Similar to the wave of solidarity unleashed last year in the western Cuban province of Matanzas, in the midst of the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the city has been receiving national and international aid since August 5, following the tragic fire in its industrial zone.
Once again, Cuban entrepreneurs launched initiatives, either individually or with other businesses, to organize the shipment of supplies, food, funds and medical materials for the care of the injured, evacuated and the workers involved in extinguishing the flames.
For example, Juanky’s Pan, together with other ventures, provided support to the families of the victims, to the firefighters on the front line and to the “always brave” doctors, with the delivery of 500 snacks in the disaster area and in health centers.
Likewise, the Pasiones enterprise delivered refreshments to the drivers of the water tankers. “We made our small contribution to those who are also heroes of Matanzas, we are very grateful and we wanted to recognize their work over several days, without rest,” the team reflected on their Facebook page.
Bar Tiempos also delivered food and beverages to workers and the victims of the blaze. World-famous Cuban athlete Javier Sotomayor, nicknamed “The Prince of Heights,” delivered a donation from his business Bar 2.45, while La Tradicional pizzeria supported the Red Cross personnel.
Actor Alejandro Cuervo, owner of Charcutería Cuervo’s, and entrepreneur Yankiel Marrero, from Jaruco, Mayabeque province, donated products and articles from their establishments to the people evacuated at the Escuela Vocacional de Arte.
The supplies included boxes of bread, cold meats, cans of milk, soft drinks and yogurt. In addition to other initiatives, the Gaby y Sofi brand delivered toys and clothing for the evacuated children.
Disney María Villareal, an independent producer of various crops in Placetas and leader of a SME that manufactures construction materials, arrived in Matanzas with food, bottled water and other supplies for the firefighters and the rest of the personnel in the western territory.
There have been many such expressions of solidarity. Both inside and outside the city, entrepreneurs have contributed to make the situation a little more bearable for the people who have experienced difficult days due to the incident at the supertanker base in Matanzas Bay.
