In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, evacuees from Río Cauto in Granma province have taken to social media to expose their plight. Left without water, food, or adequate shelter, they find themselves abandoned after the storm brought severe flooding and destruction to the area.
A video shared in the "Revolico Guamo" group captures the distress of those affected: “They left us here in Las Torres with children, pregnant women, and the physically disabled. We're under the sun, waiting for transport from Jobabo as if we don't matter. It's heartbreaking and hopeless,” one evacuee lamented.
While the Municipal Defense Council (CDM) stated that over 7,700 residents of Río Cauto were relocated to protection centers or with relatives, many have begun to return to their homes amid critical conditions this Friday.
Reports on Facebook reveal that evacuees were stranded near a railway line, exposed to the sun without basic necessities. The promised transport never arrived for some, prompting them to walk back home along the train tracks.
Eager to inspect their homes for cyclone and flood damage, people rushed back to their communities. Yet, areas like Río Cauto, Los Indios, El Mango, Guamo, and Cautillo remain engulfed in mud, with dead animals, overflowing latrines, and the threat of disease.
“El Mango de Río Cauto is devastated, lacking drinking water and food, surrounded by bacteria and pests,” a local resident shared online.
Residents demanded government intervention in their comments, highlighting that no official or Communist Party representative has visited the hardest-hit areas. “Not a single government figure has dared to witness our situation,” wrote another affected individual.
Witnesses noted that aid and donations are concentrated in municipal centers, leaving rural communities without mattresses, clothing, or basic food. “Everything we had was washed away. No one helps us, no one listens,” a struggling mother expressed.
Hurricane Melissa inflicted severe material damage across Granma province, particularly in flood-stricken municipalities. Thousands of families lost everything—their homes, furniture, appliances, clothing, food, and more.
The Cuban regime remains silent on how it plans to address the housing crisis in rural areas or what conditions evacuees will face in temporary shelters. Public outrage mounts as institutional neglect and poor state management become increasingly apparent.
FAQs on the Crisis in Granma Post-Hurricane Melissa
What challenges are evacuees facing in Granma after Hurricane Melissa?
Evacuees in Granma are dealing with a lack of water, food, and suitable shelter, as well as exposure to harsh conditions without promised transport support. The absence of governmental help has exacerbated their struggles.
How has the Cuban government responded to the crisis in Granma?
The Cuban government has not provided specific information on how it plans to address the housing crisis or the situation in temporary shelters for those affected, leading to growing public frustration.