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Cuba Faces Dire Hunger Crisis: One in Four Goes to Bed Hungry, Says Independent Report

Sunday, May 18, 2025 by Abigail Marquez

Cuba Faces Dire Hunger Crisis: One in Four Goes to Bed Hungry, Says Independent Report
Cuban butcher shop (Reference image) - Image by © CiberCuba

The threat of food insecurity in Cuba has shifted from a cautionary tale to a harsh reality, with one in every four residents reportedly going to bed without a meal in recent months. This alarming situation is highlighted in the "Hunger in Cuba (2024)" report by the independent organization, Food Monitor Program (FMP). The research draws on a Food Security Survey conducted between May and June of that year, covering 2,703 households across all provinces, including the Special Municipality of Isla de la Juventud.

The study examines four critical aspects of food security: access, availability, stability, and consumption. In each category, findings indicate a worsening crisis, hitting the most vulnerable populations hardest. An overwhelming 96.91% of respondents reported diminished food access due to inflation and a decline in purchasing power, while 98.82% have noticed a significant price hike in the past year.

Faced with the inability to secure a balanced and minimally nutritious diet, 72% of households have resorted to unhealthy alternative diets. Skipping meals has become a survival tactic, with 29% of Cubans eating only twice a day and 4% just once. These dire circumstances are more prevalent in provinces like Artemisa, Isla de la Juventud, Mayabeque, and Guantánamo. A staggering 25% of those surveyed admitted to going to bed hungry, a poignant reflection of an entrenched and widespread food crisis.

The most impacted groups include the elderly, pregnant or nursing women, individuals with physical or mental disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. Notably, 24% of respondents are over 60, underscoring the demographic burden of those needing special diets and care. Furthermore, 63% of households reported having elderly individuals under their responsibility.

Struggling with Basic Services

The crisis extends beyond food, compounded by the collapse of essential services needed for cooking, hygiene, and storage. Frequent blackouts, particularly during critical cooking times, were reported by 71% of households, and 60% lack access to potable water. Alarmingly, one in four households receives water only once every three days or less. The lack of electricity and water further hampers food preparation and preservation, heightening health risks.

The Economic Strain

Financial pressure is another burden, with 60% of respondents dedicating five to fifteen hours weekly solely to food acquisition. Meanwhile, 42% of households spend their entire monthly income on food, and 25% must allocate up to five times the minimum monthly wage just to purchase basic goods. For many Cubans, feeding themselves has become the sole priority.

The FMP report also highlights widespread discontent with government management; 64% of those surveyed blame the Cuban government for the food shortages due to poor administration. Corruption is cited by 26% as a direct cause, with only 8% attributing the situation to the U.S. embargo. These figures starkly contrast with official narratives that solely blame external factors.

Regional and Global Implications

On a regional scale, the report warns that although Cuba comprises only 5% of the Caribbean's population, it accounts for 40% of the region's food insecurity cases. Food Monitor Program cautions that the situation might be even more dire than the data suggests, owing to self-censorship, resignation to hardship, and nutritional ignorance that leads many to mistake fullness for proper nutrition.

This food crisis not only jeopardizes physical health but also undermines work, school, and emotional well-being, directly impacting the social fabric and development of the country. In response, FMP demands that the Cuban government take responsibility for ensuring the population's access to food and essential services. They also urge international organizations like the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) to act swiftly to address what they call a silent food emergency affecting millions of Cubans.

Deaths from malnutrition have surged alarmingly, reflecting a food crisis impacting both the general population and specific groups such as the elderly and prisoners. Official data analyzed by elToque shows malnutrition as a leading cause of death, accompanied by the collapse of the prison system, where, as reported by Cubalex, inmates have died from extreme hunger and neglect.

Public Outcry and Government Accountability

Food insecurity manifests on the streets, with reports of hunger-related fainting across several provinces, affecting the elderly, youth, and women. Many citizens subsist on one or two meals daily, relying on street solidarity or begging. Even those with physical limitations or veterans seek help with signs reading "This is for food," as documented by the OCDH.

The decline of state assistance has left thousands of retirees and vulnerable individuals without food. Ration book allocations have been cut, removing staples like coffee, oil, and sugar without viable alternatives. The gradual elimination of rationing has exacerbated conditions in Cuban households, where scarcity has become a daily reality.

Desperation has led to public protests, such as in Santiago de Cuba, where demonstrators shouted "we are hungry" at police. In Maisí, mothers blocked traffic with empty tanks, demanding water and food, voicing their plight against a regime they claim is "starving us" amid a worsening crisis.

The nation grapples with extreme deprivation: shortages of bread, gas, food, and constant blackouts, while thousands of Cubans scavenge for food in trash or survive by selling recyclables. The image of an empty refrigerator, described by a citizen as "my fridge is empty, there's nothing," encapsulates the abandonment and despair felt by a nation impoverished by mismanagement and official apathy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Food Insecurity in Cuba

What is causing the food crisis in Cuba?

The food crisis in Cuba is attributed to government mismanagement, inflation, declining purchasing power, and a collapse of essential services. The Cuban government's administration is largely blamed, alongside corruption and, to a lesser extent, the U.S. embargo.

How are Cubans coping with food shortages?

Cubans are coping with food shortages by resorting to unhealthy alternative diets, reducing meal frequency to one or two times a day, and engaging in extensive searches for food. Many depend on street solidarity or begging to survive.

Who are the most affected by the food crisis in Cuba?

The most affected groups include the elderly, pregnant or nursing women, individuals with disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses. These populations face significant challenges in accessing necessary nutrition and care.

What role do international organizations play in addressing Cuba's food crisis?

International organizations like the FAO and WFP are urged to intervene and provide assistance amid the food crisis in Cuba. Their involvement is crucial for addressing the emergency that affects millions of Cubans.

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