Cuban Journalists Stand in Solidarity with Those Affected by Hurricane Melissa

The Union of Cuban Journalists (UPEC) today called upon its membership to actively participate in a support campaign for the eastern provinces affected by the recent passage of Hurricane Melissa.

In a letter signed by the organization's National Presidency, recognition is given to the "comprehensive and rigorous informational coverage" provided by Cuban media during the emergency phase of the meteorological phenomenon.

It further notes that this journalistic deployment was commended by the National Defense Council and that media professionals now have the social responsibility to accompany the people in the recovery stage.

For this purpose, the UPEC will coordinate with the Committees for the Defense of the Revolution (CDR) the reception, sorting, and distribution of material donations that journalistic collectives manage to gather.

In territories outside of Havana, the local UPEC delegations may deliver their contributions at municipal or provincial CDR headquarters, according to the schedules and deadlines established by that mass organization, the communiqué details.

It specifies that in Havana, donations collected by national and provincial media outlets can be delivered directly to the national CDR headquarters, located on Línea Street between L and K.

The message states that in case of logistical difficulties for transportation, the collectives can contact the respective UPEC sector presidents to seek alternatives that guarantee the aid reaches its destination.

The UPEC Presidency also requested that all delegations inform their provincial or sector directors about the donations delivered, to facilitate the follow-up of this solidarity mobilization.

Concurrently, the organization states it is maintaining direct contact with the UPEC presidents in Granma, Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Las Tunas, and Guantánamo—the most impacted provinces—to identify colleagues and their families who have suffered material damages, with the goal of channeling specific and personalized support.

"We are confident that, in keeping with the humanism and social sensitivity that have always distinguished us, the membership of our UPEC will rise to the occasion of this altruistic and generous call," the message concludes.