Need for aid in Cuba increases after Ike

Date: 10 Sep 2008
Need for aid in Cuba increases after Ike

HAVANA, Cuba (Sept. 10, 08) - Still reeling from the damage caused by
Hurricane Gustav, Cubans have been dealt a second severe blow by
Hurricane Ike. CARE is intensifying the call for funds to aid
beleaguered Cubans.

IKE hast left a wide track of destruction from the eastern end of the
country where it first hit on Sunday evening, to the most western
province of Pinar del Rio which had to postpone rehabilitation efforts
which had been undertaken after the devastation left by Hurricane GUSTAV
10 days ago.

Damage has been caused by a combination of strong winds, severe
rainfall, and storm surges along both the northern and southern shores
of the Island of Cuba. Over 1,2 million people were evacuated across the
island, or 10 per cent of its total population. Tens of thousands of
homes have been significantly affected by Ike, adding a serious stress
on the country's capacity after the more than 110,000 homes destroyed or
severely damaged by Gustav.

Full assessment of the damage is not yet possible as telephone
communication infrastructure through the affected regions has been
significantly affected.

However it is already known that the main damage is concentrated in
agriculture, power and telephone systems, homes and economic and social
installations. As a result of the large track of the storm, virtually
all agricultural activity on the Island has been impacted in varying
degrees. Mountainous crops such as coffee and cocoa in the Guantanamo,
Santiago de Cuba and Granma provinces have been affected by the severe
rains. Fruits fields, sugarcane, and all urban and periurban agriculture
(the source of most fresh fruits and vegetables consumed in the country)
have fallen victim to the force of the storm.

"We are very likely looking at tens of thousands of people without a
roof over their heads, and the very real possibility of shortages of
essential food staples," said Caroline Poussart, Director of CARE in Cuba.

CARE is appealing to support hurricane relief efforts. Donations can be
made to the CARE Canada Emergency Relief Fund by calling 1.800.267.5232,
or online at www.care.ca.

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