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In Cuba's East, Solidarity Proves Crucial to Hurricane Recovery

IN PICTURES: After the devastating passage of Hurricane Matthew through the socialist island nation, Cubans worked intensely to recover from the damage.

While socialist Cuba was spared from the worst of Hurricane Matthew's deadly force, cities such as Baracoa in the country's east were slammed much harder than expected.

While waves annihilated cement buildings and bridges and violent gale-force winds ripped off roofs and knocked down walls—destroying over half of Baracoa's buildings—no lives were lost thanks to the island nation's highly-effective hurricane evacuation system.

The comprehensive disaster preparedness and professionalism of the country's Committees for the Defense of the Revolution, schools, and Revolutionary Armed Forces are world-renowned.

Amidst the intensive recovery efforts in Baracoa, Cuban President Raul Castro visited the city and presided over a working meeting to plan further efforts to bounce back from the effects of the Category 4 storm. 

teleSUR takes a look at the Cuban people's vigorous efforts to minimize the damage of Hurricane Matthew.

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Damaged houses after Hurricane Matthew struck Baracoa, Cuba, Oct. 7, 2016.
Damaged houses after Hurricane Matthew struck Baracoa, Cuba, Oct. 7, 2016. Photo:Reuters
People transport beds on the roof of a vintage car, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016.
People transport beds on the roof of a vintage car, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016. Photo:Reuters
A man throws a bag with clothes from his balcony after Hurricane Matthew in Baracoa, Cuba, Oct. 7, 2016.
A man throws a bag with clothes from his balcony after Hurricane Matthew in Baracoa, Cuba, Oct. 7, 2016. Photo:Reuters
An army helicopter flies over damaged buildings, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016.
An army helicopter flies over damaged buildings, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Yanet Maceo (L) helps her mother after the storm, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016
Yanet Maceo (L) helps her mother after the storm, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016 Photo:Reuters
Clothes are put to dry at the sea front, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016.
Clothes are put to dry at the sea front, Baracoa, Cuba Oct. 7, 2016. Photo:Reuters
Recovery efforts began without delay on the socialist island, demonstrating the continued vitality of the revolutionary ethos of the Cuban people.
Recovery efforts began without delay on the socialist island, demonstrating the continued vitality of the revolutionary ethos of the Cuban people. Photo:Granma
Collection of debris in the streets of Baracoa. The city was severely affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Collection of debris in the streets of Baracoa. The city was severely affected by Hurricane Matthew. Photo:EFE
Electrical workers went to work as soon as the rain stopped.
Electrical workers went to work as soon as the rain stopped. Photo:Granma
The country's military has persistently addressed the needs of the people.
The country's military has persistently addressed the needs of the people. Photo:Cuban News Agency
Trees fell across the city due to gale-force winds.
Trees fell across the city due to gale-force winds. Photo:Venceremos
The people of Baracoa worked tirelessly to minimize the damage wrought by the hurricane to the province of Guantanamo.
The people of Baracoa worked tirelessly to minimize the damage wrought by the hurricane to the province of Guantanamo. Photo:Granma
The joy of children, however, encouraged residents to work hard to recover from the traumatic experience of the hurricane.
The joy of children, however, encouraged residents to work hard to recover from the traumatic experience of the hurricane. Photo:Granma
Residents and companies from throughout the country united in their efforts to assist Baracoa, the oldest city in the socialist island nation.
Residents and companies from throughout the country united in their efforts to assist Baracoa, the oldest city in the socialist island nation. Photo:EFE
Cuban President Raul Castro held a working meeting Monday at the Municipal Defense Council of Maisi, one of the hardest-hit areas in eastern Guantanamo province.
Cuban President Raul Castro held a working meeting Monday at the Municipal Defense Council of Maisi, one of the hardest-hit areas in eastern Guantanamo province. Photo:Cuban News Agency
Published 11 October 2016
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