Cuba Reiterates Support to Ecuador in Reconstruction After Earthquake

Cuba reiterated here its solidarity and support to the government and people of Ecuador in the efforts to reconstruct the country after the earthquake that struck the nation in April. The island, along with the sister nations of Latin America and the Caribbean, was among the first ones to offer its solidarity to the Republic of Ecuador, said Anayansi Rodriguez, permanent representative of the island to the Office of the UN in this Swiss city, during a briefing on the issue with the Foreign Minister of this nation, Guillaume Long.

The 26 rescuers and the group of doctors from the Henry Reeve Brigade who worked in the province of Manabi, returned to our country with the satisfaction of accomplishment and deep conviction they contributed during a difficult time,it was pointed out.

Rodriguez explained that the Cuban health professionals, in 52 days of work, attended 10,400 people and performed more than 700 surgeries.

The diplomat thanked the "countless expressions of gratitude we received from the people and the Ecuadorian government, its National Assembly, which approved a legislative agreement under which the assistance provided by several countries, including Cuba's was recognized".

We have followed up on the information provided by international humanitarian agencies through which we confirm the support given to Ecuador by the Latin American nations, as well as the great effort being made by the government for the affected areas, she stressed.

Rodríguez also reiterated the call to the international community on the urgent need to intensify the provision of aid to Ecuador, since the damage caused by the earthquake exceeds the three billion dollars.

The government of the South American nation, making a great effort and in the midst of a difficult economic situation, has devoted enormous material and financial resources to the reconstruction of infrastructure and alleviating the situation faced by the population of the areas impacted by the quake, she concluded.