ACT Alert

Cuba - 1/2004

                    

Hurricane Charley

Geneva, 3 September, 2004

Hurricane Charley roared through Cuba on 13 August causing devastation in Havana province and Havana City. Due to the early warning provided by the Weather Bureau and the Civil defense as well as the preparedness measures taken to protect the population, the death toll reached only four with five persons injured.

However, the physical damages were widespread. The affected province is the most densely populated area in Cuba where most of the important industries are located as well as the best agricultural land. According to the Civil Defense reports 40,100 houses were damaged and 8,300 totally destroyed. Damages to infrastructure: schools, hospitals, electricity, telephone and water distribution systems are extensive. Almost 2.5 million people had their electricity cut and water and gas systems were seriously affected. Agriculture in the area has also been severely affected with hundreds of hectares of banana plantations destroyed by the winds, root plantations damaged and fruit trees stripped of their fruit. The best tobacco plantations also suffered extensive destruction.

ACT member in Cuba the Cuban Council of Churches (CCC) reports that due to the phone and electricity lines being cut in Havana City, they were unable to communicate with the outside world for several days. Their Emergency Committee visited the affected areas the day following the disaster to assess the situation. They report that in Havana there are still 3,300 people staying in the shelters that were set up by the Cuban Government before the Hurricane, while others are staying with relatives or friends.

In the rural areas, CCC has visited the area of Batabanó in the south of Havana where giant waves and swirling winds lashed the coastal areas leaving an area of total destruction. CCC also visited the areas of Guira de Mena, Alquízar, Melena del Sur and Bejucal where damage to houses and agriculture is extensive.

CCC is finalising their assessment of needs and possible areas of intervention. An appeal will be forthcoming. The ACT CO would appreciate any indications of possible support from funding members.