New York (VNA) – Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, has expressed sympathy to Cuba over the immense losses and damage caused by recent Hurricane Oscar, affirming Vietnam's solidarity and friendship with the Government and people of Cuba in their recovery from the disaster and overcoming economic difficulties.
Addressing a briefing held by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on November 5 on the response to and recovery from Hurricane Oscar as well as the UN's response plan, Giang said that through bilateral channels, Vietnam has provided Cuba with 10,000 tonnes of rice.
Vietnam is ready to do its utmost to support the Cuban Government and people in overcoming the current challenges, the diplomat stated.
Stressing that Cuba has a long-standing tradition of humanitarian support, a country that always responds quickly, timely, and actively in giving assistance to other countries when they are in need, Giang said that this is the turn for the international community to help Cuba overcome its current difficulties.
According to the UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba Francisco Pichón, Hurricane Oscar, which struck on October 20, killed eight people, destroyed over 10,000 houses, and severely damaged infrastructure, schools, and hospitals, impacting the lives of nearly 500,000 people in Cuba's Guantanamo province. The hurricane hit the country at a time when Cuba was already facing significant socio-economic challenges and a nationwide power outage.
The UN has built a response plan that aims to raise 33 million USD to provide assistance to the needy, Pichón said, calling on the international community to give a helping hand to Cuba./.
