Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is receiving donations for Caribbean hurricane relief in the wake of hurricanes and tropical storms that have affected countries in the Caribbean, including Cuba.  Decisions about the distribution of relief will be made in the coming days in collaboration with church partners and with ACT (Action by Churches Together). 

On September 7, Hurricane Ike approached the eastern end of the Cuban island as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 215 km/h. It made landfall at 10:00 pm (local time) in Punta Lucrecia, Holguín, before weakening to a Category 3 hurricane and pursuing its course westward, along the southern shore of the island.

Four people were killed by the storm, reports the Associated Press. Massive waves, strong wind and storm surge have caused extensive damage. Although these could not yet be quantified, television reports have shown the storm surge inundating villages and crop fields, leaving destroyed houses and electric poles knocked down.

The Cuban government, through its civil defense, and supporting structures had prepared the country for the disaster according to pre-established contingency plans and an evaluation done in cooperation with the Cuban Meteorological Institute. An estimated 2 million people were evacuated as a preventive measure, and a growing portion of the population continues to be evacuated from flooded areas.

It is estimated that 12 out of the 14 provinces of the country are affected, as well as the Isla de la Juventud, representing a total of 9 million inhabitants.

Hurricane Gustav had badly struck the province of Pinar del Rio and the Isla de la Juventud a week ago, destroying houses, schools and most of the telephone and electricity lines. The population was barely starting to recover from the previous disaster when Hurricane Ike hit.