Venezuela sends new shipments of aid to Cuba, Haiti after Hurricane Matthew

The government of Venezuela sent on Saturday two shipments of equipment and supply to help rebuild houses and infrastructure in Cuba and Haiti, after Hurricane Matthew caused damages there.

The two ships left the port of La Guaira, 28 km from Caracas, bounded for Havana and Port-au-Prince.

The Minister of Interior Relations, Justice and Peace, Nestor Reverol, told Venezolana de Television, that the government had established an "international, humanitarian corridor to help our brothers" in both Caribbean nations.

Both countries will get a small wet mortar production facility, each able to produce 120 tons of cement and 200 square meters of material a day. Furthermore, Cuba will get 37,500 square meters of sheeting, while Haiti will get 27,500 square meters of the same to help restore homes.

On Oct. 10, the Venezuelan government sent 20 tons of emergency aid to Haiti, mostly medicine, such as antibiotics and painkillers, to deal with the immediate health crisis caused by Matthew. A team of 40 doctors also arrived in the country, where the hurricane killed at least 1,000 people according to media reports.

Venezuela also sent to Haiti 450 tons of machinery to help remove rubble, restore roadways and rebuild bridges.

On Oct. 11, Venezuela sent 327 tons of aid to Cuba, joining 335 tons of machinery previously sent, in order to help the eastern regions of the island battered by Matthew. Enditem