Inter-American Division

Adventists in Cuba Unite to Aid Victims in the Aftermath of Hurricane Oscar

Church members across the island are collecting food and clothing to support those who have lost their homes.

Humanitarian

November 1, 2024

Libna Stevens, Inter-American Division

Aftermath of Category 1 Hurricane Oscar after it made landfall in Baracoa, the eastern region in Guatánamo, Cuba, on Oct. 20, 2024. The hurricane killed seven people, downed trees and damaged more than 1,000 homes in the seafront communities, among them church members.

[Photo: Julio César González]

Seventh-day Adventists across Cuba have been mobilizing to support hundreds of church members affected by Hurricane Oscar, which struck the eastern part of the island near Baracoa, Guantanamo, on Oct. 20, 2024. The Category 1 hurricane brought 13-foot waves to coastal communities, resulting in seven fatalities, and damaging over 1,000 homes, according to media reports.

Pastor Adaías Lores (left), president of Del Amanecer Conference in Cuba and Pastor Yoanny Mena (right), stand in front of the road to San Antonio in Guantánamo, in the aftermath of Hurricane Oscar.

“The major damage was in the municipalities of San Antonio del Sur and Imías, where rivers overflowed after three days without power throughout the entire island,” said Aldo Pérez, president of the Cuban Union, during a video message days after the storm. He encouraged church members to pray for those concentrated in the hardest-hit communities, noting that “we have one Adventist for every four persons in the mountains there.” Many families have lost everything, he added. Union leaders have not reported any deaths among church members.

In Imías, Karel Falcón and his wife Arelis, experienced the hurricane’s fury firsthand when they were surprised by rising waters in the middle of the night. “They tried to open the front door, but the pressure of the water prevented it, so they rushed to the back and escaped to the mountains,” shared Ireidys Pita, communication director of the Cuban Union. “Thanks to God, they were saved, but they lost everything in their house and are now staying with a neighbor.” Following the storm, Falcón quickly set out to reach local members in nearby communities.

One of many homes that were damaged after Hurricane Oscar took the roof and flooded the home in the eastern part of Cuba recently.

Communication has been challenging since many roads are impassable, and the hurricane struck while many residents were unaware and asleep. “Many of our brothers and sisters lived right on the seafront, and we are concerned for them,” Pita explained.

In response to the disaster, the Inter-American Division (IAD) has activated funding to assist affected members. “We activated disaster assistance according to our policy, and will keep an eye on the needs there,” said Ivelisse Herrera, treasurer of the IAD.

Pastor Roberto Soler (left) of the Boyeros Adventist Church in Havana, Cuba, raises his hand along with young members after they loaded clothing and donated items to go towards the victims of Hurricane Oscar earlier this week.

This week, food items such as rice, beans, oil, and pasta are being gathered and sent to the eastern region. Church leaders, including Pérez, loaded supplies into large vehicle for the over 1,000-kilometer drive to Imías and San Antonio del Sur. “Once they can assess the region, they will have more information about the church community there,” Pita added.

Churches throughout Havana and other parts of the island are also collecting food, blankets, and miscellaneous supplies for the affected members.

Adventurers siblings Celine and Matthew from the Boyeros Adventist Church in Havana, Cuba, hand some bags of clothes and other items to Pastor Ray Frómeta, youth ministries director of the Cuban Union to be loaded into the large vehicle union leaders would be taking to the most affected communities near Baracoa in Guantánamo on Nov. 1, 2024.

Roberto Soler, pastor of the Boyeros Adventist Church in Havana, worked with a group of young members to assemble bags of clothing and supplies donated by church members. “Several Pathfinders and Adventurers helped package the donated items for Baracoa,” Pita noted. “We praise God that many other districts, like Violeta-Bolivia-Grúa Nueva, as well as those from Potrerillo, Freyre, Morón and Ciego de Ávila have been able to support our brothers and sisters affected by the hurricane.”