Several pieces of information and posts, the kind that sow and nurture encouragement, gratitude, and optimism, have caught my eye on social media and official websites.
I am referring to recently launched calls for support for families affected by Hurricane Melissa, through projects and initiatives led by people living in different parts of the world, including within the United States.
One comes to mind, whose text emphasizes that the scourge of this powerful force "has left a trail of pain and hardship. Hundreds of thousands have been affected, families like yours and mine. In this moment of despair and grief, they hope for and will receive the support of compassionate and humane people from all over the world."
It is also well known that Cubans living in Mexico are collecting food and medicine to send, in an effort to join forces with Mexicans who are willing to cooperate, as has happened on countless occasions.
How many Cubans living in other parts of the world are working at this very moment to carry out similar actions, and even people of other nationalities? No one should doubt it: many.
As is well known, the first international hand extended to us was that of the Chinese Red Cross.
Since then, offers of assistance and physical arrivals on national territory have been growing. In accordance with its historic brotherhood, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has already sent 26 tons of humanitarian aid to Santiago de Cuba, while preparing to send another 3,000 tons by sea.
Colombia shares the same willingness, as expressed by its president, Gustavo Petro, to Manuel Marrero Cruz, the Cuban prime minister.
Similarly, His Royal Highness Mohamed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, prime minister of Saudi Arabia, conveyed his willingness to send "significant aid to contribute to the recovery from the damage caused by the hurricane."
There is also the announcement made by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to release $4 million from the humanitarian emergency fund for Cuba and Haiti, while the Pan American and World Health Organizations are making contributions.
There is no doubt about how these donations arrived or how they will arrive in due course, nor about their clearly humanitarian purpose or essence. This is not the first time.
Let us therefore be grateful for such gestures and expressions, coming from key points around the world, because this, let there be no doubt, is sincere, genuine aid, very similar to that which Cuba has offered to the world itself on many occasions.
