Water Relief Network Responds to Hurricane Lili in Cuba

Late last year, Hurricane Lili made a devastating landfall on the island of Cuba. Cienfeugos was particularly hard hit by the Lili's storm surge, which topped thirty feet, easily cresting the six-foot high seawall protecting Cuba's second-largest port.

Over 50,000 people were suddenly without shelter and many more were without safe drinking water. Damage was reported at 32 schools and 15 hospitals. Over 5,700 homes were destroyed and an additional 78,000 were damaged.

In the aftermath, the American Red Cross contacted the Chlorine Chemistry Council's (CCC) Water Relief Network for assistance. This was the first major request made by the Red Cross to the Network.

The Network was asked to supply 12 metric tons of calcium hypochlorite and one metric ton of sodium hypochlorite to Cuba in late January. These chlorine compounds are used to disinfect public drinking water and water distribution systems. Chlorine supplies were also needed to restore hospital sanitation. The supplies were deemed critical because Lili had severely damaged the only chlorine plant in Cuba and Cuba's stocks of essential disinfectants were strained. Officials of the Red Cross and representatives of the CCC visited Cuba to discuss needs with local Red Cross workers, government officials, doctors and hospital administrators. Network representatives visited the community's damaged water treatment facility, hospitals and neighborhoods. Local officials feared that the disruption of the island's public drinking water system and insufficient supplies of chlorine disinfection chemicals would result in outbreaks of waterborne diseases including hepatitis, typhoid and cholera. The likelihood of waterborne disease outbreaks increases as the temperature rises, so it was important to address the water treatment problem as quickly as possible.

ARCC members commend CCC on establishing the Water Relief Network. The idea for the Network grew in part from recommendations made by ARCC union participants last year.