Cuba needs billions for hurricane recovery

The Cuban government will now have to find billions of dollars to fund hurricane recovery efforts.



Authorities have described the damage caused by hurricanes Gustav and Ike as the worst in the country’s history.



The hurricanes, which hit the island over a two-week period reportedly, caused $5 billion worth of damage and destroyed about 15 percent of houses in the country.



The Cuban Sugar Ministry also said Ike destroyed nearly half of the annual crop.



Analysts said the impact of the two hurricanes would make it very difficult for President Raul Castro to carry out his pledge to improve living standards in Cuba.