While appeals continue to go out for aid to hurricane
victims, one of Belize's staunchest allies has weighed
in with a cash contribution far out of proportion to its
size. News 5 has learned that the Government of Cuba
today signed a letter of commitment to immediately
transfer the sum of fifty thousand U.S. dollars to the
Government of Belize for use in disaster relief.
According to Belize's Ambassador to Cuba, Amalia Mai,
negotiations have been underway to see what
additional assistance Cuba can provide in terms of
manpower and materials. That country already has
supplied Belize with construction workers and a
housing factory as well as doctors and nurses, many of
whom are currently working in Toledo and Stann Creek
as part of the relief effort. Last month Belize hosted
President of the Cuban National Assembly, Ricardo
Alarcon, in what was believed to be a prelude to be a
visit by President Fidel Castro. It is not certain
whether that event, believed to be scheduled for
November, will still take place as planned.