Fifteen non-governmental organizations denounce the worsening of the humanitarian crisis in Cuba following the energy collapse.

"This scenario had been warned about by experts and civil society due to the irresponsibility and ineffectiveness of the State," the organizations emphasized.

Apagones en Cuba (Imagen de referencia) © CiberCuba
Blackouts in Cuba (Reference image)Photo © CiberCuba

A group of fifteen non-governmental organizations (NGOs), both Cuban and international, has issued an alert about the humanitarian crisis in Cuba, which they claim has been dramatically worsened following the recent collapse of the energy system on the island.

In a statement disseminated on their platforms, the organizations describe an alarming scenario that profoundly affects the daily lives of Cubans and call for urgent intervention to prevent the situation from worsening.

In a joint document, the NGOs emphasize that the recent energy crisis is not an isolated event, but a "direct consequence of the structural deterioration affecting the Cuban nation at multiple levels."

The impact of prolonged blackouts and the lack of fuels, they say, is severely affecting the quality of life of the population.

"The electricity shortage is worsening existing problems, such as the lack of access to food, medicines, and other essential products, leaving the population in a state of complete vulnerability," the organizations point out.

The statement also highlights the direct consequences on essential services, such as the healthcare sector.

"Hospitals and health centers are experiencing power cuts that, in many cases, leave them inoperable for hours or even days. This endangers the lives of those who depend on continuous medical care, especially in emergency situations or for chronic patients," the NGOs state.

They add that "this situation has worsened the already precarious living conditions of Cubans, who now must face greater insecurity in accessing basic services."

The signatories of the complaint warn that the Cuban government has not implemented adequate or effective measures to mitigate the impact of this crisis on the population.

In their message, the NGOs denounce that government responses have been "insufficient and have come too late," and they criticize that concrete measures are not being taken to alleviate the suffering of citizens.

"The regime's inability to effectively tackle this crisis has further deepened the despair of the population, which feels abandoned and without answers from the authorities," they emphasize.

Among the problems arising from the energy collapse, rampant inflation and lack of access to basic products stand out, which have led the population to a state of "unprecedented despair."

The complaint also emphasizes that restrictions on freedom of expression and the lack of access to truthful information worsen the crisis, as Cubans are "deprived of the right to know the true extent of the situation" and cannot organize to find collective solutions.

The signing NGOs call on the international community to pay urgent attention to the serious situation in Cuba.

"It is essential for the international community to mobilize and act urgently to alleviate the suffering of the Cuban population. Citizens are facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, and a concerted effort is needed to ensure access to food, medicine, and other essential goods," the organizations urge.

They also request that international efforts be carried out through "humanitarian cooperation mechanisms that are not interfered with by political issues."

Finally, the organizations reiterate their call to the Cuban authorities to take immediate measures to address the crisis.

"We urge the Cuban government to guarantee access to the basic resources that the population needs to survive, and to put aside repressive policies that prevent Cuban civil society from organizing and responding effectively to this catastrophe," the statement concludes.

The signatories warn that, if urgent actions are not taken, the crisis in Cuba could "reach catastrophic levels, with irreversible consequences for the most vulnerable sectors of society, such as the elderly, the chronically ill, and children."

The call from the NGOs emphasizes the urgency of addressing the Cuban crisis, which they believe has been "aggravated by the lack of adequate responses and by the inaction of the government."

Signing organizations:

Cuba Decides.

Cuban Prisoners Defenders.

Patriotic Union of Cuba (UNPACU).

Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH).

Cuban Legal Information Center Cubalex.

Patmos Institute.

Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba (FDHC).

San Isidro Movement (MSI).

Council for Democratic Transition in Cuba (CTDC).

Women’s Network of Cuba.

Christian Liberation Movement.

Platform Otro18.

Cuba in PluralNational Cuban American Foundation (FNCA).

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