The United States government has reaffirmed its commitment to channel humanitarian aid for the Cuban people, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, exclusively through the Catholic Church and the organization Caritas, bypassing any intervention by the Havana regime.
"In Cuba, distribution will occur via the Catholic Church and Caritas directly to the affected individuals," declared the U.S. Embassy in Havana on its official account on X (previously known as Twitter), reiterating Washington's policy to ensure that aid reaches the population without government oversight.
A statement from the State Department indicated that the U.S. government allocated an initial sum of $24 million to provide emergency aid to countries impacted by Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm that battered the Caribbean in late October.
This announcement comes amid recent claims by the regime that any aid would be routed through their official channels.
The United States has provided an initial $24 million in life-saving emergency assistance earmarked for Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas, and the Cuban populace, to support those affected by the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa.
Washington announced allocations of $12 million for Jamaica, $8.5 million for Haiti, $3 million for Cuba, and $500,000 for the Bahamas, following the hurricane's passage through these nations.
The funds are intended to deliver temporary shelter, potable water, sanitation, hygiene supplies, food assistance, and emergency medical care.
Moreover, the U.S. government's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) continues to assess needs in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean for future aid phases.
The decision to route aid through the Catholic Church and Caritas in Cuba underscores Washington's stance against providing funds directly to Miguel Díaz-Canel's government, attributed to a lack of transparency and a history of diverting humanitarian resources during previous crises.
Diplomatic sources emphasize that the primary goal of this aid is to assist those affected in the eastern provinces, notably in Granma, Holguín, and Las Tunas, where Hurricane Melissa inflicted severe material damage, inundated communities, and led to thousands of evacuations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who authorized the fund distribution, stated that the U.S. humanitarian response aims to "save lives and support the most vulnerable populations," ensuring that the assistance "reaches the Cuban people, not the regime."
Conversely, the Havana regime formally expressed gratitude for the aid offer but insisted that any donations would be processed through their official channels.
The official text underscores that resource distribution will be conducted "in accordance with requirements aligning with damage assessments and the most urgent needs" and "in coordination with our authorities," reinforcing state control over the aid process.
Understanding U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
Why is the U.S. channeling aid through the Catholic Church in Cuba?
The U.S. is channeling aid through the Catholic Church to ensure that it reaches the affected Cuban people directly, avoiding government intervention, due to past issues of mismanagement and lack of transparency by the Cuban regime.
What is the total U.S. aid allocated for Hurricane Melissa relief efforts?
The United States has allocated a total of $24 million for emergency relief in response to Hurricane Melissa, which includes aid for Jamaica, Haiti, Bahamas, and Cuba.
How will the aid be used in the affected regions?
The aid will be used to provide temporary shelter, clean water, sanitation, hygiene supplies, food assistance, and emergency medical care to those impacted by the hurricane.