In a rare move, Cuba donates cash for Iris relief

While appeals continue to go out for aid to hurricane victims, one of Belize’s staunchest allies has weighed in with a cash contribution far out of proportion to its size. News 5 has learned that the Government of Cuba today signed a letter of commitment to immediately transfer the sum of fifty thousand U.S. dollars to the Government of Belize for use in disaster relief. According to Belize’s Ambassador to Cuba, Amalia Mai, negotiations have been underway to see what additional assistance Cuba can provide in terms of manpower and materials. That country already has supplied Belize with construction workers and a housing factory as well as doctors and nurses, many of whom are currently working in Toledo and Stann Creek as part of the relief effort. Last month Belize hosted President of the Cuban National Assembly, Ricardo Alarcon, in what was believed to be a prelude to be a visit by President Fidel Castro. It is not certain whether that event, believed to be scheduled for November, will still take place as planned.