A Cuban woman named Magalis Rojas Rojas has been waiting for almost a decade for the government to fix her home, which was damaged by a cyclone in 2017. Despite her desperate situation, she has yet to receive the necessary resources to live in dignity, according to a report released by the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) this Wednesday.
In a video shared on social media by the OCDH, Magalis paints a harrowing picture of neglect: "The condition I live in, I have no help at all. I suffer from anemia, I'm hypertensive, I have thyroid issues, and now I have cancer," she lamented.
Her home, left unrepaired since the cyclone's aftermath, showcases the dire conditions she endures: "The kitchen is made from banana fiber, banana leaves, please, and the house is uninhabitable. Please, tell me," she pleaded in despair.
The Broader Crisis Facing Cubans
The OCDH highlights Magalis's plight as part of a widespread issue impacting millions of Cubans: "This is the grim reality for much of the 89% of the population living in extreme poverty in Cuba: individuals with scant resources striving to survive amidst destitution, neglect, and abandonment by agencies and institutions that continue to turn their backs on cases like Magalis's."
The cyclone that wrecked Magalis's home occurred in 2017, when Hurricane Irma—a category five storm—devastated over 158,000 homes in Cuba, completely destroying 14,657 and leaving more than 23,000 roofless.
Promises Unfulfilled
After Irma, the government pledged to cover 50% of the construction material costs for those affected, yet thousands of families never received this assistance, as documented by the OCDH.
Magalis's case is far from isolated. Rebuilding a home after a hurricane in Cuba is financially unfeasible for most, with the average monthly wage at a mere $13 against a basic living expense exceeding $138.
The Housing Crisis Deepens
The housing crisis for countless Cuban families worsens each year: by 2026, the housing deficit is projected to surpass 900,000 homes, with 35% of the existing stock in substandard or poor condition.
New housing development has plummeted: just 7,427 units were built in 2024—a 54% decrease from the previous year—and only 22% of the planned annual goal was met in 2025.
More than 94,000 homes remain in need of repair due to recent cyclone and earthquake damage, including over 40,000 in Pinar del Río affected by Hurricane Ian in 2022.
Nationwide Neglect
Similar stories to Magalis's have been reported across various provinces. One woman reported her 90-year-old mother's abandonment following a hurricane, and in Las Tunas, a mother with leukemia and her son live in dire poverty without state intervention.
The OCDH reports that 97% of Cubans have lost access to basic foodstuffs, and seven out of ten have skipped breakfast, lunch, or dinner, in a situation where the government continues to fail those, like Magalis, who have been pleading for aid for nearly a decade.
Understanding Cuba's Housing Crisis
What is the current housing crisis situation in Cuba?
Cuba faces a severe housing crisis with a deficit projected to exceed 900,000 homes by 2026, and 35% of the existing housing stock is in poor condition.
How has the Cuban government responded to the housing issues post-hurricanes?
The Cuban government promised to subsidize 50% of the construction materials for hurricane-damaged homes, but many families have not received this aid.
What challenges do Cubans face in rebuilding their homes?
Rebuilding is economically unfeasible for most Cubans due to the low average monthly salary of $13 compared to the basic living cost of over $138.