Workers from the Bio-food and Coastal Ecosystems research centers (CIBA and CIEC, respectively), in the province of Ciego de Ávila, joined the remaining 20 institutions of the Environment Agency in the country to support recovery in the territory of Pinar del Río after the passage of Hurricane Ian.

Yamilé Jiménez Peña, deputy director of Research at CIBA, highlighted that they delivered a donation for the families of workers at the Center for Environmental Research and Services (ECOVIDA) who were affected by the hydro-meteorological event.

They also participated in days of hygiene and silvicultural treatments in the Botanical Garden of that province, with serious damage to floral and faunal resources, as a result of strong winds and heavy rains, she added.

In a dialogue via the Internet, Alisdeikys Gallardo Cruz, main specialist of the Botanical Collections Group, reported, in a preliminary way, that in this natural park the greatest damages are registered in the Archaic and Martian forests, and in the fruit-bearing areas, where damaged more than 90 percent of the heritage.

He added that the areas of endemic species and medicinal plants suffered damages greater than 80 percent; therefore, most of the flora of that nature reservoir was affected.

The Pinar del Río Botanical Garden constitutes a guarantee for the care and conservation of some 3,200 species, including more than 880 endemics, according to the website of ECOVIDA, administrator of that area.

The efforts of the workers of the CIBA and the CIEC are part of the solidarity movement promoted in the territory after the passage of Hurricane Ian to contribute to the recovery of Pinar del Río and the rest of the provinces of the Cuban western region.

Recently, Liván Izquierdo Alonso, first secretary of the Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba in Ciego de Ávila, highlighted the sending of contingents to support the restoration of electricity service and the construction of houses.

He recognized the creation of bags with donations in neighborhoods, communities and workplaces to benefit affected families, a humanitarian and supportive gesture, of incalculable value if one considers that, in times of shortages; many share what little they have.Lately, the so-called Caravan of Solidarity with the Western Provinces left from here, which transports the deliveries made through mass organizations and unions, as well as food and grains contributed by the agricultural sector, including members of the National Association of Small Farmers (ANAP), he announced.

In Ciego de Ávila, as in the rest of the national territory, bank accounts were also set up for those who wish to offer monetary help.