A young girl from Birán, Holguín, Cuba, reached out for help on social media after Hurricane Melissa devastated her home, tearing off its roof.
"Please help me, look at my little house, see how the cyclone lifted everything," she pleads in a Facebook video, showing the damage left by the hurricane. "I have no food and can't take it anymore. Please give me money to buy food. Look at my destroyed house," she continues.
As the video shifts focus to her elderly grandparents, she adds, "Look at my grandparents, they have no clothes or shoes. Help us, give us money. Please help me, I am a child of God."
The video was shared on Facebook by opposition figure José Daniel Ferrer, who expressed sorrow over the girl's plight in "the very place where the tyrants Fidel and Raúl Castro were born, who are responsible for the oppression and dire poverty in our country."
"Anyone aware of this case or similar ones should bring them to light or send them to those who can publish them. Thank you," added the exiled dissident.
Hurricane Melissa wreaked havoc in Holguín, leaving about 7,500 homes damaged across all municipalities in the province. Among these, over 400 homes were completely destroyed, and others suffered partial damage, according to provincial authorities.
Rodolfo Bárzaga Mena, head of the Construction sub-group, reported last Friday that work crews are engaged in clearing debris, restoring infrastructure, and distributing construction materials, prioritizing health centers, schools, and families without shelter.
From the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Las Tunas, 10,000 asbestos and zinc sheets, along with 5,000 asphalt shingles, are being transported to repair partial and total collapses.
Official media reports indicate that Holguín has recorded more than 435,000 damages caused by intense rains, winds, and flooding affecting all its municipalities, with the greatest impact felt in Urbano Noris and Cacocum.
More than 290,000 residents were evacuated during the hurricane's onslaught, and 856 remain sheltered in 16 centers set up in various municipalities.
As of November 5, 94 out of 203 affected electrical circuits had been restored, reconnecting about 56.7% of customers (approximately 197,000 users). Meanwhile, communication services were 65.4% recovered.
Regarding water supply, 117 out of 228 damaged pumping stations were operational, providing service to 407,000 out of 724,000 aqueduct customers.
FAQs on Hurricane Melissa's Impact in Holguín
What was the impact of Hurricane Melissa in Holguín?
Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage in Holguín, affecting around 7,500 homes, with over 400 total collapses and many partial damages. The storm also led to a significant number of evacuees and impacted essential services like electricity and water.
How is the recovery process progressing in Holguín?
Recovery efforts include debris clearance, infrastructure rehabilitation, and distribution of construction materials, focusing on health centers, schools, and families without shelter. Transportation of roofing materials from other provinces is also underway.
How many people were affected by the hurricane in terms of evacuation and shelter?
Over 290,000 people were evacuated during the hurricane, with 856 remaining in shelters set up across various municipalities to provide protection and support.