Source: http://www.belize.gov.bz/pressoffice/press_releases/24-10-2005-4234.shtml

The Embassy of Cuba in Belize and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture wish to inform all parties concerned about the status of Belizean students in Cuba in the wake of Hurricane Wilma.

The Embassy reports that 117 optic patients and 146 students from Belize are safe and secure in Cuba.  The optic patients were relocated from Marina Hemingway (the resort they currently reside) to a safer location because of Hemingway’s proximity to the sea. 

Students at the Latin American School of Medicine have already returned to school and those students studying Engineering at the Center at ISPJAE remained at school.

There are presently no reports of any death(s) in the wake of Hurricane Wilma.  The Cuban Government had evacuated 693,000, of which more than 20,000 were residents living along coastline areas, particularly in North Havana City and Pinar del Rio.

A nationwide assessment of damages is still pending but it is evident that considerable damage exists particularly in the northern areas of Havana and west of the Pinar del Rio province where the water surge was record breaking.  Havana City’s five coastline municipalities are flooded, reaching up to seven blocks into the City from the “Malecon”.

The Cuban Government has deployed all resources and manpower to protect those persons living along coastline areas of Havana City and to recover from the damages brought on by Hurricane Wilma.

There are more than 100,000 service personnel with multiple means of transportation, 960 machines and 469 portable communication equipment at their disposal who are currently on the ground and working around the clock to protect the citizens and places of economic interest.

The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture is pleased to report that ALL Belizean students currently located in the affected areas of Cuba have been contacted and accounted for.  The Embassy of Belize in Cuba will reopen as of tomorrow, Tuesday, October 25, 2005.
Parents wishing to send provisions, donations, or supplies should note that a direct flight from Belize to Cuba is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2005.

Further information can be obtained from the TACA Airlines Office at the Philip Goldson International Airport, the Embassy of Cuba in Belize, and the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Rafael R. Sosa
Public Relations Officer
Ministry of Education
Telephone: (501) 822-2329/3353 Ext. 80918 or 227-0205
Cell: (501) 623-3133
Fax: (501) 822-3389 or 223-7071
E-mail: rsosa27@hotmail.com