Eastern Cuba makes progress in recovering homes damaged by Hurricane Melissa

HAVANA, Cuba, January 27 (ACN) Some 15,500 homes damaged by Hurricane Melissa in the province of Santiago de Cuba have been rehabilitated by January 2026, according to DanislayHechavarriaDuvalon, Coordinator of Programs and Objectives for the Provincial Government, as reported by the Granma newspaper.

The hurricane damaged 106,500 houses, primarily Type III and IV homes with lightweight roofs, common in the country's second most populous city and other municipalities in Santiago de Cuba. The majority of the damage, totaling 66,000, involved partial roof collapses.

Hechavarria Duvalon explained that progress depends on the allocation of resources, noting that the State Budget has covered 50 % of the cost of materials, while approved payment methods, such as bank loans and subsidies of up to 99 %, remain in place.

This recovery process includes the construction of Type IV housing in the nine municipalities, the conversion of shipping containers into homes, and the local production of construction materials.

The National Defense Council established a policy of providing materials for up to 70 square meters per home, with technical surveys determining the number of roof tiles required based on the type of material.

In cases exceeding this area, the standard 18 tiles were provided, and the remaining tiles must be obtained through the residents' own efforts.

Local authorities indicated that difficulties persist in replacing roofs due to situations of economic or physical vulnerability, and warned about the diversion of resources to the informal market, which necessitates strengthening institutional and community oversight, as well as combating crime and corruption.

Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, checked the recovery efforts in affected communities and emphasized that the most complex task will be the complete rehabilitation of damaged homes, including those damaged by Hurricane Sandy.

By 2026, the goal is to make progress in providing roofing materials, adapting existing buildings, and constructing new communities, with an emphasis on local production of materials and controlling the distribution of resources.