Humanitarian donations from organizations in the United States to Cuba increased this year compared to last year and reached the highest figure since 2014.
The data was provided by the US-Cuba Trade and Economic Council (USCTEC), emphasizing that the amount reached by July 2024 is already higher than that of donations in 2023, and that personal donations or deliveries (made by travelers on flights and through third countries) are not included in the statistics.
The registered donations include, among others, items such as food, medical care supplies, clothing, and reading material. So far in 2024, the amount of these donations totals over 38 million dollars (US$38,907,503.00).
The data recorded up to July of this year already exceeds the total amount of donations for 2023 (US$36,563,551.00) by more than two million.
Except for 2019 and 2020, years in which a decline in the value of donations was recorded, the series from 2014 to the present shows a notable increase in this regard, calling into question the argument of the Cuban regime regarding the "genocidal blockade" and its "intensification."
"The donated items are not included in the calculations of the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSREEA) or the Cuban Democracy Act of 1992 (CDA). These items are generally delivered to the Republic of Cuba via air carriers or containers on ships; they do not include personal deliveries (by travelers on flights and through third countries)," explained USCTEC, an organization based in New York.
Similarly, he emphasized that “a significant amount and value in US dollars of items categorized as ‘humanitarian’ are transported from the United States to Cuba by passengers on authorized commercial flights.” These “humanitarian donations” (which include food, clothing, medicine, and other essential products that are in short supply in Cuba) are neither documented nor accounted for.
At the end of March 2022, amid the worsening crisis in Cuba, the United States government urged institutions and civil society actors to use the officially established channel to deliver humanitarian aid and send food and medical supplies to the Island.
"The State Department urges individuals, organizations, and banks to contact the Humanitarian Mailbox for Cuba (CubaHumanitarian@state.gov). Our team is a great resource for facilitating the export of humanitarian goods to Cuba or answering any questions," stated the U.S. embassy in Cuba.
The information was expanded upon by the Under Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Brian Nichols, who stated that his department was already "working with NGOs and religious groups to facilitate the export of medical and health-related equipment, staple food, basic toiletries, and hygiene products donated by American citizens."
During 2021 and up to the present, citizens, religious groups, and other civil society actors in the United States have been providing food, medicine, and medical equipment to the Cuban people, according to the website of the Global Public Affairs Office of the Department of State.
Considered as humanitarian exemptions to the U.S. embargo on Cuba, donations from U.S. civil society include food to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or individuals in Cuba.
Likewise, exports related to humanitarian issues are exempt from the restrictions of the embargo, including medicines, medical devices, and telecommunications items.
In order to accelerate the export of basic goods, medical equipment, and food to Cuba, the State Department declared that it is collaborating with NGOs and companies from the U.S. private sector.
"The State and Transportation departments have already approved two private charter airlines to deliver over 2.7 metric tons of care packages to cities across Cuba," they stated.
USCTEC insists: The amount reflects only the deliveries made in chartered flights or shipping containers, excluding contributions from people traveling to the island.
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