The House of Retreats and Convivences of El Cobre, in the diocese of Santiago de Cuba, welcomed 521 families affected by Hurricane Melissa over the weekend, who received a donation of food and hygiene items from the people of the United States, according to Cáritas Cuba.
The organization explained that the aid, intended for the eastern region—one of the hardest hit by the storm—was distributed for free and organized by volunteers from Caritas in the community, prioritizing individuals with disabilities, elderly people living alone, pregnant women, and sick children identified as the most vulnerable following last October's hurricane.
The process was guided by the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, the director of the diocesan Caritas, a representative from Catholic Relief Services, and the parish priest and rector of the Basilica Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charity, Rogelio Deán Puerta.
According to Ana María Piñol Navarrete, the director of Cáritas in that diocese, the aid "will continue until we reach 660 families that have already been identified as experiencing higher levels of vulnerability following the passage of the hurricane."
This shipment is part of a humanitarian operation by the United States government that involves three deliveries: two by air and one by sea, aimed at benefiting around 6,000 families in the dioceses of Bayamo-Manzanillo, Holguín-Las Tunas, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo-Baracoa. The second plane with humanitarian aid arrived in Santiago de Cuba with 528 kits of non-perishable food and 660 hygiene kits, which were transported to El Cobre for free distribution.
The U.S. Department of State indicated that the shipments are part of a three million dollar package committed by the Trump Administration for disaster assistance. “We have taken extraordinary measures to ensure that this aid reaches the Cuban people directly, without interference or diversion from the illegitimate regime,” stated the official communiqué.
The United States Embassy in Havana celebrated that the aid is reaching "those in greatest need" and stated that, if the distribution goes well, "more will come."
The shipment includes 528 kits of non-perishable food and 660 hygiene kits, as well as water treatment supplies and household items such as pots, sheets, blankets, and solar lanterns to mitigate power outages. In Holguín, Cáritas also began the distribution of these modules in affected communities such as Cacocum, with the support of volunteers and members of the local parishes.
Meanwhile, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement accusing Washington of “taking advantage of the tragedy caused by the hurricane as a tool to reinforce its political rhetoric and discredit the Havana government.” The document added that “the U.S. government is exploiting what seems to be a humanitarian gesture for opportunistic and politically manipulative purposes.”
The MINREX also stated that the Cuban authorities "became aware of the initiative through the Cuban Catholic Church" and reiterated that "any humanitarian contribution, regardless of its source, must go through the designated official channels for its reception, organization, and distribution."
In contrast, Cuban-American lawmakers supported the exclusion of the regime from the delivery process. “We all know that for years the murderous dictatorship in Cuba steals donations and then resells them to the people at exorbitant prices,” denounced Congressman Carlos Giménez. For her part, María Elvira Salazar stated: “By bypassing the regime, we support their struggle for freedom, not their oppressor.”
Hurricane Melissa, which struck eastern Cuba as a category 3 in October, left thousands displaced and caused severe damage to homes, crops, and infrastructure. The international aid managed by Cáritas aims to alleviate the basic needs of the most affected communities, which still face food shortages, blackouts, and difficulties accessing essential services.
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