UNESCO Supports the Recovery of Schools in Cuba Affected by Hurricanes

The project, entitled “Socio-emotional Route to Rebuild Hope,” will begin next week and extend until March 2025 in the provinces most affected: Havana, Artemisa, Granma, and Guantánamo. Nov 29, 2024 Photo: @UNESCOHabana

November 29, 2024 Hour: 4:34 pm

According to a UNESCO statement, this first phase of the project will focus on schools most affected by Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael, which caused devastation and human losses.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) representation in Cuba has launched a joint initiative with the Ministry of Education to support the recovery of schools that were damaged by recent hurricanes on the island.

The project, entitled “Socio-emotional Route to Rebuild Hope,” will begin next week and extend until March 2025 in the provinces most affected: Havana, Artemisa, Granma, and Guantánamo.

According to a UNESCO statement, this first phase of the project will focus on schools most affected by Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael, which caused devastation and human losses.

💬 Brindaremos apoyo socioemocional, capacitando a docentes de las escuelas afectadas.

📚 Contribuiremos a la continuidad educativa de comunidades afectadas con materiales de enseñanza.

💡 Financiaremos proyectos escolares liderados por jóvenes de estas escuelas. pic.twitter.com/S4VdsajsjD
— UNESCO La Habana, Oficina Regional de Cultura (@UNESCOHabana) November 29, 2024

“This first set of schools will benefit from institutional teaching kits and classrooms to ensure educational continuity, socio-emotional support days, and a seed fund for youth-led initiatives,” the press release details.

The initiative aims to benefit more than 3,500 students and 500 teachers and has managed to raise $30,000 for its implementation, according to the state agency Prensa Latina.

This effort comes against a backdrop where both hurricanes caused damage to 876 educational facilities across the country, creating an urgent need for educational and emotional support.

Hurricane Oscar hit the island on October 20 as a Category 1 hurricane, causing severe damage to Baracoa and resulting in a tragic toll of eight lives lost. Hurricane Rafael subsequently made landfall in early November as a Category 3 hurricane, producing winds of up to 185 kilometers per hour and heavy rainfall.

UNESCO, together with the Cuban Ministry of Education, seeks not only to rebuild damaged infrastructure but also to provide emotional support to affected students and educators, recognizing the importance of emotional well-being in the educational process.

With this initiative, it is hoped that educational communities can begin to heal and rebuild their future after the devastating effects of these natural phenomena.