Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel has spearheaded a comprehensive evaluation of national recovery initiatives in response to Hurricane Melissa’s devastation and recent catastrophic flooding in Villa Clara municipalities. The assessment revealed substantial progress across multiple sectors while highlighting ongoing challenges.
In Las Tunas province, Governor Yelenis Tornet Menéndez reported that restoration efforts are predominantly concentrated on revitalizing food production systems. Regarding housing infrastructure, 411 out of 538 damaged residences have been successfully restored, demonstrating significant reconstruction achievement.
The healthcare sector has witnessed remarkable rehabilitation progress according to Health Minister Dr. José Angel Portal Miranda. Of 710 medical facilities affected across five eastern provinces, 185 have been completely restored, including 27 facilities rehabilitated within the past week. Patient services have been substantially normalized, with only 16 services remaining relocated compared to 23 immediately post-hurricane. Workforce recovery shows 73.4% of affected medical personnel (4,200+ out of 5,700) have returned to duty.
Epidemiological surveillance has been intensified through enhanced population screening, particularly targeting vulnerable groups. Anti-vector measures and outbreak containment protocols have been strengthened to prevent post-disaster health crises.
Water resource management has seen coordinated action, with National Institute of Water Resources President Antonio Rodríguez Rodríguez confirming all provinces have identified damaged pumping stations and restoration requirements. Prioritization has been given to agricultural water systems, with 22 of 97 damaged pumping stations already repaired.
Agricultural recovery efforts have achieved the rehabilitation of 183,000 hectares, with land preparation and replanting operations constituting the sector’s primary focus, according to Agriculture Minister Ydael Pérez Brito.
Electrical infrastructure restoration nears completion in eastern regions, with Santiago de Cuba—the most severely affected area—achieving 99% grid restoration.
The assessment simultaneously addressed emergency flooding in Villa Clara province, where unprecedented rainfall exceeding 253 millimeters within hours triggered severe flooding in Sagua la Grande and Cifuentes municipalities. The disaster necessitated evacuation of 753 residents, most relocating to relatives’ or neighbors’ residences. Provincial authorities expressed confidence in addressing the compounded damage effectively.