Cuba: Rebuilding After Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa, a powerful and destructive storm, made landfall in late October 2025, leaving a catastrophic trail across the eastern provinces of Cuba.

Media reports and humanitarian assessments paint a grim picture, with the city of Santiago and its surrounding areas bearing the brunt of the disaster. The scale of the damage has necessitated a robust response and Baptists on Mission, because of our long time partnership with the Eastern Baptist Convention has responded.

Santiago, the country’s second-most populated city, has been particularly hard-hit. Assessments indicate a staggering number of damaged and destroyed homes, critical infrastructure failures, and widespread community isolation.

The recovery effort is taking place amidst a challenging environment, characterized by an existing economic crisis and an increased risk of disease exacerbated by stagnant floodwaters.

In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, four dedicated volunteer teams, deployed in November and December 2025, are central to this initial phase of recovery. These teams are focused on immediate physical cleanup, shelter repair, and material salvage.

The four incoming volunteer teams are tasked with the following: Roofing the Retirement Home Chapel, Community Cleanup, Home and Building Clearing and Material Salvage and Repurposing

The work of these early teams is foundational, clearing the way for more teams in the coming months.

Beyond the physical labor provided by the volunteer teams, a long-term recovery strategy is financial support. North Carolina churches are being asked to partner with local churches in Cuba that have received damage to fund repairs. This model of partnership is designed to empower local Cuban congregations, which are often at the center of community relief efforts:

This effort not only provides material resources but also reinforces a spiritual bond and a commitment between the North Carolina and Cuban church bodies. The scope of this partnership reflects a commitment to the recovery of faith communities in the wake of catastrophic natural disaster.

For more information on how you can be involved in the Disaster Response efforts in Cuba or one of our partnership opportunities in Cuba, please contact Tom Beam.