Brussels, 30th of November 2020
The Norwegian Nobel Committee The Norwegian Nobel Institute NO- 0255 Oslo Norway Dear Nobel Peace Prize Committee,
As Members of the Group of Friendship and Solidarity with the People of Cuba in the European Parliament, it is a great honour for us to offer our support for the candidacy of the International Contingent "Henry Reeve" against Natural Disasters and Serious Epidemics for the Nobel Peace Prize 2021. Through the humanitarian-medical-health aid provided to the populations of countries victims of natural disasters and epidemics, this Cuban contingent has been an example of altruism and humanity during its 15 years of existence.
Situations of emergencies, disasters or epidemics, pose a huge obstacle to the full enjoyment of the rights derived from the inherent dignity of all human beings and, therefore, to the achievement of a world in peace. Hence, the defence of the right to health of all human beings without distinction of race, religion, political ideology or economic or social condition, through dialogue and international cooperation is one of the fundamental requirements for the development of a culture based on respect, solidarity and peace.
The “Henry Reeve” Contingent was founded on September 19, 2005 in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to the town of New Orleans in the United States. It owes its name to the American brigadier Henry Reeve, who joined a detachment of Cuban combatants as a line soldier to join the war of independence of the small Caribbean state, which began in October 1868. In Cuban history and culture, his figure is considered as an example of international solidarity. Since creation, the Contingent has lived up to Reeve's legacy.
During these 15 years, the “Henry Reeve” Contingent has remained active in its duties. It has carried out 1 to 4 missions per year, thus playing an essential role in international efforts to increase cooperation in health matters among nations. Throughout this period, the Contingent has provided aid to 45 nations and 5 non-autonomous territories thanks to the participation of more than 9 thousand Cuban health professionals. As a result, of the actions of the “Henry Reeve” Contingent, approximately 4 million people have received medical attention and the lives of more than 89 thousand people have been saved.
In this period, they have been grouped into 71 medical brigades, of which 3 were assigned to the fight against the Ebola epidemic, 2 to combat the cholera epidemic and 20 in the event of natural disasters; 8 of them specialized in floods, 7 in earthquakes and 5 in hurricanes.
During the last 5 months, the Contingent has gained even more international notoriety due to its effective and supportive contribution of 45 medical brigades (more than 3,700 Cuban health professionals) to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Right after the COVID-19 was classified as a pandemic, thus becoming the greatest health threat that the world has faced in the 21st century, the “Henry Reeve” Contingent prepared to provide medical assistant to any nation who requested it. In the span of 5 months, its presence has reached 38 states around the world, has treated 355,785 people and saved 9,736 lives.
There can be no peace without human dignity and no dignity without health. The humanitarian work carried out by the “Henry Reeve” Contingent during the last 15 years has contributed to create a more solidary, more cooperative, as well as more dignified and more peaceful world. Therefore, and due to their contribution to the fraternity between nations, we recommend the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to of the International Contingent "Henry Reeve" against Natural Disasters and Serious Epidemics.
We appreciate your kind attention.
With a feeling of admiration and high esteem,
MARC ANGEL
BRANDO BENIFEI
MARC JOHAN BOTENGA
CLARE DALY
ÖEZLEM DEMIRE
JOÃO FERREIRA
GIORGOS GEORGIOU
ALICIA HOMS GINEL
NIYAZI KIZILYÜREK
JAVIER MORENO SÁNCHEZ
NORBERT NEUSER
LEFTERIS NIKOLAOU-AVALANOS
KOSTAS PAPADAKIS
DIMITRIOS PAPADIMOULIS
SANDRA PEREIRA
GIUSEPPINA PICIERNO
MANU PINEDA
SIRA REGO
ANDREAS SCHIEDER
MASSIMILIANO SMERIGLIO
MARC TARABELLA
MICK WALLACE