HURRICANE MATTHEW IN GUANTÁNAMO
Unicef praises recovery efforts
Unicef program coordinator, Victoria Colamarco highlighted the impact of recovery efforts undertaken by the people of Guantánamo, together with national and international support, following Hurricane Matthew
Author: Jorge Luis Merencio Cautín | merencio@granma.cu
february 23, 2017 11:02:17
Guantánamo residents affected by Hurricane Matthew have benefited from donations by various UN bodies.
Guantánamo.– On February 22, Unicef program coordinator, Victoria Colamarco highlighted the impact of recovery efforts undertaken by the people of Guantánamo, together with national and international support, following Hurricane Matthew.
The UN representative also emphasized the impact of donations benefiting both children and communities in affected regions; noting the gratitude expressed by recipients.
The Unicef official went on to state that fund-raising actions to support recovery efforts in Guantánamo will continue.
Colamarco led a delegation of Unicef representatives in Cuba who visited areas affected by the hurricane, in order to strengthen coordination efforts with local governments and follow-up on the distribution of resources donated to the four most severely affected municipalities.
We are pleased with the control, seriousness and discipline with which Cuban government authorities, and in particular those of this eastern province, have distributed resources donated by Unicef for victims of Hurricane Matthew, stated Colamarco.
The delegation also visited schools and communities in Baracoa, Maisí, Imías and San Antonio del Sur, where they spoke with children, teachers and residents.
In addition, representatives met with local government officials responsible for the region’s health, water and education sectors.
During their visit the delegation also received an explanation regarding the distribution of supplies obtained through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), and their impact on families and schools.
These donations included early child development kits, with materials and games designed to stimulate learning capabilities in infants and young children; recreation kits supporting the psycho-social recovery of children affected by the hurricane; as well as crates of school supplies, which contain books, chalk, erasers, paint brushes, and pencils among other resources.