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The Cuban banking system enabled special accounts this Tuesday to receive donations intended for recovery following the passage of the hurricane Melissa, which threatens the eastern provinces.
In a graph released by the Banco de Crédito y Comercio (BANDEC), there is an account in Cuban pesos (CUP) designated for "those affected by Hurricane Melissa": 0699983004299919.
Official sources indicate that the funds will be prioritized for the rehabilitation of housing, the restoration of basic services, and support for the families most affected in the eastern part of the country.
The official announcement, published before the cyclone reached Cuban territory, prompted an immediate and predominantly critical reaction among social media users.
Many express distrust that donations will reach families; they prefer that aid be delivered "directly to the people" or that the arrival of construction materials be allowed without bureaucratic obstacles or tariffs. Others recalled previous disasters and stated that they had seen promises of repair that were never fulfilled.
“It is better to deliver the aid directly to the families”, was one of the most repeated demands, accompanied by the request that independent organizations and foreign donors be able to collaborate without the same “bureaucratic hurdles” reported in previous emergencies.
Several comments also question the fact that there are already open accounts before the impact, and some are calling for the authorities and leaders themselves to be the first to contribute.
In parallel to the requests for assistance through the state banking system, there are specific civic proposals such as allowing tariff-free maritime imports of construction materials in sufficient quantities; enabling direct delivery channels for donations; and creating transparency mechanisms that allow for tracking how and where the raised funds are used.
Civil society organizations and independent volunteers have been identified by users as trusted channels for delivering aid. Additionally, some suggest that influencers or networks of active citizens on the island could serve as a bridge for distribution.
Several messages also demanded that situations in which donations end up being resold or subjected to fees before reaching those in need should not be repeated.
From an institutional perspective, bank accounts can facilitate the receipt of monetary resources from Cubans abroad and from entities that prefer electronic transfers over sending goods.
But the gap between that formal path and citizen perception—marked by skepticism about the state management of resources—presents an operational and political challenge, lacking public guarantees of transparency and credible accountability mechanisms. As a result, a significant portion of the population will choose parallel ways to provide assistance.
What can help close that gap:
- Immediately publish public and detailed reports on the management of the funds raised (allocation, amounts, beneficiaries).
- Allow and facilitate the arrival of independent aid and the importation of materials duty-free for rehabilitation.
- Enable verified alternative channels for direct donations to communities and local organizations recognized for their work on the ground.
- Create mixed commissions (state-civil society) to oversee distribution in the most affected provinces.
If you are going to donate: verify the account in the official communications from the bank or the government, prefer channels with receipts and request proof of delivery or public lists of beneficiaries. Many citizens prefer to give in person or through trusted networks; others expect the government to show through actions that the aid will not be diverted.
Hurricane Melissa has not yet finished its course, but the discussion taking place on social media anticipates another front of the emergency where the battle for trust is being fought.
In emergencies like this, speed matters, but without transparency, aid risks not reaching those who need it most. Any contribution, whether from within or outside Cuba, will be valuable if accompanied by clear guarantees about how and to whom it is delivered.
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