Officials in Río Cauto, located in Granma province, have clarified that the government "subsidizes but does not give away" the mattresses distributed to families impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
José Manuel Rodríguez Valdivia, who serves as a spokesperson for the Department of Prevention and Social Work and identifies himself as a local government employee, shared this information on Facebook.
In his post, Rodríguez explained that there are two categories of mattresses being distributed: those received through donations, which are provided free of charge, and others purchased by the government, priced initially at 911 pesos.
The government, as per Rodríguez, subsidizes 50% of the cost for those with "financial stability" and covers 100% for social assistance cases. "Additionally, we offer convenient payment plans, tailored to each household's capacity," the official boasted.
Nevertheless, many families devastated by the hurricane have lost their homes and belongings and are struggling on state salaries, which are insufficient to replace what they have lost.
Hurricane Melissa's impact in October caused extensive damage in eastern Cuba, particularly in Granma, where areas like Río Cauto experienced flooding, housing damage, and significant material losses.
In this scenario, the government's decision to charge part of the mattress cost to those affected shows a lack of empathy toward the suffering of the most vulnerable.
Although local authorities maintain that this is a "fair and subsidized" approach, the truth is that in a country where the average salary barely reaches 6,000 pesos, requiring payment from people who have lost everything is yet another blow to a population already weary from economic hardship and ongoing natural disasters.
Following Melissa's passage through eastern Cuba, the Cuban government once again resorted to its typical post-disaster "assistance": announcing lower prices for construction materials and offering bank loans to those who have nothing left.
However, the real question is not just whether the regime genuinely wants to "help," but in a nation with a struggling construction materials industry, where will these materials come from?
Questions About Government Aid in Cuba
How does the Cuban government subsidize mattresses for hurricane victims?
The government subsidizes 50% of the mattress cost for those with financial stability and 100% for those receiving social assistance. This is meant to help families affected by Hurricane Melissa in Río Cauto.
What challenges do families face in replacing lost possessions after Hurricane Melissa?
Families face significant challenges as they have lost homes and belongings, and state salaries are often not enough to cover the cost of replacements. This financial strain is exacerbated by the government's partial mattress charges.
Why is the government's response to Hurricane Melissa considered controversial?
The response is seen as controversial because, despite government claims of fairness, the policy requires payments from those who have lost everything, in a country where the average salary is low, adding to the population's economic burden.