The Cuban activist Yunior Tamayo Barrios sought help through his social media to alleviate the dire situation of a mother from Sancti Spíritus, whose son suffers from severe malnutrition.
A video recorded by a young Cuban showcased the conditions in which the minor and his mother live, in a modest house made of wooden planks with a zinc roof. However, more shocking than the living situation were the images of the minor, who is in an advanced state of malnutrition, with a physique that is nothing but skin and bones.
The striking images of the boy from Sancti Spíritus, which seem to come straight from a concentration camp, immediately mobilized assistance from individuals who donated money to alleviate the situation of this vulnerable family.
At the time of writing this note, the age of the minor is unknown, as are the causes that have led to a remarkable weight loss. Tamayo Barrios' report did not specify any medical details about the case, nor the extent of awareness regarding the situation by the authorities.
The malnutrition of the child from Ciego de Ávila may be due to a serious deficiency in their diet, but it can also have medical causes, which should be identified in order to take appropriate action, not only by sending money or food but also by providing medication.
The child's prolonged confinement, who seems to spend most of the time in bed, has led to the development of bedsores on his skin, for which Tamayo Barrios requested medicine to treat them. “For now, I need ointments or something that will help with the bedsores,” said the activist on his social media.
After publishing the video, the young man received more than 580,000 pesos from donors moved by this heart-wrenching case of child malnutrition. For those interested in helping, the activist shared a bank account number for deposits in Cuban pesos (CUP): 9238129977993056, and another in freely convertible currency (MLC): 9235129974651312.
In addition, a phone number was provided to confirm the donation details via WhatsApp (56919202), or in case the donations wish to be made through the Zelle application.
Child malnutrition in Cuba: A growing problem that alarms society and international organizations
The case of the child from Sancti Spiritus with severe malnutrition is not an isolated incident, but rather a reflection of a food crisis that affects numerous minors in Cuba. In April 2024, a Cuban mother also desperately sought help for her severely malnourished son, in a context where shortages of food and medicine exacerbate the situation for the most vulnerable.
According to a UNICEF report published in June 2024, 9% of children in Cuba live in extreme poverty, with severe deficiencies in their nutrition and access to basic services. The organization warned about the impact of the economic crisis on Cuban children, noting that the lack of state resources and the absence of effective social assistance policies have worsened the situation.
The issue of malnutrition on the island has reached alarming levels. In December 2024, there was a drastic increase in hunger-related deaths in Cuba, with widespread deterioration in the population's diet. The lack of proteins and essential foods has hit children and the elderly the hardest, raising the rates of diseases related to malnutrition.
The case of the child from Sancti Spiritus and the mobilization of aid through donations reflect the solidarity of Cuban society in the face of a humanitarian crisis that continues to deepen. However, experts emphasize the need for structural solutions to ensure access to adequate nutrition and medical care for children on the island.
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