A baby with Down syndrome and a heart murmur is living under severe hardship in Santiago de Cuba alongside her single mother, Yarisel, who has sometimes gone days without food.
The situation was brought to light by activist Nairobis Sánchez in a Facebook post, where he urgently called for humanitarian aid.
"She is only four months old and bears no fault for the circumstances she was born into," Sánchez noted, describing Yarisel as "a humble yet diligent woman who makes ends meet by selling whatever people give her on the street, while striving to care for her daughter."
The Child's Fragile Health Requires Immediate Attention
The infant's condition demands constant care; she was hospitalized just two days ago at the Dr. Juan de la Cruz Martínez Maceira Children's Hospital and continues to face a dire situation.
Their living conditions are so dire that mother and daughter have frequently resorted to sleeping at the hospital. Currently, the baby is staying with an aunt because their home lacks basic living necessities.
Urgent Call for Basic Necessities
Sánchez pinpointed several urgent needs, including a mattress, food, clothing, hygiene products, a blender, and a rechargeable fan "due to the heat where they live," he explained, also mentioning the need for a stroller to ease the child's mobility.
The activist pleaded for compassion towards the mother. "No one fully knows what another person might be enduring," he wrote.
Those interested in helping or learning more about their plight can reach out at the number +53 6368 7051. The family resides at Callejuela Interior 20, between Martí and Julián del Casar, in Santiago de Cuba.
"Even if you can't contribute, sharing this information might help bring the case to those who can," Sánchez concluded.
Widespread Poverty Amid Humanitarian Crisis
Yarisel and her daughter's story is one among many in the midst of a humanitarian crisis that plagues the island. According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, extreme poverty affects 94% of Cubans.
In April, the Food Monitor Program (FMP) released a report titled "Economic Paralysis and Food Survival in Cuba," documenting severe food insecurity in five provinces: Havana, Matanzas, Cienfuegos, Guantánamo, and Santiago de Cuba.
Nairobis Sánchez is a well-known activist in the eastern city, using social media to highlight extreme vulnerability cases and galvanize public donations.
Just days before addressing this case, he shared the plight of another seven-month-old baby whose mother had passed, leaving him in the care of his sister without basic resources. His efforts underscore the lack of effective social safety nets in Cuba, where community solidarity attempts to fill the gaps left by state deficiencies.
Addressing Poverty and Vulnerability in Cuba
What is the current poverty situation in Cuba?
Extreme poverty affects about 94% of the Cuban population, according to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights.
How can I help families like Yarisel's in Cuba?
You can contribute by contacting the number provided or sharing the information to reach others who might be able to help.
Who is Nairobis Sánchez?
Nairobis Sánchez is a recognized activist in Santiago de Cuba, known for using social media to raise awareness and mobilize aid for those in extreme vulnerability.