Cuba
Storm, 25 Nov 2024
| Allocation | $5,999,888 |
|---|---|
| Emergency type | Storm |
| Window | Rapid Response |
| Recipient UN Agencies | FAO, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP, WHO |
| Group of people targeted | Other affected persons |
| Number of people targeted | 359,175 |
| Status | Under Implementation |
| Allocation code | CERF-CUB-24-RR-1432 |
| Title | CERF Rapid Response: Cuba Nov 2024 (Hurricane Rafael) |
Overview of the humanitarian situation
On 6 November 2024, Hurricane Rafael made landfall as a category 3 storm at Playa Majana in Artemisa Province, causing widespread destruction across western Cuba, including Havana, several municipalities in Mayabeque, and the special municipality of Isla de la Juventud. Some 3.5 million people in five provinces were exposed to the hurricane for nearly three hours adding to the half-million affected by Hurricane Oscar in eastern Cuba just three weeks earlier (which devastated the Eastern part of Cuba and caused eight casualties). Approximately 267,000 people were evacuated. More than 20,000 houses were damaged, and several hundred collapsed. Public health infrastructure has been severely impacted with 113 of the 178 (or 63%) health institutions reporting damages just in Artemisa, severely constraining the ability to respond to possible adverse epidemiological or health effects of the disaster. Some 228 schools reported damage, mainly to their roofs. Half of Artemisa Province and a quarter of Havana's population (about 750,000 people) were without access to running water, exacerbating sanitation issues and heightening the risk of vector-born disease outbreaks in a context of high incidence of dengue and Oropouche. Given that agriculture in Artemisa and Mayabeque supplies food to Havana, food security in the region is at serious risk after the damage of 16,000 hectares. Banana plantations were devastated, yucca trees downed, vegetables and sweet potatoes were among the worst-hit crops, irrigation machines overturned. Poultry farms, warehouses and production facilities were destroyed. The country team has compiled an Action Plan to address humanitarian needs with a coordinated, multisector strategy and to expand the UN response to affected territories. The UN has estimated a funding requirements of approximately $70 million for response and early recovery efforts.
CERF-funded assistance
In response to the crisis, The ERC allocated $6 million for its Rapid Response window. This funding enables UN agencies and partners to provide life-saving assistance to 359,175 people, including 139,921 women, 140,913 men, 78,341 children, and 11,201 people with disabilities in the Food Security, Health (including sexual and reproductive health), Shelter and NFIs, WASH and Educations sectors. Given Cuba’s unique financial constraints, CERF funding is critical for activating additional resources and providing an immediate response to the most vulnerable populations.