On Friday, volunteers from Cáritas Santa Clara, along with nuns and Father Andy Acosta, began distributing food and hygiene supplies directly to homes in Quemado de Güines and Rancho Veloz, located in the northern region of Villa Clara. This marks the arrival of the first shipment of humanitarian aid sent by the U.S. government to this diocese.
The shipment, consisting of 700 food kits and 700 hygiene kits, landed on Thursday at Santa Clara's Abel Santamaría Airport and was promptly transported to Quemado de Güines. There, it was stored securely inside the La Purísima Concepción church, which has been temporarily converted into a charitable warehouse.
Images shared by Cáritas show the church's central nave filled with hundreds of cardboard boxes bearing the American flag. Volunteers are seen carrying these boxes along dirt paths to modest homes in rural areas.
Each food kit includes essentials such as rice, beans, vegetable oil, brown sugar, pasta, sardines, and tuna. The hygiene packs contain solar lamps, water purification tablets, soap, detergent, toothbrushes, and toothpaste, among other basic items.
Prioritizing Those in Need
The distribution effort focuses on elderly individuals living alone, pregnant or nursing women, people with disabilities, children under five at risk, and single mothers with young children.
While Cáritas acknowledges that the assistance won't suffice to meet the beneficiaries' needs for an extended period, they emphasize the gratitude expressed by those receiving the aid.
"The harsh reality faced by many recipients of aid from the U.S. government is contrasted by the warm welcome they extend to those visiting their humble homes," Cáritas stated.
Extending Reach Across Cuba
This shipment is part of a $100 million humanitarian aid package announced by the United States for Cuba. The distribution is managed by Cáritas Cuba and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), bypassing the Cuban regime.
Of the total aid, $60 million is channeled through the Catholic Church, with the remaining $40 million distributed by independent, trustworthy non-governmental organizations.
The arrival in Villa Clara signifies the program's expansion into central Cuba, following initial deliveries in July to Bejucal and Alquízar in Havana province.
The first humanitarian flight departed Miami on July 21, carrying 18 tons of supplies. U.S. Ambassador Mike Hammer has overseen the process personally, visiting beneficiary families and reporting progress to Congress and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The program aims to reach between 100,000 and 120,000 Cuban families nationwide. Cáritas Santa Clara concluded their statement with a quote from Saint Teresa of Calcutta, encapsulating the mission's spirit: "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."
Frequently Asked Questions about U.S. Humanitarian Aid to Cuba
What is included in the humanitarian aid kits sent to Cuba?
The food kits contain rice, beans, vegetable oil, brown sugar, pasta, sardines, and tuna. The hygiene kits include solar lamps, water purification tablets, soap, detergent, toothbrushes, and toothpaste.
Who are the primary beneficiaries of the aid in Cuba?
The aid prioritizes elderly individuals living alone, pregnant or nursing women, people with disabilities, children under five at risk, and single mothers with young children.
How is the aid distributed in Cuba?
The distribution is managed through Cáritas Cuba and Catholic Relief Services, without the involvement of the Cuban regime. Volunteers deliver the aid directly to homes in need.