The Cuban activist Norge Ernesto Díaz Blak, known as Noly Blak, once again took to the streets of Holguín to deliver direct assistance to individuals in situations of extreme vulnerability.
In a video shared on Facebook, he is seen distributing 65,000 pesos among beggars, helpless elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and citizens living in poverty.
"Thanks to my friend Aida and Norlén, who sent me 65,000 pesos for the homeless, I will distribute it to the homeless," she explained at the beginning of the recording.
From that moment on, the camera follows him as he approaches older men sleeping in doorways, parks, or on sidewalks, individuals rummaging through the trash in search of food, and elderly women walking through the city showing obvious signs of hardship.
The images show that the money is organized into small bundles of 2,000 pesos, tied with a rubber band. Noly hands them out and repeats to each beneficiary: "Look, 2,000 pesos for you."
The scene repeats itself over and over again. Most of those receiving the money are elderly men, although there are also women, people with disabilities, and even mothers with children.
The video vividly depicts the environment: people left to their fate, beneath makeshift roofs or in public spaces; wearing tattered clothing and showing faces marked by hardship.
There are individuals rummaging through trash bins searching for something to eat. Others simply sit or lie on the sidewalks, watching over their few belongings.
This is a situation that highlights the grave social conditions in Cuba: citizens who are completely dependent on charity for survival and who lack a safe shelter or basic resources.
At the end of the video, Noly Blak reflects on the state's responsibility in this crisis.
"The only thing support groups can do is ease the pain. But we must learn to demand our rights. The food that you can't find on the streets is in the store for dollars, while we are not paid in dollars. It's a pity that Cuba has turned into a 'save yourself if you can' situation," he expressed.
And he did not conclude his message without acknowledging those who collaborate with him in his activism: "Thank you all for helping me help."
Videos like this highlight how, in the face of poverty and destitution, the government leaves many people without means to survive and takes advantage of private and charitable initiatives, such as Noly Blak's, to fulfill functions that should be the responsibility of the State.
This act of solidarity serves as a testament to the inequality and social neglect faced by the most vulnerable Cubans, especially the elderly, amidst a precarious economy characterized by a scarcity of food and essential services.
Noly's actions not only provide temporary relief from the suffering of these individuals but also highlight the urgent need for public policies that guarantee basic rights and protect those who are most in need.
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