Havana, September 28 (RHC)-- Panama's First Lady Lorena Castillo de Varela arrived in Cuba to officially deliver a new humanitarian aid cargo sent by the Panamanian people to Cuban victims of Hurricane Irma.

According to a communique issued by the Office of the Panamanian First Lady, Castillo herself and the country's Joint Task Force, which comprises civil defense, rescue and security entities, headed the national campaign to collect the humanitarian aid that will be delivered to victims of the powerful hurricane here in Cuba and across the Caribbean.

The Panamanian first lady was received at Havana's José Martí International Airport by Cuban Deputy of Foreign Affairs Marcelino Medina, who thanked the Panamanian government and people for their support and solidarity.

During her stay in Cuba, the Panamanian first lady will visit La Pradera International Health Center, and will meet with Panamanian residents here and with young people from the Central American nation, who are receiving professional training on scholarships granted by Cuban authorities.

The Panamanian ship carrying the new humanitarian cargo -–the third sent thus far by Panama in the wake of the devastation caused by Irma-- arrived Wednesday at the Guillermón Moncada port in eastern Santiago de Cuba. It consists of 35 containers filled with mattresses, hygiene products, blankets, wood, lighting products, water storage containers, and other basic items.

Last September 13th, another Panamanian ship, loaded with humanitarian aid for Irma victims, departed from the country's Atlantic coast bound to the Port of Mariel in the northwestern Cuban region. Almost simultaneously, three Panamanian aircraft flew to Havana, with an additional 2.1 tons of aid.

On September 10th, when the powerful storm was still battering Cuba, where it affected 13 out of the country's 15 provinces, Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela resorted to twitter to send a message of solidarity to the Cuban and other affected Caribbean nations and peoples.

He wrote: “Cuba has been hard hit by Hurricane Irma. We, Panamanians have always count on the solidarity and support of Cuba. Let's get ready to support the Cuban and other affected peoples across the Caribbean.”