CERF provides US$5.5 million for storm-affected people in Cuba

21 November 2012: Hurricane Sandy hit the eastern region of Cuba hard when it passed through the country on 25 October. Sustained winds reached upwards of 200 km/h as Sandy lashed Santiago de Cuba and Holguin—Cuba’s second and third most populated provinces, respectively. The storm caused 11 deaths and affected an additional 3 million people (20 per cent of the country’s population). At least 200,000 homes were damaged and 17,000 destroyed.

The urban context of the affected area makes the situation very complex. Infrastructure was severely damaged including electricity distribution, communication systems, warehouses, storage facilities, and industrial and public institutions. Santiago de Cuba is an extremely important economic artery for the country and region. Therefore, the impact that the city sustained will have consequences for the rest of Cuba.

In response, the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated US$5.5 million to help UN agencies and humanitarian partners provide support in agriculture, food security, health, education, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene.

A total of $925,000 has been allocated to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), $400,000 to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), $102,000 to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), $1.8 million to the World Food Programme (WFP), $550,000 to the World Health Organization (WHO) and $1.8 million to the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

The funds aim to assist half a million affected people.