A flight from Madrid touched down in Havana on Wednesday night, delivering a fresh batch of humanitarian aid from the Spanish government to assist those impacted by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba.
State media journalist Adán Morell confirmed the arrival, sharing images of an Air Europa aircraft unloading the supplies. This effort was coordinated by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). "Solidarity arrives tonight from Spain," Morell noted on social media, alongside a video capturing the operation on the tarmac.
The shipment, according to Morell, comprises 2,184 family cooking kits, 1,600 tool kits, and 253 pairs of steel-toe work boots, with a total value of approximately 145,000 euros. This marks the third delivery from Spain since Hurricane Melissa devastated the eastern provinces of the island.
The official outlet Cubadebate also covered the donation's reception ceremony, attended by representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (MINCEX) and the Spanish Embassy's Chargé d'Affaires in Havana, Eduardo Sánchez Moreno. The diplomat described the aid as "a small contribution" to the affected families and emphasized the widespread solidarity mobilized from various Spanish regions.
Recently, Spain announced a 36-ton shipment of humanitarian aid to Cuba, including kitchen kits, tools, and rescue footwear, alongside a 500,000 euro fund aimed at providing shelter, healthcare, and clean water for around 100,000 affected individuals.
AECID explained that this initiative is part of an emergency response plan coordinated with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and several NGOs, ensuring a swift and transparent distribution to bypass state centralization, which has hampered previous international aid efforts in Cuba.
Meanwhile, independent efforts from Spain are also underway to support the hurricane victims. In Valencia, Cuban priest Olbier Hernández Carbonell, based at San Miguel de Soternes Church, is spearheading the "A Mattress, A Hope for Cuba" campaign, aimed at collecting mattresses, medicines, and food for families who lost their homes to the storm.
"We want to offer a bit of relief. A mattress isn't just for rest... it's hope and dignity regained," the priest expressed on his Facebook page, urging both the Cuban and Spanish communities to join the cause.
Hurricane Melissa left a trail of destruction in Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, Guantánamo, and Las Tunas, devastating thousands of homes, causing extended power outages, and leading to widespread shortages of food and medicine. In response, international cooperation and independent humanitarian networks are striving to mitigate the crisis amid growing criticism of the Cuban regime for its lack of transparency and sluggish distribution of resources.
Understanding Aid Efforts for Hurricane Melissa in Cuba
What items were included in Spain's humanitarian aid to Cuba?
The aid from Spain included 2,184 family cooking kits, 1,600 tool kits, and 253 pairs of steel-toe work boots.
How is the aid from Spain being distributed in Cuba?
The distribution is part of an emergency plan coordinated with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and various NGOs, aiming for quick and transparent delivery.
What independent efforts are being made in Spain to support Cuban hurricane victims?
In Valencia, Cuban priest Olbier Hernández Carbonell is leading a campaign called "A Mattress, A Hope for Cuba" to collect mattresses, medicines, and food for those affected by the hurricane.