U.S. Provides Hurricane Assistance to Cuba

Washington, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. government, through
the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has approved $100,000
in emergency relief funds to help meet the immediate needs of those in Cuba
affected by Hurricane Gustav.

On August 30, Hurricane Gustav passed over western Cuba as a Category Four
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with winds of 150 mph. The hurricane
produced heavy rains, and affected approximately 400,000 people, according to
the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

On September 3, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies reported seven deaths. In Isla de la Juventud Province, the
hurricane impacted more than 90,000 individuals, damaged homes and
infrastructure, and destroyed the electrical grid, according to Government of
Cuba officials. According to the Pinar del Rio Civil Defense Committee, the
hurricane damaged an estimated 86,000 homes, 80 electric towers, and 600
electric posts in Pinar del Rio Province. In addition, crops including
banana, citrus, coffee, rice, sugar cane, and tobacco sustained significant
damage, according to OCHA.

On September 3, U.S. Chief of Mission Jonathan D. Farrar issued a disaster
declaration in response to the effects of the hurricane.

For more information about USAID and its programs in support of the Cuban
people, please visit: www.usaid.gov.

Public Information: 202-712-4810

SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development

USAID Press Office +1-202-712-4320