The story of a Cuban child with cerebral palsy exposes the dramatic reality facing many families on the island in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, which swept away what little they had.
The Cuban Observatory of Human Rights (OCDH) reported on its X account that, during the delivery of aid in the affected provinces, they have found “families living in a truly inhumane situation.”
The organization warned that the problem is not only due to the effects of the cyclone but also to "decades of impoverishment and neglect by the State."
In one of the videos shared by activists, the precarious living conditions of a 14-year-old teenager with cerebral palsy are shown.
The boy lives in a house with wooden walls, a dirt floor, and a roof damaged by Hurricane Melissa.
The images reveal that there are hardly any windows or basic conditions to inhabit the place.
According to the minor's mother, the Cuban regime pays her only 2,500 pesos per month to take care of him, and she does not receive any other assistance.
"It’s not enough even to buy the medication the child needs," said the person who made the video with evident distress.
That person described the scene as "one of the most difficult situations we have documented," although they did not specify the exact location of the family, which is apparently in the eastern part of Cuba.
The OCDH called for solidarity and support for cases like this, which reflect the social collapse of a country where —according to the organization— 89% of households live in extreme poverty.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa has exposed a harsh reality that affects thousands of families in Cuba.
Among the most alarming cases is that of a pregnant mother with three young children who was found living in the ruins of a house without a roof or stable walls.
The family was sleeping among plastics and cardboard, without access to drinking water or food, in conditions of extreme vulnerability.
This case sparked an immediate reaction on social media, where citizens both inside and outside the country began to organize to offer assistance.
Within hours, donations of food, clothing, and construction materials were mobilized, and solidarity networks were activated to ensure immediate support.
Neighbors also joined in with concrete gestures of support, despite the widespread shortages affecting the country.
Another case that reflects the seriousness of the situation is that of a Cuban mother with five children who lost everything. The cyclone completely destroyed her home, leaving them without shelter or belongings.
The woman recounted that she was left "with nothing" and has not received any form of official assistance. Her testimony reflects the desperation of many other Cubans who, in addition to the impact of the hurricane, must confront state abandonment and pre-existing precariousness.
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