International Ministries

Photos of the Hurricane's Destruction of Santiago, Cuba

November 2, 2012 News
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Pastor Osbel Gutierrez of 4th Baptist Santiago Church in Cuba sent dozens of photos of the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  We share these photos with you in the belief that you will join us in praying for the people of Cuba.

Pastor Gutierrez toured the neighborhoods taking pictures, some of which show the members of his church doing what they can to provide relief and comfort.  Despite loosing the roof from their church, the members of 4th Baptist Santiago are using their generator to help feed the hungry, give people somewhere to recharge flashlights and cell phones, and a place to watch the news on TV.   Another 35 churches in the Eastern Cuba Baptist Convention in the Santiago area have opened community kitchens to help those who don't have food or cooking utensils and pots. 

The city of Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city in Cuba and it has been declared "unrecognizable" and a "disaster".  According to our mission partners in Santiago, 70% of the buildings suffered damage - mainly to their roofs and walls.  There is no electricity and it is not expected to be restored for a month which means that safe drinking water will also be unavailable.  Food is scarce and becoming increasingly expensive.  Stores are quickly running out of basic supplies - this in a country where supplies are limited and given out using ration cards.  

Other affected cities include Bayamo and Holguin which were directly in the path of Hurricane Sandy's destruction.  Many other regions are still flooded.  

To send relief to the people of Cuba and elsewhere in the Caribbean that were affected by Hurricane Sandy, click here.  

To read additional journals and news stories about the devastation in the Caribbean, click here