SVG donates $50 000 to Cuba

St. Vincent and the Grenadines has donated US$50,000 to Cuba in the wake of widespread damage suffered after Hurricane Dennis.

Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves told local media this week this was just an initial sum and said he had written to President Fidel Castro “conveying ongoing solidarity” and offering “practical support” to the people of Cuba.

Cuba suffered over $US1 billion in damage from the passage of the storm which destroyed many homes and killed 16 persons in Cuba’s Easternmost provinces.{{more}}

The United States too has responded, but with a donation of US$50,000 to Cuba. President Castro has however refused to accept the sum, saying he would spurn even $1 billion — if it came from Uncle Sam. ‘’Cuba will not accept humanitarian aid from the United States, which imposes a criminal blockade” on Cuba the daily Granma reported. SVG has close to 150 nationals pursuing university studies in Cuba under a scholarship programme which began 25 years ago.