Dominican Ship Arrives in Cuba with Humanitarian Aid Irma's Victims

A ship from the Dominican Republic''s Navy arrived in this capital today laden with a humanitarian aid to help Cubans during the recovery works after Hurricane Irma hit the country.

According to Frigate Captain MacDonal Belliard, the cargo consists of about 90 tons of mattresses and construction materials such as timber, zinc coated steel and metal doors, among others.

The cargo was prepared by direct indications from the Dominican President Danilo Medina, who, being acquainted with the damage caused by Hurricane Irma, phoned Cuban diplomats and expressed his support.

Belliard stressed that the crew is proud to respond to the president's call and assist Cubans at difficult times like this.

For his part, Dominican Ambassador to Cuba Joaquin Geronimo Berroa said that the shipment, although it is not so big, is a sign of the historic ties between the two Caribbean nations.

He also praised the Cuban people's perseverance and willingness to fight this incident, virtues from which they can successfully find a way out of difficulties, he said.

Mercedes Lopez, vice president of the Cuban Council of State, welcomed the Dominican gesture and assured the visitors that the Dominican Republic can count on Cuba's solidarity for any problem.

According to experts, Irma has been the strongest and most powerful hurricane hitting the Caribbean nation ever.