The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is collaborating with 30 schools located in the eastern Cuban provinces of Guantánamo, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba, aiming to gradually enhance the water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions in these educational institutions. This initiative was revealed by the organization on its social media platforms last Friday.
Funded by the Government of Japan, this project is set to positively impact over 5,000 students and nearly 1,000 teachers by implementing measures to bolster the resilience of the participating schools.
The program is based on the "Three Star" methodology, a UNICEF approach designed to elevate schools from basic conditions to meet national standards progressively, focusing both on the habits of the school community and the available services and infrastructure.
Initial Steps and Progress
A crucial initial step involves gathering data on the actual access to water, hygiene, and sanitation at each school. According to UNICEF Cuba, this process is already underway. In July, schools such as "Ciro Frías Cabrera," "Camilo Cienfuegos," and "Conrado Benítez" in Pilón, as well as "Adalberto Pesant" and "Viet Nam Heroico" in Niquero, among others, were visited in the Granma region.
Broader Context and Challenges
This effort is part of a larger project formalized in December 2025, when Japan and UNICEF signed a cooperation agreement in Havana valued at approximately one million dollars, with a planned duration of 24 months. This agreement also includes improving maternal and child health services in vulnerable communities in eastern Cuba, indirectly benefiting around 145,000 people.
The intervention comes at a time of severe water and sanitation crisis in the region. In April 2026, the international organization acknowledged that 50 water supply systems in Santiago de Cuba were non-operational, with some communities experiencing up to 21-day cycles without service.
Impacts of Natural Disasters
In Guantánamo, hurricanes have damaged over 270 schools, forcing more than 20 to operate in alternative locations. In October 2025, a hepatitis outbreak was reported in schools in Las Tunas, also in the east, directly linked to poor sanitary conditions.
Previous Efforts by UNICEF
This is not the first time UNICEF has intervened in the area. In November 2025, the organization set up three portable water purification plants in Granma, capable of providing safe water for over 21,000 people daily, distributed more than 3,300 family hygiene kits, and donated materials to rebuild schools in Santiago de Cuba after Hurricane Melissa.
The "Three Star" methodology progresses in stages, starting with low-cost improvements like hand washing with soap and daily bathroom cleaning, advancing to progressively adapt facilities to national standards, ensuring potable water, and gender-separated clean bathrooms in every center.
Frequently Asked Questions about UNICEF's Efforts in Eastern Cuba
What is the "Three Star" methodology used by UNICEF?
The "Three Star" methodology is a UNICEF approach designed to progressively upgrade schools from basic conditions to meet national standards, focusing on community habits and available infrastructure.
How many schools are involved in the UNICEF initiative in eastern Cuba?
The initiative involves 30 schools across the eastern Cuban provinces of Guantánamo, Granma, and Santiago de Cuba.
Who funds the UNICEF project in eastern Cuba?
The project is funded by the Government of Japan, aiming to improve the resilience of schools and benefit students and teachers.