Plan of Action - United Nations System in Cuba: Disaster Response - Summary (November 2024)

Overview

In 20 days, Cuba faced two hurricanes and two earthquakes, alongside an energy crisis that disrupted the national power grid on 18 October. Hurricane Oscar struck Guantánamo on 20 October as a Category 1 storm, affecting nearly 500,000 people, with 150,000 in critical need, and eight fatalities. On 6 November, Hurricane Rafael hit Artemisa as a Category 3 storm, affecting nearly 800,000 people across four provinces.

Days later, earthquakes measuring 6.0 and 6.7 struck Granma and Santiago de Cuba, damaging homes and key infrastructure. Nearly 50,000 homes were affected by the hurricanes and earthquakes, and around 40,000 hectares of farmland were damaged, disrupting food supplies and livelihoods.

Access the full Plan of Action here.