Live
Audio Only
An aircraft carrying eight tons of emergency supplies arrived in Havana, Cuba Sunday from Suriname in an act of friendship and solidarity to assist in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Irma torn into the island nation.
The donation, arranged by Suriname’s Foreign Affairs Office, included rice, water, milk, sheets, and toiletries.
"Cuba is a great friend of Suriname, we cooperate in various areas and sectors, and we show convergences in other issues of the international sphere,” the Director of Foreign Affairs of Suriname Michiel Raafenberg, said. “So, we decided to make this gesture and show the Cuban government and people that they are in our thoughts."
The minister emphasized that Cuba is a strong and resilient country that has the power and the means to advance towards the future in spite of adversities.
“Cuba is our friend ... and that we are going to contribute at this moment, we have always helped each other,” Raafenberg said.
This is the second shipment of aid that has arrived from Suriname since last week’s Hurricane Irma hit Cuba.
RELATED:
Vietnam Sends Aid to Cuba to Help Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Donations have also arrived from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and the World Food Program, with the latter delivering some 1,600 metric tons of food to more than 650,000 Cubans as well as US$5.7 million to the relief fund.
Bolivia, Ecuador, Russia, and Vietnam have sent humanitarian aid, with Panama in the midst of sending 90 tons of food and supplies, according to the nation's Secretary of Communication.
A call for action from Cuba's Civil Defense has enlisted the help of hundreds of thousands of Cubans in a joint effort to clean up the streets and debris from the hurricane.
Cuba is also now preparing for Hurricane Maria which is hurtling at 110 mph towards the Caribbean and is expected to turn into a Category 3 or 4 storm by 8 p.m. Monday, the National Hurricane Center reported.
Newsletter
