International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Appeals via the Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS)

Published purpose

November 2012 - Hurricane Sandy made landfall on Cuba on October 25 as a category two hurricane, with wind speeds up to 175 km/h. Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and Guantanamo in eastern Cuba are the most affected provinces, where an estimated 3 million people were affected by the impact of the hurricane. Sandy had significant urban implications, leaving thousands of people in Santiago de Cuba without homes and without access to electricity and to potable water. In addition, damage to agriculture and food stocks was extensive. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is part of the largest humanitarian network in the world. The Federation is comprised of 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and can count on almost 97 million volunteers, supporters and staff worldwide. With CIDA support, the IFRC in Cuba is providing humanitarian assistance, through the Cuban Red Cross, to more than 175,000 hurricane-affected people. Project activities focus on providing essential household items, emergency shelter, safe water, hygiene kits and hygiene promotional materials to the affected populations in the eastern Cuban provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguin and Guantanamo.