On Friday, a second aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from the United States landed at Santiago de Cuba's Antonio Maceo International Airport. This shipment is intended to support thousands of families impacted by Hurricane Melissa in the eastern part of the island.
Cáritas Cuba confirmed the arrival, noting that the supplies are meant to aid approximately 6,000 families across the four dioceses of the Eastern Region: Bayamo-Manzanillo, Holguín-Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo-Baracoa.
The relief includes 528 kits of non-perishable food items and 660 hygiene kits, which will be distributed to communities that endured the most severe damage from the storm. These essentials are critical for daily living in a situation where many have lost homes, belongings, and regular access to vital resources.
Cáritas emphasized that this shipment signifies a "gesture of charity and solidarity" from the American people, aiming to address some of the most urgent needs of those left in vulnerable conditions after the hurricane's devastation.
The Catholic Church and Cáritas Cuba are overseeing the delivery and distribution of this aid, driven by their commitment to the most affected sectors. The organization highlighted that the process is conducted at no cost, with support from church volunteers in each diocese.
A significant portion of the donation will be transported to the community of El Cobre, where the distribution of each kit to the families in need will be organized, with assistance from the diocesan Cáritas in Santiago de Cuba.
This second shipment comes on the heels of an initial delivery received earlier, as part of ongoing humanitarian efforts following Hurricane Melissa's destructive path, which caused extensive damage to homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods in various eastern Cuban provinces.
Cáritas reiterated its focus on reaching the hardest-hit communities, where many are still struggling to meet basic needs like food and hygiene. The organization also underscored the importance of community work and local volunteers, ensuring that the aid reaches families directly and prioritizes those in greatest need.
Humanitarian Aid and Relief Efforts in Cuba
What types of aid were included in the second shipment to Cuba?
The second shipment included 528 kits of non-perishable food items and 660 hygiene kits for distribution to the communities most affected by Hurricane Melissa.
Who is coordinating the distribution of aid in Cuba?
The distribution is being coordinated by the Catholic Church and Cáritas Cuba, with the support of church volunteers in each diocese.
How does this aid reflect the relationship between the U.S. and Cuba?
This aid represents a gesture of charity and solidarity from the American people, aiming to support those in vulnerable conditions in Cuba, despite political tensions between the two countries.