There where the catastrophe is worse, where the pain and abandon are clearly visible, there is no limit to the gratitude expressed for a hand extended by a doctor, at no charge whatsoever.
Although they speak a foreign language and their faces, hidden behind a mask, may not be seen, their comforting words are appreciated, their gentle way of conducting the most complex task, even a not-recommended hug; and the name of Cuba remains as a lasting reminder of their kindness.
So it is that, over the last 15 years, Cuban men and women have made heroism a daily virtue, as members of the Henry Reeve International Contingent of Doctors Specialized in Situations of Disasters and Serious Epidemics.
In the epicenter of human sadness, their immediate cooperation leaves its mark in the wake of floods, storms, earthquakes, epidemics… Not only offering their expertise as doctors, nurses and technicians specifically trained for such situations, but also prepared to deploy across an extensive area affected by a disaster, erecting functional, integrated field hospitals.
After so many demonstrations of the quality of their medical assistance during emergencies, it is perplexing to recall that the first country offered help in 2005, the United States, has ignored the Contingent. It was the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Katrina, on this nation’s southern coast, that led to the concretizing of an idea.
Although those affected in New Orleans were not able to benefit from the freely offered assistance, or the medication, the Henry Reeve continued its travels around the world for the good of humanity and has confirmed that - as opposed to the logic of the capitalist system and the philosophy of individualism - their work is far from utopian. Comandante en Jefe Fidel Castro understood this very well when the Contingent was created, saying, “We offer to train professionals wiling to struggle against death. We will demonstrate that there are answers to many of the planet’s tragedies. We will demonstrate that we can and must be better human beings. We will demonstrate the value of conscience and ethics. We offer life.”
Bearing the name of a Mambi from abroad who fought for a free Cuba, the Contingent that leaves the island with the first mission of ensuring that all its members return alive, has so deeply moved the millions of people assisted and those who have witnessed their work, that the number continues to rise of those individuals and organizations advocating that the Henry Reeve be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.
Nonetheless, wherever few dare to go, facing chilling threats like the SARS-COV-2 virus, these Cuban brigades are overcoming cultural barriers and the fear of the courageous, sharing their knowledge without hesitation, and winning the prize of simple gratitude, that is the most valuable.
