Irma: Cuba sends hundreds of doctors to Caribbean islands devastated by hurricane
More than 750 health workers arrive in Antigua, Barbuda, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, Dominica and Haiti
Cuba has sent doctors to several Caribbean islands ravaged by Hurricane Irma.
More than 750 health workers have arrived in Antigua, Barbuda, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Saint Lucia, the Bahamas, Dominica and Haiti.
They have been told to follow the guidelines of the Ministry of Public Health (Minsap) and to contribute to aiding the recovery of regions that have been hit by the hurricane.
"The collaboration of the Central Medical Cooperation Unit, together with the Minsap Management Center, and our embassies, have maintained the communication to assess the damages and assess what help our own collaborators could provide," Regla Angulo Pardo, the director of the Central Unit of Medial Cooperation in Cuba, told Granma.
The nation of 11 million people has a history of sending medical staff when other nations are in need, having done so during west Africa's Ebola crisis in 2014 and 2015.
A brigade of more than 600 Cuban health workers went to Sierra Leone in 2014 to help tackle the crisis.
They also sent 1,200 health workers to Haiti after the nation was hit with an earthquake in 2010.
Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures
Show all 45
Hurricane Irma – devastation caused in pictures
1/45
Recently planted palm trees lie strewn across the road as Hurricane Irma passes by in Miami Beach, Fla. 10 September 2017.
AP
2/45
Damage outside the Mercure hotel in Marigot, on the Bay of Nettle, on the island of Saint-Martin
AFP/Getty Images
3/45
People pick up debris in Fajardo as Hurricane Irma howled past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands
Reuters/Alvin Baez
4/45
Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The category 4 hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba. 10 September 2017
Getty Images
5/45
A Royal Air Force Puma has been delivered to the US Virgin Islands to assist with the humanitarian efforts post Hurricane Irma. The Puma will be delivering Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief in support of the Department for International Development.
Royal Air Force logisticians from RAF Brize Norton have assisted with the delivery of military personnel and aid cargo to the Caribbean to support disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. RAF aircraft including, C-17 A400M and Voyager are supporting a Joint Task Force of RAF, Royal Marines, Army and RN personnel who are supporting the Department for International Development as it delivers aid to stricken Caribbean Islands.
MoD
6/45
Flamingos at Zoo Miami, are shown in a temporary enclosure in a hurricane resistant structure within the zoo, Saturday, 9 September 2017 in Miami. Though most animals will reman in their secure structures, the cheetahs and some birds will ride out the storm in temporary housing.
AP
7/45
Boats are seen at a marina in South Beach as Hurricane Irma arrives at south Florida, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. 10 September 2017
Reuters
8/45
Storm clouds are seen over Fisher Island as Hurricane Irma approaches on 9 September 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4
Getty Images
9/45
Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by. 10 September 2017
AP
10/45
Some of the damage on Saint Martin
EPA/Gerben Van Es/Dutch Department of Defence
11/45
The skyline is seen as the outerbands of Hurricane Irma start to reach Florida on 9 September 2017 in Miami, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4.
Getty Images
12/45
A tree toped by hurricane Irma is seen on a empty street in Remedios, Cuba, 9 September 2017. Hurricane Irma reached Cuba bringing winds between 160 and 190 kilometers per hour. The hurricane has hit the north coast of the island.
EPA
13/45
James Constantineau loads sands bags in his truck as he prepares for the approach of Hurricane Irma Saturday, 9 September 2017, in East Palatka, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott is urging anyone living in an evacuation zone in southwest Florida to leave by noon as the threat of Hurricane Irma has shifted west.
AP
14/45
The Fort Louis Marina in Marigot is seen on 8 September 2017 in Saint-Martin island, devastated by Hurricane Irma.
