An emergency humanitarian aid shipment sent by the Government of China arrived this weekend in Havana to assist those affected by Hurricane Melissa in the eastern provinces of Cuba, state media reported.
The shipment, transported on an Air China airplane, is the first of six scheduled flights within a new batch of donations that includes food and basic materials intended for the areas most affected by the storm.
In the reception ceremony held at the José Martí International Airport, the deputy ministers Aracelys Cardoso Hernández of Domestic Trade and Débora Rivas Saavedra of Foreign Trade and Foreign Investment participated, along with the ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Cuba, Hua Xin.
During the event, Hua Xin emphasized that the swift realization of this emergency humanitarian aid is a clear demonstration of the friendship and brotherhood between both peoples, as reported by Cubadebate.
According to the data provided by the diplomat and shared through official channels, the assistance includes 3,200 boxes of cookies (16 tons), 4,500 boxes of instant noodles (13 tons), 3,000 portable solar lighting kits, 8,000 mattresses, and 1,000 tons of galvanized steel coils intended for roof repairs.
The ambassador explained that five additional flights will transport more food until the planned 30 tons are completed, while upcoming maritime shipments will arrive at the port of Santiago de Cuba with photovoltaic systems, lanterns, and other recovery supplies.
The Deputy Minister Cardoso Hernández expressed gratitude for the gesture on behalf of the Government and people of Cuba and assured that the resources “will reach their destination as soon as possible.” She added that the donated supplies, which include food, portable lighting kits, mattresses, and rolls of galvanized steel, will contribute to the well-being and comfort of those affected, as well as to strengthening the recovery efforts in the country.
The ambassador Hua Xin himself shared images of the flight's arrival on the social network X (formerly Twitter), where he wrote that the first air shipment of food provided by the Chinese Government as emergency humanitarian aid to Cuba had arrived in Havana.
On October 31, China sent one thousand emergency family kits to Cuba for the victims of Hurricane Melissa. This initial donation, managed by the Chinese Red Cross, included basic hygiene items, shelter provisions, and essential utensils, distributed in coordination with the Cuban Red Cross and local authorities.
So far, 27 countries and international organizations —including the United Nations, Venezuela, Japan, Spain, Mexico, and Switzerland— have sent humanitarian aid to the island, according to data cited by EFE. The UN has launched an action plan to raise $74.2 million, aiming to assist one million people and restore essential services in the most affected areas.
However, on previous occasions, the Cuban authorities have been criticized for a lack of transparency in the distribution of international donations, raising concerns among those affected who are still seeking support following the hurricane.
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