Home » News » ACN expresses solidarity with Cuba after the devastating passage of the hurricane

ACN expresses solidarity with Cuba after the devastating passage of the hurricane

The organisation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) expresses its deep sorrow and closeness to the Cuban people following the passage of the powerful hurricane that has struck the eastern region of the country, leaving behind a catastrophe of enormous proportions.

Although the material damage has been immense in both cities and rural areas, also affecting agriculture, no human casualties have been reported so far.

The hurricane has caused much damage all across the Caribbean

According to the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba (COCC), hundreds of thousands of people have been severely affected: numerous homes and churches have been damaged, many families have lost everything, and the situation is worsened by the shortage of basic goods and prolonged power outages.

All this adds to the existing economic crisis and to the epidemiological situation affecting the population, due to four circulating arboviral diseases transmitted by mosquitoes, which multiply during the rainy season.

“The Shrine of Our Lady of El Cobre has also been affected in its doors, windows, stained-glass windows, and surrounding areas,” reported Mons. Arturo, president of the Episcopal Conference of Cuba, in a message addressed to ACN. “The situation in the eastern zone, above all, is very critical. There are places that are totally devastated. In the next 72 hours, the immediate effects of the hurricane will continue to be felt,” he said.

Large parts of the island were affected, including Church property

The prelate thanked ACN for its solidarity: “Thank you for your concern. Thank you very much for your prayers. So far, we have no human losses to mourn, thanks be to God. Please keep praying. We remain in communication. God bless you,” he added.

ACN invites all benefactors to pray for the Cuban people, for the families who suffer, and for the Church that continues to accompany with hope those most in need. May, in this time of sorrow, the protection of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, patroness of Cuba, strengthen the hope of the Cuban people.

For decades, ACN has supported and shown solidarity with bishops, priests, religious, and lay people in Cuba, and assures that it will continue to offer aid and assistance to the local Church, as it has done in previous times of hardship.

Don't miss the latest updates!

South Sudan: The bishop who brought his diocese back to life

When Bishop Stephen Nyodho was appointed for the Diocese of…

Statement on desecration of Christian statue in Lebanon

ACN calls on all to pray for the Christian communities…

Equatorial Guinea’s spiritual preparation for historic Papal trip

The local Church hopes that there will be a “before…

Aid worker says people feel “dehumanised” as Lebanon buckles under bombings

Among the priorities is the reopening of schools and paying…

Middle East: Holy Week begins under the sign of the cross

ACN expresses concern over Palm Sunday restrictions in Jerusalem, Syria…

Paschal hope among the ruins in Gaza

Holy Week has begun against a backdrop of persistent war…

South Sudan: The bishop who brought his diocese back to life

When Bishop Stephen Nyodho was appointed for the Diocese of Malakal everything had been destroyed. No buildings, no services, and no flock. With courage and leading by example, he began...

Ukraine: Nuncio warns of growing fatigue and spiritual needs amid war

Archbishop Kulbokas describes the reality of the front line and the role of priests accompanying soldiers. The Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, has described the situation in the...

Holy Land increasingly emptied of Christians: “We dream of reaching even 5%, but we are far from that”

In an address to representatives of Aid to the Church in Need, Benedictine Abbot Nikodemus Schnabel offered a stark and personal account of the fragile and rapidly shrinking Christian presence...