AFP
15/45
Destruction in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin
AFP/Getty
16/45
The wreckage in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin
AFP/Getty
17/45
View of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Saint Martin
Reuters
18/45
A mobile network tower snapped in two by the hurricane on the island of Barbuda
ABS TV
19/45
A house reduced to rubble on the island of Saint Barthelemy
AFP/Getty Images
20/45
General view of damage on Saint Martin
Reuters
21/45
A damaged Casino Royale on Saint Martin after the passage of Hurricane Irma
Anna Mazur/AFP
22/45
An aerial photograph taken and released by the Dutch department of Defense shows the damage of Hurricane Irma in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, the Dutch section of the Caribbean Island
Gerben Van Es/AFP
23/45
Flooded houses in Gustavia on the island of Saint-Barthelemy
Kevin Barrallon/AFP
24/45
The damage on the island of Saint-Martin, a day after Hurricane Irma hit
AFP/Getty Images
25/45
A man carrying an umbrella is battered by the wind in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Reuters/Alvin Baez
26/45
A lone police car on patrol during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
27/45
Haitian people walk through the wind and rain on a beach in Cap-Haitien on September 7 as Hurricane Irma approaches
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
28/45
A flooded street on the island of Saint Martin
AFP/Getty Images
29/45
A tree collapsed on a house in Saint Martin
30/45
A hotel in Saint Martin is gutted by floodwater during the hurricane
Guadeloupe 1ère
31/45
Cars submerged in Saint Martin
Rinsy Xieng
32/45
Debris floats amongst the floodwater in Saint Martin
@la1ere
33/45
Household items float down the street in Gustavia, Saint-Barthélemy
Carole Greaux
34/45
The coast of Saint Martin is flooded as the hurricane hits the island
Météo Express
35/45
A whole street underwater in Saint Martin
@la1ere
36/45
A car crashes into the tree amongst the chaos in Saint Martin
@Bondtehond
37/45
A building on the Saint Martin seafront, destroyed by the hurricane
@Bondtehond
38/45
A mobile home overturned at Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Martin
@Bondtehond
39/45
Palm trees bend in the wind in San Juan, Puerto Rico as Hurricane Irma slammed across islands in the northern Caribbean
Reuters/Alvin Baez
40/45
A woman runs in the rain as Hurricane Irma slammed into San Juan, Puerto Rico
Reuters/Alvin Baez
41/45
A picture taken on September 5, 2017 shows a view of the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, with the wind blowing ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma
AFP/Getty Images
42/45
A man rides past a boarded up house as part of preparations ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma on September 5, 2017, in the French overseas island of Guadeloupe
Helene Valenzuela/AFP
43/45
Employees of the Mercure Hotel fill sand bags on the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, as part of the preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Irma
Lionel Chamoiseau/AFP
44/45
People in line at Costco, as they find out the store has ran out of water on September 5, 2017 in North Miami
Michele Eve Sandberg/AFP
45/45
Night view of the city of Cap-Haitien, in the north of Haiti, 240 km from Port-au-Prince, on September 5, 2017
Hector Retamal/AFP
1/45
Recently planted palm trees lie strewn across the road as Hurricane Irma passes by in Miami Beach, Fla. 10 September 2017.
AP
2/45
Damage outside the Mercure hotel in Marigot, on the Bay of Nettle, on the island of Saint-Martin
AFP/Getty Images
3/45
People pick up debris in Fajardo as Hurricane Irma howled past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands
Reuters/Alvin Baez
4/45
Large waves produced by Hurricane Irma crash into the end of Anglins Fishing Pier in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The category 4 hurricane made landfall in the United States in the Florida Keys at 9:10 a.m. after raking across the north coast of Cuba. 10 September 2017
Getty Images
5/45
A Royal Air Force Puma has been delivered to the US Virgin Islands to assist with the humanitarian efforts post Hurricane Irma. The Puma will be delivering Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief in support of the Department for International Development.
Royal Air Force logisticians from RAF Brize Norton have assisted with the delivery of military personnel and aid cargo to the Caribbean to support disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Irma. RAF aircraft including, C-17 A400M and Voyager are supporting a Joint Task Force of RAF, Royal Marines, Army and RN personnel who are supporting the Department for International Development as it delivers aid to stricken Caribbean Islands.
MoD
6/45
Flamingos at Zoo Miami, are shown in a temporary enclosure in a hurricane resistant structure within the zoo, Saturday, 9 September 2017 in Miami. Though most animals will reman in their secure structures, the cheetahs and some birds will ride out the storm in temporary housing.
AP
7/45
Boats are seen at a marina in South Beach as Hurricane Irma arrives at south Florida, in Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. 10 September 2017
Reuters
8/45
Storm clouds are seen over Fisher Island as Hurricane Irma approaches on 9 September 2017 in Miami Beach, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4
Getty Images
9/45
Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by. 10 September 2017
AP
10/45
Some of the damage on Saint Martin
EPA/Gerben Van Es/Dutch Department of Defence
11/45
The skyline is seen as the outerbands of Hurricane Irma start to reach Florida on 9 September 2017 in Miami, Florida. Florida is in the path of the Hurricane which may come ashore at category 4.
