Last night we told you about the dire circumstances facing Cubans and those living there in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian.
They've had power restored now but many of them are still in urgent need of shelter and basic supplies. And to fill that need, a group of Belizeans including diplomats and parents of those studying in Cuba have come together to fill a shipping container with the necessary goods to help those on the island weather the aftermath of the storm.
It's called the Solidarity with Cuba Drive and it's an effort you can get involved with by making a few simple donations. We spoke to one parent and the drive's coordinator about their efforts earlier today.
Cuba took a pounding from Hurricane Ian and in the aftermath of the storm, Belizeans are rallying together to try and provide much-needed supplies to Cubans as well as our own students who find themselves fighting through the devastation to continue with their medical scholarships.
Ardelle Sabido, Coordinator, Solidarity with Cuba
"There has been great devastation after hurricane. Ian and the cubans have helped us so much in the past not only with the scholarship not only with the students. There and medical brigade here in Belize but as well during our struggle for Independence they were critical allies at a very critical time and I don't think Belizeans will ever forget that."
And one person who knows that all two well is Elida Segura, the mother of two Belizean-born Cuban-trained doctors. Her participation in this effort is driven by her knowledge of what Belizean students face on the ground even at the best of times.
Elida Segura, Parent/ Donor
"I would say that. You know although Cuba has it hard our children here in Belize still benefit with the scholarships of medical scholarships and I am so happy and. Thanks to the government in Cuba that they have given my two sons now, one is Karl Heusner doing his internship and the other one is specializing in Cuba in surgery and I am so happy for them and that is why we would want to give back something to the people in Cuba because I know it's hard because of the blockade, Covid, and now the hurricane."
And as you may have seen in regional and international headlines recovering from the storm is going to be quite a challenge for the Cuban people.
Ardelle Sabido, Coordinator, Solidarity with Cuba
"The statistics that we have gotten out of Cuba recently were dated the first of October. They are something like 3000 homes completely destroyed 300+ medical facilities and hospitals very badly damaged. As you know the electricity is up now but that, the power grid had suffered major major damage. So the recovery is going to be a while and it's been complicated because of the ongoing blockade. So it's difficult to get products on a regular basis to. Cuba and that is why these kinds of efforts, humanitarian aid from Belize is so critical at this junction."
Elida Segura, Parent/ Donor
"So I wish that. People would give if it's even a little two pounds of rice a little pack of rice beans and we all put together and it will make a difference you know to people there, you know whatever they can donate it doesn't have to be money. It doesn't have to be a million dollars but something you know something that you could help them."
The coordinator for the effort, Ardelle Sabido stressed that what is most needed on the island are building materials and fresh meat supplies.
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