Hurricane “Gustav” hit Cuba in the end of August. Cuba and the entire Caribbean region are victims of frequent hurricanes, in much the same way the eastern coast of our country and Bangladesh are regularly hit by cyclonic storms. The Cuban government and people however have a different attitude to such disasters than the government of India. This can be seen in their reaction to Hurricane “Gustav”.

Cuba has worked out a method of dealing with such disasters. As soon as it became clear that the Hurricane was going to hit the provinces Pinar Del Rio and Habana, and the Isle of youth, measures were taken to protect the lives of people. 467,000 people were protected and 61,000 transferred to shelters. Electricity was turned off in the affected provinces, to prevent electrocution from falling poles. Emergency food was arranged for the evacuated people. As a result of these and other measures, not one single life was lost.

Immediately after the passing of the hurricane, the Cuban government and people began the phase called “recuperation phase”. 90,000 homes were damaged in Pinar Del Rio province alone, according to preliminary figures. 503 schools were damaged. As soon as the hurricane passed, reconstruction and repair work has begun. Teams of workers arrived from other provinces to carry out the repairs, and construction material has been organized on a war footing. The restoration of electricity is being organized on emergency basis. Target dates for the restoration of electricity and the restarting of classes have been set, so that there is minimum disruption of life. The seriousness of the Cuban government and people can be seen in the fact that September 8, 2008 was set as the date of reopening of schools in the affected areas, with electricity supply restored earlier.

In the Isle of Youth, one of the worst hit regions, Cuban freighters carried food, water and other supplies for the affected populace. Work to restore the electricity network has begun. It has been estimated that recovery will take 15 days.

Hurricane Gustav has set back the Cuban economy considerably. However the people of Cuba and their government are resolutely trying to overcome the damages and put their lives back on the rails. The main difference in the way Cuba deals with disasters as compared to India is that the people and the government actually consider it a national disaster and contribute to the complete recovery of the affected population. People are not left to fend for themselves. Neither are disasters an occasion for capitalists and others to make profits from the miseries of the people.