; mercantile and fishing fleets; and Cuban assets abroad. Esicuba worked to raise and restore Cuba’s standing within the international reinsurance market and became a national reinsurance provider in order to satisfy domestic demand.

STRATEGIC SECTORS

Socio-economic transformations in the country have seen Esicuba change over the years. Today, it offers over 40 products supporting the country’s economic development and key sectors.

“We have supported the development of Cuban civil aviation, the growth of maritime fleets, the establishment of new airlines and the expansion of airports. Esicuba has participated in all this development including catering services which it provides to all airlines which fly to the country,” stated Eliana Domínguez, director of Development and Marketing.

The entity has also played a key role in Cuba’s foreign trade activities, providing policies to some of the country’s largest importers and exporters.

Esicuba continues to work alongside the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex) to raise the island’s profile within the international market and ensure that all Cuban imports and exports are covered by a national insurer.

“Insurance began to be offered in the tourist sector in the 1990s with coverage for hotels as well as tourists themselves, more commonly known as Traveler Assistance Insurance. Medical expense policies also started to appear for all individuals already living or moving to country,” added Eliana Domínguez.

More foreign companies began to purchase Cuban insurance and domestic demand rose across various sectors, such as industry and telecommunications. Insurance linked to onshore oil drilling emerged but on a smaller scale and was primarily associated with well management. However, in 2000 the insurance market for oil exploration began to expand, with the last big project in 2012 when deep-water offshore drilling began.

“Globally, all businesses, all companies are accustomed to having insurance. No one would dare make an investment if it didn’t have financial protection, which is why foreigners that began to come to the country sought out this service,” commented the director for Development and Marketing.

Esicuba has played a key role in Cuba’s enterprise sector, acting as a guarantor for the country’s economic activity and supporting national projects seeking foreign investment. The entity currently offers a range of policies including coverage for all business activities on the island, something that has also had a positive impact on the economy.

The most recent edition of Cuba’s Portfolio of Foreign Investment Opportunities, presented during the 2017-2018 International Trade Fair in Havana, featured two projects linked to the insurance sector. One for Credit Insurance and Protection, and another related to Esen’s Life Insurance policy. The aim of the former, according to the Esicuba director general, is to create a joint venture providing credit insurance and involving Seguros Internacionales de Cuba.

“This kind of insurance is related to a company’s commercial and credit activity. It works when a problem arises between two parties, usually banks, or bilateral trade between different entities.

“Then there is bid bond insurance. This modality is linked to contract bids where the contractor is covered under certain terms. This is very important above all when undertaking foreign investments, because it provides a great deal of transparency to third parties,” explained Eliana Domínguez.

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

“The creation of independent and efficient entities is a key priority within Cuba’s new economic model, a task for which insurance is vital. It is a tool in the hands of business people which provides protection and security for their activities. A prime example of how entities can recover, be compensated and have access to capital is when losses occur, which is why insurance exists.

“When large-sale losses occur, like with Irma, Esicuba has shown how insurance benefits the Cuban economy. Financial recovery will take some time because it had a significant impact on the entity and the country, but we continue to work and have not stopped receiving policy requests, and are still offering investment projects in the Business Portfolio,” added Domínguez.

Regarding strategic sectors, the director of Development and Marketing stated that the entity is currently undertaking various actions to protect new investment projects and support developing sectors, most notably health, bio-pharmaceuticals and renewable energy.

Meanwhile staff at Esicuba have the necessary training and knowledge to carry out their functions in accordance with the country’s priorities.

For his part, José Carlos Meijides Alfonso, Esicuba director general, noted that the entity’s main challenge is raising awareness among the population and entities in Cuba of the importance of insurance as tool for protection.

“It is vital to create spaces within the national context to promote a culture of insurance in the country. This is our main challenge for the coming years; expand the need for insurance in Cuba in general and the business sector specifically. In order to do so we are planning to increase communication and dissemination efforts within the market and regarding our insurance services,” added the Director General.

In this sense, Eliana Domínguez noted that work is underway focused on the island’s private sector, which includes non-agricultural cooperatives – for which specific products have been developed.

Regarding the expansion of the enterprise, Meijides added that Esicuba is working on maximizing the use of available funds, and developing market mechanisms in line with Cuba’s priorities and economic development.

The island’s insurance industry is playing a key role in the process of updating the country’s economic model. Given marked interest in foreign investment and the business sector, these services represent a safeguard for such activities and confirm the security of doing business with Cuba.

(Granma)

He explained that a plastic container and part of a detonator were found at the site of the blast, and three suspects were detained: two men and one woman, all of Bolivian nationality.

Mendoza confirmed that the attack resulted in the death of four people (two adults and two children), in addition to nine injured (one child and eight adults).

Experts from the Directorate of Criminal Analysis and Intelligence (DACI) and Firefighters were deployed to the site to support the investigation of the incident and a complete expert report will soon be provided, he added.

The blast shocked the nation and saw police mobilized to collect evidence regarding what happened, ABI reported.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the explosion on Tuesday was not related to that of Saturday, as the first blast, which left eight dead, also in Oruro, was the result of the explosion of a food vendor’s gas canister.

The Carnival celebrations in the city of Oruro are one of the biggest popular festivities in Bolivia, and one of the most important in the world, with tens of thousands of people flocking to the area to enjoy the dances and make the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of El Socavón.

This according to Dr. Rolando Piloto, head of the 40-member Cuban medical brigade – which includes healthcare professionals with experience tackling natural disasters in other countries – speaking to Prensa Latina.

Piloto noted that the hospital – sent by Cuban authorities, alongside over 10 tons of equipment, medicines and supplies – was inaugurated during a brief ceremony on October 4.

The Cuban doctor also noted that despite rain on the day, hundreds of people came to the center to be treated.

The hospital, set up in the grounds of the Ixtepec sports stadium, offers consolations across general family medicine, pediatrics, gynecology and obstetrics, orthopedics and traumatology, surgery and neurosurgery, 24 hours a day.

It also provides X-ray, psychology, psychiatry, physical rehabilitation and laboratory-clinical services, reported Piloto.
On arrival in Mexico the Cuban brigade got straight to work, offering services at military hospitals and a facility in Tehuantepec, where they gave consultations and conducted ultrasound and surgical procedures.

They also treated about 150 patients from various countries across Central America at a migrant’s center.

The Cuban doctors form part of the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Disasters and Serious Epidemics, which has undertaken 27 missions in 19 countries.

On September 7, a category 8.2 earthquake struck Mexico, primarily affecting the states of Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco, and killing 90 people.

To these victims must be added the other 360 fatalities reported to date following a second 7.2 magnitude quake on September 19 in Mexico City and the states of Morelos, Puebla, México, Guerrero and Oaxaca.

(With information from Prensa Latina)