The Cuban Red Cross commemorated the 117th anniversary of its founding. The Balcón de Oriente (Cuban Eastern Balcony) became a space for tribute and gratitude from the solidarity and discipline that characterize the valuable people of Las Tunas who volunteer to safeguard life and property in exceptional times.
Under the auspices of the Provincial Health Directorate, the volunteers who led the evacuation of hundreds of families in the community of Guamo, Granma province, due to flooding caused by heavy rains from Hurricane Melisa in October 2025, were awarded the Labor Prowess Flag.
Yaditzi Cutiño González, a psychologist with this program in Las Tunas province, told 26 that more than 1,700 members uphold the prestige of the first responders through a brotherhood based on altruism, working on rescue and relief efforts both within and outside the province, in conjunction with the Fire Department.
“We are a large and committed family. When a major event occurs, like Hurricane Melisa, we work together as a large team. We are auxiliaries to the public authorities; therefore, what we do is provide humanitarian support under any circumstances."
"The group is strengthened by very young members, women, and also veterans who know how to guide the new generations. They work voluntarily, with the sole objective of helping.”
Cutiño González notes that municipalities like Manatí stand out in the program's activities. “They are effectively training the next generation through interest groups with school-aged children who are preparing them for, for example, first aid.
Even though they are very young, they are taught how to act in the case of an accident at home, so that they can help their families despite their age. In the municipality of Jobabo, they also work in different communities, and right now they are involved in planting mangroves to protect the environment and fight against climate change.”
The event also honored the women who bring prestige to the Red Cross in the country and whose compassion is evident in this organization that is always ready to assist those most in need, anywhere in Cuba.
The Red Cross, recognized by the Cuban State as an auxiliary relief society of the public authorities, was founded by physician Diego Tamayo y Figueredo on March 10, 1909. Its work includes disaster preparedness and response, restoring contact between separated families, ensuring water safety through lifeguard services and proper signage in bathing areas, communicating and disseminating International Humanitarian Law, and assisting migrants and refugees, among other activities.
