Cuban activist Norge Ernesto Díaz Blak, known as Noly Black, has released a video depicting the harrowing conditions faced by hundreds of families in the Yaguabo community, located in the Holguín municipality of Cacocum. These families have lost everything due to the floods caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Four days after the storm swept through eastern Cuba, Noly visited the area, which remained submerged due to the overflowing of the Cauto River. His footage reveals heart-rending scenes of devastation: homes entirely under water, floating belongings, deceased animals, soaked furniture, and families left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Engaging with the locals, Noly encountered a blend of sorrow, hopelessness, and resignation as they grappled with the challenge of moving forward without knowing how to survive or recover from their massive material losses.
Several cooperative members shared with Noly that all the livestock in the area had been lost. They managed to escape to safety, along with their dogs. "This is all I have," one woman remarked, pointing to a small backpack. "There's no mattress, no stove, nothing in there."
Struggles Amidst the Floodwaters
A resident highlighted the waterline left by the floodwaters, marking above the door of a house. A couple wading through knee-deep water showed Noly the flooded state-owned locations: the café, the store, and the offices of INDER and the police.
One man carried a chair on his shoulders: "This is my dad's, who's bedridden. It's his wheelchair," he explained. Another resident broke down in tears, recounting how the police forcibly removed him from his home, leaving him unable to save anything.
"That's my house. There's nothing left inside," he expressed with anguish. "I even lost my food because they wouldn't let me take anything out. Not the fans, not even the pressure cooker. Everything's gone bad, and I'm starving... Some neighbors here give me a bit to eat," he detailed sorrowfully.
A Call for Help
Noly Black, renowned for his humanitarian work in Holguín, emphasized that between Yaguabo and the municipal center of Cacocum, over 600 homes are now in such dire conditions following the cyclone's impact. He urged his followers to contribute aid to these affected families.
"You see the state of everything here. I hope you can help me assist these families," he appealed. In an economy plagued by structural crisis, devalued salaries, and a lack of materials, recovery appears almost unattainable.
Restoring a home, a refrigerator, or even a mattress becomes an ordeal for those reliant on state wages, especially when infrastructure is crumbling and institutional responses are delayed.
The solidarity among Cubans, both on the island and abroad, has emerged as the sole effective means of support. Donation campaigns, shipments from Miami, and local aid groups operate amidst official neglect. Yet the question remains: how much longer can a population endure the loss of everything while awaiting aid?
FAQs on Flood Impact in Holguín
What caused the flooding in Holguín?
The floods in Holguín were caused by the overflowing of the Cauto River following Hurricane Melissa.
How many homes were affected by the flooding?
Over 600 homes were reported to be in dire conditions between Yaguabo and the municipal center of Cacocum after the cyclone.
What is being done to help the affected families?
Efforts to aid the affected families include donation campaigns, shipments of goods from Miami, and local assistance groups, although official support has been lacking.