TOKYO, March 12, Kyodo - Japan decided Tuesday to provide $480,000 in emergency aid to the U.N.
                Development Program (UNDP) to help Cuba, which was battered by a hurricane that hit the island nation
                last November, the Foreign Ministry said.

                Hurricane Michelle caused damages worth $1.9 billion and affected 6 million people -- about half the Cuban
                population. The UNDP set up a fund to help the hurricane victims and has been calling on the international
                community for emergency assistance.

                The Japanese humanitarian aid will be used for measures such as replacing irrigation systems and
                repairing livestock facilities, the ministry said.