Hurricane Dennis emergency assistance

Hurricane Dennis, a category IV hurricane, lashed Cuba between 7 - 9 July causing heavy rains and flooding . The Hurricane devastated 11 provinces and caused the evacuation of 1.5 million people. In spite of all the preparedness measures taken by the Civil Defence and the early warnings issued, sixteen persons died. The estimation of the damages is huge. More than 8 million inhabitants of the Island were affected and 120,000 homes were damaged to different degrees from complete destruction to minor damages. Agricultural production has suffered such severe and comprehensive damage that it has resulted in an immediate and direct impact on the food security of the country. This is the fourth year in a row that Cuba has been seriously hit by hurricanes.

ACT member the Cuban Council of Churches (CIC) is planning to assist the most vulnerable affected population in four municipalities in the province of Granma, which was the most severely affected. Granma province is located in the eastern part of the country and agricultural activity is the centre of its economy. CIC has prepared this preliminary appeal to respond to the most immediate needs of the affected population. They are proposing to provide food assistance (canned food), bedding and hygiene kits, sewing kits and mattresses to 400 families. They also intend to support elderly people and pregnant women that are located in public institutions in the province. CIC will welcome in-kind donations of the items specified in the appeal.

The ACT CO, in consultation with CIC, will deploy a CAT team of two persons, who will support the CIC in further assessment of the needs for the crisis and rehabilitation phase and to set adequate systems for the handling and recording of the in-kind donations. The team will visit Cuba for one week from 5 August to 12 August.

Project Completion Date: 31 January 2006

Summary of Appeal Targets, Pledges/Contributions Received and Balance Requested (US$)

Total Appeal Target(s): 370,775

Less: Pledges/Contr. Recd.: 0

Balance Requested from ACT Alliance: 370,775

White Rakuba
Director, ACT Co-ordinating Office