The United Nations has identified Cuba as one of the 12 humanitarian crises with the least funding globally. As a result, the UN plans to announce a financial aid package of four million dollars as crucial assistance, according to a report by Diario de Cuba released this week.
The Global Aid Package
This announcement is part of a broader 160 million dollar package that the UN's Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) unlocked on October 2 to address these twelve emergency situations, according to the independent media outlet.
Cuba's Allocation and Its Significance
Cuba's portion of the aid is notably the smallest, a stark contrast to the 18 million dollars allocated for Afghanistan, Yemen, or the Occupied Palestinian Territory, and the 16 million for Somalia and Sudan.
Addressing Humanitarian Needs
The inclusion of Cuba on this list is an institutional acknowledgment of the significant gap between the country's humanitarian needs and the resources available to meet them. With this allocation, CERF's total funding for Cuba will reach 483 million dollars by 2026.
Broader Humanitarian Plan
This new funding complements a broader humanitarian initiative launched by the UN in March 2026, worth 94.1 million dollars, aimed at assisting nearly two million people across 63 municipalities in eight Cuban provinces. However, by mid-September, this plan had only secured 42 million, less than half of what is needed, leaving a shortfall exceeding 52 million dollars.
The Energy Crisis at the Core
The underlying issue is predominantly energy-related. The National Electric Power System has suffered at least seven massive collapses throughout 2026, causing blackouts lasting up to 48 hours in provinces like Santiago, Holguín, and Matanzas, and between 15 to 20 hours in Havana. In August, Cuba's power generation met less than a third of the national demand.
Consequences of the Crisis
The ripple effects are severe. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimated that approximately 3.5 million people are affected by water shortages, while UNICEF warned that power outages jeopardize the vaccination of about 70,000 children.
Official Acknowledgment and External Appeals
UN Resident Coordinator in Cuba, Francisco Pichón, described the situation as a "systemic energy shock" and "the main multiplier of humanitarian risks." In April, Pichón cautioned that "the energy crisis has a systemic and increasingly severe impact on health, water and sanitation, food systems, education, transport, and telecommunications."
The Cuban regime itself admitted that in April 2026, only one fuel ship arrived instead of the eight required monthly, illustrating the extent of the shortage. This was compounded by structural damage from Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island as a category three storm in October 2025, affecting over two million people.
Pichón advocated for negotiating with the United States for a humanitarian exemption for oil and aid directed to Cuba, highlighting the central role of fuel shortages in the crisis.
From October 2025 to mid-September 2026, around 1.6 million people received some form of assistance under the UN's humanitarian plan, a figure that underscores the extensive gap of over 52 million dollars still needed to fully fund this effort.
Understanding the Humanitarian Crisis in Cuba
Why is Cuba considered one of the most underfunded humanitarian crises?
Cuba is recognized as one of the most underfunded humanitarian crises due to the significant gap between its critical needs and the available resources to address them, particularly in the areas of energy, health, and water.
How is the energy crisis impacting Cuba?
The energy crisis has led to frequent and prolonged blackouts, affecting essential services like health care, water supply, and food systems, thereby exacerbating the overall humanitarian situation in Cuba.
What steps has the UN taken to assist Cuba?
The UN has allocated funding through CERF and launched a broader humanitarian plan to provide essential aid, aiming to assist millions of Cubans affected by the ongoing crises.