Oxfam Supporting Relief Efforts in Cuba

The
biggest impact of the recent hurricanes in Cuba is on farms, housing and other
infrastructure according to international agency, Oxfam. Hurricane Ike which
hit the country on Sunday is the fourth tropical cyclone, after Fay, Gustav and
Hannah, to hit Cuba
in just three weeks. The impact of heavy rains, winds and waves has been felt
across the island. Over 20 per centof the population has had to be
evacuated from their homes. Reports indicate that this is the worst
disaster to hit Cuba
since 1963.

Assessments
of the damage have been hindered due to the ongoing difficult weather
conditions and lack of electricity in the majority of the island. However, it
is known that over 1.2 million people have been directly affected by the
hurricanes; close to 30,000 homes have been destroyed.

Oxfam
has begun to mobilize funds from the public and governments to support the
distribution of non-food relief items to the most vulnerable.Oxfam
partners are prioritizing the replacement of agricultural tools and the
rebuilding of greenhouses and vegetable gardens so that food production can
resume as soon as possible.

'Oxfam
is urgently calling on the public to generously donate towards the
rehabilitation efforts in Cuba,
said Beat Schmid, coordinator for
Oxfam's work in Cuba.
'As the rains continue, we know people will need help as they begin
re-establishing their lives.

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Oxfam International
contacts in Cuba:

Beat
Schmid, coordinator Joint Program Oxfam International tel:
+53-5-2951881

Marc Ingelbrecht,
humanitarian lead Oxfam International tel: +32-4-93631703 until 21/9/08, and
+53-5-2899666 from 22/9/08 on.