Getty Images
12/45
A tree toped by hurricane Irma is seen on a empty street in Remedios, Cuba, 9 September 2017. Hurricane Irma reached Cuba bringing winds between 160 and 190 kilometers per hour. The hurricane has hit the north coast of the island.
EPA
13/45
James Constantineau loads sands bags in his truck as he prepares for the approach of Hurricane Irma Saturday, 9 September 2017, in East Palatka, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott is urging anyone living in an evacuation zone in southwest Florida to leave by noon as the threat of Hurricane Irma has shifted west.
AP
14/45
The Fort Louis Marina in Marigot is seen on 8 September 2017 in Saint-Martin island, devastated by Hurricane Irma.
AFP
15/45
Destruction in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin
AFP/Getty
16/45
The wreckage in Orient Bay on the island of Saint-Martin
AFP/Getty
17/45
View of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Saint Martin
Reuters
18/45
A mobile network tower snapped in two by the hurricane on the island of Barbuda
ABS TV
19/45
A house reduced to rubble on the island of Saint Barthelemy
AFP/Getty Images
20/45
General view of damage on Saint Martin
Reuters
21/45
A damaged Casino Royale on Saint Martin after the passage of Hurricane Irma
Anna Mazur/AFP
22/45
An aerial photograph taken and released by the Dutch department of Defense shows the damage of Hurricane Irma in Philipsburg, Sint Maarten, the Dutch section of the Caribbean Island
Gerben Van Es/AFP
23/45
Flooded houses in Gustavia on the island of Saint-Barthelemy
Kevin Barrallon/AFP
24/45
The damage on the island of Saint-Martin, a day after Hurricane Irma hit
AFP/Getty Images
25/45
A man carrying an umbrella is battered by the wind in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Reuters/Alvin Baez
26/45
A lone police car on patrol during the passing of Hurricane Irma in Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Jose Jimenez/Getty Images
27/45
Haitian people walk through the wind and rain on a beach in Cap-Haitien on September 7 as Hurricane Irma approaches
Hector Retamal/AFP/Getty Images
28/45
A flooded street on the island of Saint Martin
AFP/Getty Images
29/45
A tree collapsed on a house in Saint Martin
30/45
A hotel in Saint Martin is gutted by floodwater during the hurricane
Guadeloupe 1ère
31/45
Cars submerged in Saint Martin
Rinsy Xieng
32/45
Debris floats amongst the floodwater in Saint Martin
@la1ere
33/45
Household items float down the street in Gustavia, Saint-Barthélemy
Carole Greaux
34/45
The coast of Saint Martin is flooded as the hurricane hits the island
Météo Express
35/45
A whole street underwater in Saint Martin
@la1ere
36/45
A car crashes into the tree amongst the chaos in Saint Martin
@Bondtehond
37/45
A building on the Saint Martin seafront, destroyed by the hurricane
@Bondtehond
38/45
A mobile home overturned at Princess Juliana International Airport in Saint Martin
@Bondtehond
39/45
Palm trees bend in the wind in San Juan, Puerto Rico as Hurricane Irma slammed across islands in the northern Caribbean
Reuters/Alvin Baez
40/45
A woman runs in the rain as Hurricane Irma slammed into San Juan, Puerto Rico
Reuters/Alvin Baez
41/45
A picture taken on September 5, 2017 shows a view of the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, with the wind blowing ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma
AFP/Getty Images
42/45
A man rides past a boarded up house as part of preparations ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Irma on September 5, 2017, in the French overseas island of Guadeloupe
Helene Valenzuela/AFP
43/45
Employees of the Mercure Hotel fill sand bags on the Baie Nettle beach in Marigot, as part of the preparations for the arrival of Hurricane Irma
Lionel Chamoiseau/AFP
44/45
People in line at Costco, as they find out the store has ran out of water on September 5, 2017 in North Miami
Michele Eve Sandberg/AFP
45/45
Night view of the city of Cap-Haitien, in the north of Haiti, 240 km from Port-au-Prince, on September 5, 2017
Hector Retamal/AFP
Cuba’s international medical mission has won the socialist state many friends.
This tradition can be traced back to 1960, when Cuba sent a group of doctors to Chile, who had been hit by a powerful earthquake, followed by a team of 50 to Algeria in 1963.
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