Cuba Post Hurricane Report Finding Opportunity in Adversity - CAPE Cuba Aust Permaculture Exchange

Cuba Post Hurricane Report: Finding Opportunity in Adversity

The recovery process is well underway, though there are still many damaged places and much restoration work to complete. The loss of crops, soil and organic matter from the torrential rains and flooding, damage and loss of trees that provided fruit, shade, microclimate and soil water retention have created major setbacks. Many have also suffered the collapse and destruction of vital water tanks, loss and damage of shade structures, nurseries, roofs, animal yards and housing, storage facilities, warehouses and fences.
In many respects the Permaculture projects survived better than other neighbouring systems. This has clearly demonstrated both the resilience and reduced risk vulnerability of Permaculture systems based on diversity of crops, production and cultivation systems. Permaculture people had reserves of seed to exchange and give to each other to re-establish annual crops for food production. While all growers lamented loss of soil and organic matter, the Permaculturists were immediately busy salvaging damaged vegetation for composting in the aftermath to remedy these losses. Finding opportunity in adversity they also recognise a unique opportunity to redesign their systems for more resilience in the future, drawing on the lessons learnt from the disaster as well as from previous years of experience and experimentation.
While the supply and availability of tools and material resources for purchase has improved somewhat, prices have increased considerably and resources are seriously stretched due to the scale of the damage. The national priority is focussed on restoring housing and services, so these small projects are struggling to access the resources required to restore productivity and operations. The Foundation has received some assistance from counterparts in some project areas but further support is urgently needed to provide numerous projects with tools and materials for the recovery and restoration of essential infrastructure. The support from the CAPE appeal will be of enormous assistance and go a long way in improving the support for these projects, which in turn are supporting their neighbourhoods and local communities.
As Roberto Sanchez stated in his update "In a situation like this the solidarity actions such as you are undertaking through CAPE are very helpful and deeply appreciated"
CAPE APPEAL On behalf of the Permaculture community in Cuba, CAPE extends thanks to Permaculture Melbourne for their generous donation of $1000 from the Apple festival at Petty's Orchard, which together with individual donations and the residual funds raised from Roberto's tour, will provide an initial sum of $1500 in support. We hope that this inspires other to raise funds for further support as the full recovery process will take both time and more substantial resource input.
Upcoming fundraising events: Target One Earth - Living within our Footprint - what we can learn from Cuba, Thurs 20th November at Djanbung Gardens, Nimbin starts 6am with dinner and slides followed by presentation 7pm - by donation
Summer Solstice Celebration, December 20 food, ceremony & live music with Healing Earth, the BrazilNuts, Robyn Francis, Pagan Love Cult. From 7pm to late

Tags: permaculture, cape, cuba, post, opportunity, projects, fanj, hurricane, report, finding, affected, gustav, funds, appeal

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