Havana/This Friday, the city of Santiago de Cuba received the second shipment of humanitarian aid from the United States destined for families affected by Hurricane Melissa in several provinces in the east of the country. On this occasion, the shipment includes 528 non-perishable food kits and 660 personal hygiene kits, as reported by Caritasthe Catholic Church organization in charge of distributing aid. In its statement, the institution refers to these shipments as “a gesture of charity and solidarity whose objective is to alleviate some of the needs in the communities that suffered the greatest impact of the meteorological phenomenon.”
As the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, warned two days ago, when the first plane was chartered from Miami with the aid promised to the Island after the cyclone, the United States coordinates the aid through the Catholic Church “to guarantee that the aid reaches the Cuban people directly, not to the illegitimate regime.” The supplies received this Friday will initially be transferred to the community of El Cobre, from where their delivery to the prioritized families will be coordinated, with the support of local volunteers.
The US coordinates aid through the Catholic Church “to guarantee that aid reaches the Cuban people directly”
Both this shipping as abovewhich arrived on Wednesday in the province of Holguín, are part of the Donald Trump Administration’s promise to assist those affected by the cyclone with aid worth three million dollars. The shipments are expected to reach around 6,000 families or 24,000 people. International organizations such as Catholic Relief Services and Cáritas Germany have participated in both operations, which have supported the logistics and financing of the aid.
The arrival of assistance from the United States has generated reactions and controversy. From Havana, Cuban authorities have reiterated their rejection of any political use of aid, although they have indicated that they are not opposed to receiving donations. At the same time, they have regretted “find out” through Cáritas, although the information has always been public.
Hurricane Melissa caused severe damage in the east of the country, affecting tens of thousands of homes and basic service networks such as electricity and water supply. Although no fatalities were officially reported, the area has not been able to recover. The arrival of these aid shipments seeks to alleviate, at least partially, the situation of families that still face the consequences of the cyclone. The provinces that will benefit from this assistance are Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma and Guantánamo.
