Joaquín Alonso Vázquez, the Minister of Economy and Planning, alongside Óscar Pérez Oliva-Fraga, the head of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment, addressed national and international media on Thursday to provide preliminary details on the damage Cuba has sustained from Hurricanes Óscar and Rafael, as well as seismic activities in the eastern part of the nation.
Alonso Vázquez highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the total economic impact, yet suggested that these natural disasters are likely to hinder the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thereby complicating any economic progress anticipated for the current year. He emphasized that the housing sector bears a significant portion of the damage, with over 34,000 homes experiencing varying degrees of destruction, from complete collapses to partial damage and roof impairments. Recovery plans are underway, though they are contingent on resource availability and efforts to adapt the housing stock to climate change.
Widespread Infrastructure Damage
The National Electric System (SEN) has suffered substantial damage, including harm to 2,449 transformers, the fall of eight high-tension towers, numerous yet-to-be-accounted-for electric poles, and 200 kilometers of distribution lines. In the agricultural sector, substantial losses were recorded, affecting 37,000 hectares of farmland, damaging 381 agricultural facilities, with preliminary losses estimated at 383 million pesos.
Impact on Public Services and Support
Additional reports indicate damage to 22 hospitals, 605 communication poles, 276 educational facilities, 189 domestic trade establishments, 25 warehouses, 88 pumping systems, and four bridges, among other critical infrastructure.
Pérez Oliva-Fraga acknowledged the rapid response facilitated by the United Nations System, attributing it to the pre-positioning of resources on the ground. He expressed gratitude for the solidarity demonstrated by various governments, organizations, and individuals who have provided essential resources such as food, medical supplies, construction materials, and monetary donations.
"We extend our deepest gratitude to the institutions, governments, authorities, companies, and citizens, both in Cuba and abroad, who have contributed to alleviating the damage caused by these events in just 20 days," stated Pérez Oliva-Fraga.