Swiss national Mark Kuster, who established and leads the NGO Camaquito, has pledged $50,000 from personal funds and contributions from close friends to help repair homes for families devastated by Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba province.
In a Facebook post shared this Wednesday, Kuster conveyed his solidarity with those affected, emphasizing that the assistance would be managed directly.
"The pain is immense. I stand with you. While I cannot help everyone, I am personally committing, along with friends, $50,000 to repair homes for people connected to Camaquito in Santiago de Cuba," he emphasized.
He was clear in his message: "No intermediaries and no bureaucracy."
Kuster's announcement comes amid a humanitarian crisis severely impacting eastern Cuba, where thousands of families have lost roofs, belongings, and livelihoods following Hurricane Melissa's devastation.
Camaquito, an organization founded in 2001, focuses on social projects in Cuba, prioritizing education, sports, health, culture, and the environment, especially in the most vulnerable communities.
While its main office is in Camagüey, the organization has extended its reach to other provinces in recent years.
Kuster stressed that the aid would bypass official structures, highlighting the often obstructive or diverting nature of state bureaucracy when it comes to international or private donations.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and the resulting institutional collapse, various citizen and community initiatives have emerged to support the victims in eastern Cuba.
Acts of solidarity have surfaced from different quarters. In Las Tunas, a group of pedicab drivers assisted in evacuating dozens of people in Granma, including children and the elderly, due to a lack of official transportation.
Meanwhile, the Methodist Church of Cuba has continued distributing food and medicines in devastated areas, which have been overlooked by the state's resource distribution.
Social and cultural figures like Ja Rulay and Belissa Cruz have also mobilized, traveling to vulnerable communities with donations of food, water, and essential supplies.
In Havana, the "Huellas" platform has been gathering supplies and resources for those affected, as reported in a campaign aimed at channeling aid without state interference.
Key Questions About Aid Efforts in Santiago de Cuba
What is the main objective of the $50,000 aid pledged by Mark Kuster?
The main objective of the aid is to directly fund the repair of homes for families connected to Camaquito who were affected by Hurricane Melissa in Santiago de Cuba.
How does Camaquito plan to distribute the aid without bureaucratic interference?
Kuster emphasized that the aid will be managed directly and will not involve any intermediaries or bureaucratic processes, ensuring that the resources reach those in need without state interference.
What other initiatives have supported the victims of Hurricane Melissa in Cuba?
Various initiatives have emerged, including assistance from pedicab drivers in Las Tunas, the Methodist Church's distribution of food and medicine, and efforts by social figures like Ja Rulay and Belissa Cruz to provide essential supplies.