Medicines for mother-and-child health services in Guantanamo arrive in Cuba

Havana, 26 October 2024 - A cargo of 1,498 kilograms of medicines and consumables arrived in Havana by air to support medical assistance to 140,000 people, especially pregnant women, children and adolescents in Guantánamo, the province affected the most by tropical storm Oscar.

“We have closely followed the impacts of Oscar in the eastern territory. We deeply regret the loss of human lives,” said Alejandra Trossero, UNICEF representative in Cuba. “We mobilized immediately to contribute to national response and recovery efforts in the most affected areas, especially to ensure that children and adolescents and their families in Guantanamo have basic services,” she added.

The 60 kits purchased with UNICEF funds include analgesics, antipyretics, antibiotics, antifungals and other supplies for emergency medical care.

In addition, UNICEF provides the health authorities with 1,300 packets of 100 chewable 400 mg tablets of anti-parasitic Albendazole.

Tropical Storm Oscar moved slowly for almost 25 hours over the national territory. As a result, more than 650 mm of rainfall was accumulated in some localities of the eastern part of the country, causing heavy flooding and swollen rivers. The most affected areas were the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur, Imías, Baracoa and Maisí in Guantánamo.

Local authorities continue to assess the damage in these four localities, while response teams are working to restore essential services for an affected population of 149,693 people, including 16,788 boys and 15,812 girls, according to UNICEF Cuba estimates.

UNICEF responds

As part of the first response actions to tropical storm Oscar, UNICEF, with the support of the Directorate General of Civil Protection and European Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), secured 1,000 roofing sheets, 680 purlins and 4,700 screws to cover part of the needs of the 74 affected schools in Guantanamo.

For the Education sector, UNICEF has 230 recreation kits that will help in the psycho-emotional support of 20,700 children, 214 early childhood kits, 27 tents and 300 tarpaulins to create temporary teaching spaces and 9,350 m² of waterproofing blankets.

In addition, based on the government’s request, 4,420 water tanks will be delivered for family consumption, 870 family and child hygiene kits, and a portable water purification plant that will provide drinking water to 15,000 people.

“We will continue to accompany Cuban authorities and local institutions guaranteeing essential services for the affected communities. Our contribution seeks to ensure that boys, girls and adolescents in Guantánamo can return to the classroom and to their daily activities in safe environments and grow up healthy,” said Alejandra Trossero.