In light of the energy crisis severely affecting the province of Matanzas and the rest of the country, the local government has implemented urgent food distribution measures to mitigate the impact of shortages on the population.
The decision is part of an emergency plan aimed at ensuring access to basic products amid prolonged blackouts and a precarious supply of essential goods.
According to statements gathered by TV Yumurí, agriculture in Matanzas plays a crucial role in this strategy. "Today we are focused on planting hardy crops such as cassava, bananas, taro, and sweet potatoes, as well as harvesting these products to ensure their availability at agricultural fairs," explained an official.
As part of these actions, fairs were organized in all municipalities on Saturday, and in the case of Matanzas and Cárdenas, also on Sunday, with an increased supply of products such as tomatoes, salads, cabbage, beets, and eggplants.
This Saturday, in an extraordinary meeting of the Energy Council presided over by the first secretary of the Communist Party in the province, Mario Sabines Lorenzo, and the governor Marieta Poey Zamora, a plan of measures was agreed upon to address the energy contingency:
- Food support in communities: Preparation and distribution of food in neighborhoods to ensure access to essential products.
- Differentiated attention to vulnerable groups: Strengthening the Family Care System (SAF) and other support mechanisms for populations in vulnerable situations.
- Suspension of non-essential activities: Reduction of consumption in sectors that are not vital, with the aim of prioritizing basic services.
- Strict control of large consumers: Strict supervision of entities with high electricity consumption to optimize available resources.
Another key aspect of the government strategy has been the arrival of a shipment of rice to the province.
According to local press reports, since last Thursday, 70 tons of cereal have arrived, which will allow the distribution of two pounds per consumer for the month of December. The distribution began in Cárdenas and Matanzas, and it is expected to gradually continue throughout the rest of the province.
This measure, although presented as a temporary solution, does not address the underlying concerns of the population regarding the supply crisis. The late arrival of rice and the limited quantity allocated to each citizen reflect the difficulties of the distribution system on the island, exacerbated by the 85% drop in national production of this food in 2023.
While the authorities try to stabilize the food supply, citizens are facing the uncertainty of an unprecedented energy crisis.
With power outages of up to 22 hours a day, the population relies on inadequate temporary measures that do not provide a long-term solution.
The combination of prolonged blackouts and shortages of essential products has led to increasing social discontent, reflected in the discontent expressed by the residents of Matanzas regarding the precariousness of their quality of life.
In this context, the province of Matanzas remains immersed in a landscape of economic and social instability, where uncertainty has become a constant for its residents. The energy and food crises highlight the fragility of the supply system and the government's inability to provide sustainable solutions to the basic needs of the population.
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