The global alliance Action by Churches Together (ACT) has been busy helping victims left homeless in the Granma region of Cuba after Hurricane Dennis ravaged the island between 7 and 9 July.

ACT has been working to re-house approximately 700 homeless, many of whom continue to shelter temporarily in schools and other public buildings after their houses were partially destroyed in the violent winds.

José Marin, the liaison officer for religious matters, accompanied a delegation of the Cuban Council of Churches (CCC) – a member of ACT International – to the region. He said: “One of our major priorities is to get families whose home were partially destroyed and with roofs blown away back in their homes as soon as possible.”

In total 23,000 roofs in Granma were partially or completely ruined by the hurricane. An impressive 7,000 have already been repaired.

Vice-president of the administrative council of the Province in Granma Juan González said: “Hurricane Dennis was the worst hurricane to hit Cuba’s Granma province in years. The damages and casualties were the highest even though the country has experienced several category 4 and 5 hurricanes the last four years.”

He continued: “For most in Granma, we are not accustomed to having hurricanes pass this area of Cuba. The last cyclone was Flora in 1963. The effect of Dennis has been devastating in our region. 42,000 homes have been damaged. Of these, 15,000 were totally destroyed. 360 schools are in need of repairs and 29 will need to be totally rebuilt.”

CCC has also been busy in the region working with local church networks to provide support and materials for those who are still displaced.

“Our goal is to provide food for a month to 1,000 families and to senior citizens and pregnant women in Piron and Niquero, two municipalities in Granma,” says CCC president Rhode Gonzales. This is an area of great need and very far from Havana or other major cities.”

CCC will also provide health kits, sewing kits, mattresses and sheets to families.