On Tuesday afternoon, the National Defence Council, headed by Miguel Díaz-Canel, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, met with the authorities of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Artemisa, Mayabeque and Havana to review the progress of recovery after the hurricanes and earthquakes that have recently hit the country.

According to the X account of the Presidency, it was reported that in Santiago de Cuba, which suffered two earthquakes last Sunday, aftershocks continue to occur, with more than 70 in the eastern zone. There, the recovery of health, education and housing institutions has begun, the latter numbering 234. Meanwhile, in Granma, 10 people have been injured by the earthquakes. In that province, the damage to infrastructure amounted to 3,518, including 54 total collapses. In addition, 59 health institutions and 109 education institutions were damaged. Vicente de la O Levy, Minister of Energy and Mines, explained that all the municipalities affected by the earthquakes now have electricity, which was possible thanks to the cooperation of the people, who immediately joined in to help the linemen. Likewise, water pumping and communications have been re-established in the area.

In Artemisa, 16 electrical brigades are working and support continues to arrive from various provinces, as the work is very complex and so far only 4.58 per cent (%) of the population has been able to receive service. There are 425 generators in vital centres and the authorities reported that 72% of landline telephony has been restored and 50% of mobile telephony. Water service has been restored to 51.2% of the population.

In Artemisa 87 schools begin classes tomorrow, Wednesday. In Mayabeque it was explained that 93% of electricity has been restored and that some 20 settlements still do not have this service. Water has reached 92.2% of the population, with some 29,000 people without a pumped water supply. In Havana, electricity has been restored to 98.37%, with Boyeros being the most difficult municipality.

The water supply in the capital is at 76.2%, with 348,000 people affected, which should be improving. Meanwhile, damage to homes amounts to 2,329. At the meeting, the head of state acknowledged the way in which the recovery work has been carried out, with synchrony between all the leadership bodies and the support of the Armed Forces, the Ministry of the Interior and the people, who have been very disciplined and participatory.