On Tuesday, Caritas Cuba received the initial shipment of humanitarian aid at Havana's José Martí International Airport. This shipment is part of a $100 million aid package announced by the U.S. government, with Caritas Cuba set to distribute $60 million of it.
The delivery, carried out by 7Air Cargo from Miami, was welcomed by Cardinal Juan de la Caridad García Rodríguez, alongside Carmen María Nodal Martínez, the director of Caritas Cuba, and Ángel Miguel Gutiérrez Valdivia, the diocesan director of Caritas Havana.
The statement from Caritas Cuba noted that the shipment includes "food and hygiene kits aimed at supporting 700 families within the Archdiocese of Havana, distributed according to the established vulnerability criteria for such aid."
Caritas Cuba stressed that the distribution will be handled by parish community volunteers, who are already organized to ensure the process is efficient and effective.
Moreover, the organization was explicit in stating that the volunteers will conduct the distribution "with a focus on respect and close accompaniment of the beneficiaries, prioritizing transparency and humane treatment in each community."
According to Caritas Cuba, the remainder of the donation will be managed in successive phases, "within the context of the increasing humanitarian cooperation efforts undertaken on the island since the beginning of this year."
Although Caritas Cuba's statement did not specify the "vulnerability criteria" to be used, in the past it has prioritized "single mothers with young children, the elderly, people with disabilities, and individuals with limited or no mobility."
This shipment is part of a larger humanitarian assistance program of up to $100 million announced by Washington.
Of this total, $60 million will be distributed through the Catholic Church, with the remaining $40 million managed by independent non-governmental organizations, aiming to reach between 100,000 and 120,000 families across the country.
The first flight departed from Miami to Havana with food and hygiene items after the Cuban government formally accepted the assistance.
The kits include items such as rice, beans, tuna, sardines, oil, spaghetti, sugar, and salt, along with hygiene products, and in some cases, flashlights and buckets.
The boxes identify the contribution as a gift from the American people to the citizens of Cuba.
The initiative, presented by the United States, is part of a direct assistance plan for the Cuban populace, with a commitment to support a "free and prosperous" Cuba, and a warning that any attempt to interfere with or divert resources will result in accountability for the island's authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Caritas Cuba's Humanitarian Aid
What kind of aid is Caritas Cuba distributing?
Caritas Cuba is distributing food and hygiene kits, which include items such as rice, beans, tuna, sardines, oil, spaghetti, sugar, salt, and hygiene products, with some kits also containing flashlights and buckets.
Who is eligible to receive the aid from Caritas Cuba?
The aid is distributed based on vulnerability criteria, often prioritizing single mothers with young children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those with limited or no mobility.
How will the humanitarian aid from the U.S. be divided in Cuba?
Out of the $100 million aid package, $60 million will be distributed through the Catholic Church, and the remaining $40 million will be managed by independent non-governmental organizations.