Between August 30 and September 9, 2008, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike caused extensive damage in Cuba, making them the most destructive hurricanes in the country's history. Over 3 million Cubans were evacuated successfully without any loss of life thanks to Cuba's civil defense preparations. Hundreds of thousands of homes were damaged, with over 63,000 destroyed. Immediate needs have been addressed but food shortages are expected in the next six months if support is not received. The document encourages donations to support relief efforts through organizations like IFCO/Pastors for Peace.

1. Hurricane Relief for Cuba What can WE do to help? Created by the Chicago Friends of Cuba 10/4/08

2. Between August 30 and September 9, 2008, the combined action of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike unquestionably made them the most destructive in the history of Cuba with respect to the magnitude of the material damage caused.

7. As Cuba is known to do, as soon as risk possibilities are forecast, the country’s first priority in these circumstances is to safeguard human life.

8. Cubans have prepared for years to confront natural disasters thanks to an energetic and farsighted Civil Defence

9. In total, 3,179,846 people were protected from these two hurricanes — 2,772,615 during Ike — only about 500,000 of whom were in evacuation centers; the rest received solidarity shelter from friends and neighbors.

12. More than 10,000 means of transport were employed, and hundreds of shelters outfitted for the occasion. In addition, as a consequence of the measures adapted for Ike, 176,113 students were returned home from their boarding schools, and 2,818 tourists were relocated.

14. Between the two meteorological events, not a single province escaped their threat and impact. Hundreds thousands were directly affected.

18. In western Cuba, serious impacts were reported on the electric power infrastructure.

22. 4,500 posts knocked down, 530 transformers broken and 5,000 streetlights damaged.

24. Unquestionably, one of the most calamitous effects of Gustav and Ike was on housing: more than 444,000 homes damaged, a large number of them with partially or totally destroyed roofs and other impacts; and of that total, 63,249 houses completely demolished.

29. The Cuban government did not waste a single minute and, within a few hours, began sending material resources from its reserves to the affected territories, even though it was not possible for everything to get to everybody immediately.

30. The people’s solidarity was present from the first moment, and there are many examples of that.

33. Support from the outside has not been lacking, either. The authorities of many governments, agencies and institutions have sent aid. The seeds of Cuban internationalist conduct and solidarity have been germinating for decades.

34. Immediate emergency needs have been met as best as possible, but the Cuban government warns that the country faces six months of food shortage if immediate, drastic steps are not taken. And…..the U.S. blockade adds insult to injury making an already challenging situation even more difficult.

35. We’re better than our current policy towards Cuba. We have a people to people foreign policy!

36. WE can help……

38. IFCO/Pastors for Peace is organizing a construction brigade of skilled craftspeople to travel down as soon as possible. They will also send a caravan of much needed material aid. They need financial donations to make this happen in a timely fashion. Visit their web site at www.ifconews.org and click on donate or call (212) 926-5757.

39. A comprehensive list of other organizations that are collecting hurricane relief is available at: http://www.democracyinamericas.org/Hurricane_Ike/Gustav_Relief

40. Whether you decide to : -plan a large event -host a small house party Or click on a link and send a contribution online please join us in sending aid and solidarity to the Cuban people.

41. THANK YOU!

42. To donate online go to www.ifconews.org or write to p4p@igc.org

43. To get involved in Chicago, write to: [email_address]