Staring at the remnants of her home with a voice choked with pain, Mariannis, a mother of five from Guantánamo, encapsulates the calamity that altered her life. "The storm took everything from me, it took my house, left me with nothing," she expressed.
In an emotional account to Telemundo 51, Mariannis described returning to her home post-evacuation, only to find it reduced to rubble. "When I came back from the evacuation, I found it like this, destroyed," she recounted tearfully, pointing to the shattered roof and walls that once sheltered her family.
Struggling to survive on the scant support from her children's father, Mariannis explained, "I don't have a pension; I live on what little the father of my children can provide." Her story is part of the broader devastation wrought by Hurricane Melissa, which fiercely hit eastern Cuba, leaving hundreds of families homeless.
The Aftermath of Destruction
Having endured previous storms, Mariannis showed influencer Luis Suárez from Guantánamo the remains of the house she shared with her father, which was also destroyed. She pleaded, "If anyone can help me, please do; I'm in a desperate situation," a call that echoes the plight of thousands affected.
In Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Las Tunas, numerous homes have been reduced to ruins, as reported by local media. Images have emerged showing the Cauto River overflowing, entire towns submerged, and communities isolated without power or food.
Cuban Diaspora Responds
Amidst this extensive damage, Cuban Americans in South Florida have rallied to dispatch aid to those in need. "It's a humanitarian duty for all of us Cubans here, knowing our brothers back home are struggling," stated Dale Pututi to Telemundo 51.
Organizers have confirmed that over four thousand pounds of humanitarian aid will be shipped to the island next week, destined directly for the victims without any government interference.
Hurricane Melissa not only brought visible destruction but also highlighted yet again the structural vulnerability of Cuba to natural disasters and the ineffective response from the authorities.
In the eastern provinces, thousands remain without electricity or potable water, and many families, like Mariannis', linger in fear and uncertainty, unsure of how to rebuild their lives.
Impact of Hurricane Melissa in Cuba
What areas were most affected by Hurricane Melissa in Cuba?
Hurricane Melissa severely impacted eastern Cuba, particularly the provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Las Tunas, where many homes were destroyed, and communities were left isolated.
How are Cuban Americans helping those affected by the hurricane?
Cuban Americans in South Florida have organized to send humanitarian aid directly to the victims, ensuring that over four thousand pounds of supplies reach those in need without government intervention.
What challenges do families face after the hurricane?
Families, like that of Mariannis, face significant challenges as they deal with the loss of their homes, lack of basic necessities, and uncertainty about their future, compounded by a weak government response.