When Hurricane Melissa tore across eastern Cuba as a Category 3 storm, it left behind flooded streets, fallen trees, and damaged homes. Early Thursday morning, Joel Queipo Ruiz, president of the Provincial Defense Council in Holguín, reported that 275,000 people had been evacuated or were under protection in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, including 29,000 housed in evacuation centers.
Heavy rains persisted, with water levels continuing to rise in Cacocum, Urbano Noris, and Cueto, where protecting lives remained the top priority. The storm affected 35,000 hectares of planned crops, leaving fallen trees and widespread agricultural losses, and 29,000 landline customers experienced disrupted telephone service, particularly in the Moa entrance area.
Powerful winds struck multiple locations as the hurricane’s eye passed over 11 municipalities, and in Cueto, 30 homes remained underwater due to overflowing rivers, dams, and micro-dams, underscoring the ongoing challenges for recovery in both the agricultural and infrastructure sectors.
Yet even amid the destruction, life persisted in small, remarkable ways: babies were born in hospitals, neighbors helped each other, children carried belongings through the mud, and workers traveled long distances to restore essential services.
In the provinces of Santiago de Cuba and Granma, conditions have improved enough for recovery operations to begin. Roads, homes, and power lines remain damaged, but communities are organizing, and small victories are being celebrated.
Life Amid the Storm
At Orlando Pantoja Tamayo Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, hospital staff worked through the hurricane, safeguarding patients and equipment despite partial damage to the building. In the midst of the storm, 11 babies were born, according to a report by Granma.
Residents recall streets submerged in water, palm trees bending under fierce winds, and rivers swelling to heights unseen since Hurricane Flora decades ago. In some neighborhoods, children helped carry their families’ belongings from flooded homes. In others, neighbors formed human chains to move sandbags and rescue stranded pets.
A Nationwide Effort to Rebuild
In Pinar del Río, teams from the Cuban Telecommunications Company (ETECSA) set out at dawn for the eastern provinces, carrying poles, cables, and repair equipment, states Ronald Suárez Rivas. Lineman José Miguel Iglesias Valdés, who has worked through nine hurricanes, described the effort:
“We can load and install poles, string cables, and even assist Electric Company brigades when joint actions are needed. It’s hard because you leave your family behind, but it’s rewarding to help those who need it.”
ETECSA crews were joined by over 100 electrical workers, forestry teams, and heavy equipment operators from multiple sectors, all tasked with restoring power and communications. Forest companies in Guane and Sandino worked tirelessly to produce over 4,000 utility poles for the hardest-hit areas.
In Holguín, workers cleared fallen trees and debris, while local farmers salvaged what they could from flooded fields—green vegetables, drenched fruits, and surviving crops.
Transportation Slowly Returns
The Ministry of Transport began reopening bus routes connecting Camagüey, Las Tunas, and Holguín with western provinces (Granma Digital Edition). Rail lines remain closed while crews inspect and repair tracks, and airports are gradually reopening: Holguín’s Frank País International Airport resumed operations, while Santiago de Cuba’s Antonio Maceo Airport continues to handle only humanitarian aid flights. Passenger ferries between Nueva Gerona and Batabanó restarted, and ports in the east are operational after minor damage.
Support Beyond Borders
Cuba’s recovery extends beyond the island. In Mexico City, the José Martí Association of Cubans Residing in Mexico began collecting food and medicine for hurricane relief. Donors brought powdered milk, canned goods, syringes, cotton, and paracetamol to a local collection center.
Activist Olivia Garza emphasized the human connection:
“Solidarity cannot be blocked. Cubans living in Mexico and our friends will step forward to help the Cuban people in these moments of emergency.”
International support is beginning to flow as well. On October 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued a statement reaffirming that the U.S. “stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs.” The Department announced a Declaration of Humanitarian Assistance for Cuba, and confirmed it is prepared to provide immediate aid, both directly and through local partners who can deliver food, medicine, and other essential goods to those in need. Individuals seeking to contribute directly are encouraged to reach out to [email protected].
Soledad Quartucci, CEO, Latina Republic
Latina Republic envisions a world where the beauty and resilience of Latin American and Caribbean cultures are recognized and appreciated globally. By amplifying the voices of artists and cultural custodians, we strive to cultivate a deeper understanding of the region’s challenges and triumphs. Our goal is to inspire greater appreciation for the arts as a tool for empathy, unity, and transformative social change. Through our work, we aim to equip all stakeholders with essential insights for addressing regional challenges, ultimately enriching the global cultural landscape and portraying the victories and hardships of everyday life in Latin America.
