In the wake of Hurricane Oscar, Baracoa—one of the hardest-hit municipalities—is seeing the setup of tent shelters to accommodate families whose homes have been completely destroyed. This initiative, reported by state media, highlights the government's struggles to provide more stable and lasting housing solutions.
The tents, specifically located in the Jamal area, are a donation from the World Food Program (WFP). Unfortunately, they are being pitched on uneven and unprepared grounds, underscoring the challenges in delivering a swift infrastructure response to the widespread housing crisis in the region.
Local television station Primada Visión has noted that social workers are responsible for anchoring these 6x3 meter tents, yet the total number of tents to be installed in the area remains undisclosed. Persistent rains have hampered recovery efforts, as fears of flooding loom due to rising river levels and saturated soil conditions.
Impact of Hurricane Oscar on Baracoa
Hurricane Oscar made landfall near Baracoa at 5:50 PM on Sunday, October 20. By Monday morning, the destructive force of winds reaching approximately 130 km/h left clear marks: rooftops torn off, trees uprooted, crops devastated, and power lines impacted. These visuals continue to define the landscape of this Cuban region, also known as Villa Primada.
As of Monday morning, the official Radio Baracoa had announced the arrival of the tent donations via a Facebook post, sharing images of the tents, their structural poles, and anchoring components. According to the WFP in Cuba, 200 tunnel-style tents were donated to serve as temporary shelters for those who lost their homes.