A shipment of vital medical supplies purchased by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) arrived in Cuba this past Saturday to support healthcare efforts in the eastern provinces most severely impacted by Hurricane Melissa, as announced on the official website of the United Nations agency.
This aid aims to enhance the capabilities of the national healthcare system and ensure the care of approximately 90,000 individuals. Particular emphasis is placed on children, adolescents, and pregnant women in the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, areas where the cyclone inflicted significant damage to infrastructure, medical facilities, and entire communities.
The shipment comprises 69 medical care kits containing essential medications like antibiotics and antihypertensives, along with basic equipment and consumable materials. Additionally, it includes 8,220 mosquito nets and oral rehydration salts, crucial for preventing vector-borne diseases and treating childhood dehydration.
Ensuring Health Services Post-Emergency"Maintaining healthcare services is vital to mitigate risks following an emergency. This shipment helps in disease prevention and ensures that hospitals and clinics have the necessary resources to protect the lives and well-being of families," emphasized Alejandra Trossero, UNICEF's representative in Cuba.
The international organization, which has collaborated with national and local authorities since the hurricane alert phase, also dispatched prepositioned supplies within the country: 1,300 family hygiene kits, 213 children's recreational kits, educational and early childhood materials, as well as roofing sheets, waterproof blankets, and portable water purification plants for affected communities.
Coordinating Aid DistributionThe transportation and distribution of supplies will be executed in partnership with the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP), which will ensure their delivery to the most resource-strapped health centers.
UNICEF's support comes at a critical juncture for eastern Cuba, ravaged by Hurricane Melissa, which battered the country with winds reaching 121 mph, leaving a trail of destroyed homes, isolated communities, and a collapsed healthcare system in several areas, as per earlier reports.
This fresh humanitarian initiative underscores UNICEF's commitment to early recovery and resilience in the Cuban healthcare system, particularly to ensure that every child and adolescent grows up healthy and protected, even amid emergency situations.
Key Details About UNICEF's Aid to Cuba
What types of medical supplies were included in UNICEF's shipment to Cuba?
The shipment included medical care kits with essential medications such as antibiotics and antihypertensives, basic equipment, consumable materials, 8,220 mosquito nets, and oral rehydration salts.
Which provinces in Cuba are the primary focus of UNICEF's aid?
The aid primarily targets the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Holguín, where Hurricane Melissa caused significant damage.
How is UNICEF coordinating the distribution of supplies in Cuba?
UNICEF is coordinating with the Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) to ensure the supplies reach the health centers with the most significant shortages.