The Methodist Church continues to provide aid to those affected by Hurricane Melissa in Cuba

The Methodist Church in Cuba reported that it continues to provide assistance to families affected by Hurricane Melissa, which struck the eastern part of the country at the end of October.

In a post on their Facebook page, the religious organization shared new images of their humanitarian efforts, accompanied by the message: “Aid continues for families affected by Hurricane Melissa. This is the Church.”

The photographs show pastors and volunteers distributing food, drinking water, and essential items to residents in affected communities in eastern Cuba. Other images depict destroyed homes and families who lost nearly all their material possessions during the storm.

In previous days, the Methodist Church had begun delivering humanitarian aid in Santiago de Cuba, one of the provinces most affected by the hurricane, with the support of pastors and volunteer teams who also transported a generator to areas without service. On that occasion, the institution expressed gratitude for the support received and published the biblical message: “As one man from Dan to Beersheba,” while announcing the expansion of its efforts to other regions in eastern Cuba.

The hurricane Melissa left thousands affected and caused severe material damage in Guantánamo, Granma, Holguín, and Santiago de Cuba, with power outages, destroyed homes, and communities without access to drinking water or basic services.

In parallel, the Cuban influencer and opposition figure Alexander Otaola criticized this Sunday the announcement by the United States government to channel part of the humanitarian aid to Cuba through the Catholic Church. In a post on his Facebook account, he wrote: “Sending aid to the Cuban people through the Catholic Church is the same as giving it to the Department of Religious Affairs of the PCC. Cash in hand. The same mistakes cannot be repeated. #lostaid U.S. Department of State.”

The communicator recalled that on previous occasions, donations sent through religious institutions were held up at the port of Mariel and "it was never known where they ended up." He also denounced that "later, they sell the aid in stores for dollars, and families in Cuba have to buy what you donated."

According to the Western Hemisphere Affairs Office of the State Department (WHA), U.S. aid aims to ensure that resources reach “those in eastern Cuba who were most affected by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa,” reinforcing Washington's commitment to supporting the Cuban people.

The presenter’s statements were published shortly after the international assistance plan was revealed, sparking a wide debate between those who support his position and those who defend the role of religious institutions in the distribution of donations.