The organization Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC) proposed in the call to conduct “a short and intensive campaign” to raise as much money as possible for Cubans “in these difficult times”, an initiative supported by a group in the city has already started from Calgary, Alberta.
Cuban firefighters are bringing all their skills and courage to put out the flames, but it is difficult and costly to counter this disaster, which has so far left one dead and 16 missing and injured at least 120 people, the CNC said in its publication .
The movement recognized the help of countries like Mexico and Venezuela, the offer of Russia and Bolivia and other nations, and the technical advice of the United States.
Other Canada-based solidarity organizations with Cuba are also preparing in-kind donations to support the island in the event of the incident at an industrial area in the western city of Matanzas, about 100 kilometers east of Havana.
The Association of Cuban Residents in Toronto, Juan Gualberto Gómez, assured that he is working to send several urgent supplies to the Caribbean country this week, and reiterated the importance of contributing to the purchase of certain medical supplies.
So did the Calixto García Solidarity Brigade, which joined the Calgary group to raise the funds needed to purchase medicines to be shipped from Toronto to Matanzas.
So far, Cuba has received 22 donations from governments, institutions and solidarity movements to deal with the disaster.
The major fire at Matanzas Super Tanker Base is currently in a very complicated situation and its smothering could take several days, according to Fire Brigade Chief Colonel Alexander Ávalos.
Since last Friday, when lightning struck one of the oil tanks, the eerie unleashed on a large scale that has so far left one dead, 14 missing and 122 injured. Of these, the last 101 have already been released.
or/avr