The Cuban government will gain access to $11 million in humanitarian aid mobilized by the United Nations, as part of an Action Plan designed to address the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa on the island.
The announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment (MINCEX), which shared on social media that the resources are currently being managed by UN agencies operating in Cuba, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), UNICEF, UNDP, WFP, and UNFPA.
According to the official release, the plan aims to mobilize a total of $74 million in immediate assistance, targeting over one million people affected, particularly in the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, and Guantánamo.
The MINCEX statement highlighted that the first additional resources, beyond those prepositioned by international agencies, have already been received, and new shipments of emergency supplies are expected in the coming days.
The UN plan is focused on ensuring the provision of food, medicines, clean water, energy, and temporary shelter, as well as supporting the rehabilitation of basic services in areas hit by flooding and housing loss.
In recent weeks, the UN and its agencies have spearheaded efforts in eastern Cuba, distributing food, essential items, and solar photovoltaic systems, along with setting up mobile warehouses to secure the storage of supplies in Granma and Santiago de Cuba.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) have also been involved in sending medications, while the World Food Programme (WFP) continues distributing rice, peas, and oil in emergency shelters.
Despite the Cuban government's attempts to portray these operations as part of a "national coordination," the reality is that the UN and international cooperation have taken the lead in the humanitarian response, due to the lack of resources and inefficiency of the state apparatus.
With this latest allocation, the government seeks to address the absence of domestic funding and the logistical challenges of the state system, amidst an economic crisis, shortages, and deteriorating public infrastructure.
Meanwhile, international aid continues to arrive by air and sea, managed directly by UN agencies, which have become the primary support in the face of the emergency that the Cuban government struggles to handle on its own.
Key Questions about UN Aid to Cuba
What is the total amount of aid mobilized by the UN for Cuba?
The UN has mobilized a total of $74 million in immediate assistance for Cuba, with $11 million specifically allocated for humanitarian aid.
Which areas in Cuba are primarily targeted for this aid?
The aid primarily targets the eastern provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Granma, Holguín, and Guantánamo, which were severely affected by Hurricane Melissa.
What types of support does the UN plan to provide?
The UN aid focuses on providing food, medicines, clean water, energy, temporary shelter, and supporting the rehabilitation of basic services in affected areas.