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The humanitarian project "Dar es Dar," dedicated for over five years to distributing free medications to vulnerable individuals in Cuba, has launched a public appeal for help to continue its work.
The initiative, which has thrived thanks to volunteer work and donations from both within and outside the Island, is currently facing serious challenges in transporting medicines due to rising costs and transportation limitations.
According to a campaign published on the platform GoFundMe, the organizers explain that the distribution of medications has been one of the main areas of focus for the project.
For more than five years, they have provided support to thousands of people in need of medicines who do not have access to them, a sustained effort backed by a network of collaborators and volunteers.
“All thanks to the unconditional support of many hands and volunteers, both inside and outside the Island,” the petition states, particularly expressing gratitude for the help from support groups in Madrid and the United States, who have contributed to collecting medications, sending them, and accompanying the solidarity work.
However, the current context has severely affected the logistics of the project. According to the organizers, the transportation of medications has become increasingly difficult, forcing them to pay for taxis, couriers, or various means of transport to make the deliveries.
That situation is no longer sustainable.
"It is urgent to acquire transportation that facilitates the continuity of this work," they explain in the campaign, in which they seek collaboration from friends, project members, and supportive individuals both within and outside of Cuba to raise the necessary funds.
The immediate goal is to purchase a means of transportation that allows for the distribution of medicines to vulnerable individuals.
Public call for solidarity
From the United States, the Cuban academic, researcher, and activist Mabel Cuesta, who has collaborated with the initiative for years, also shared the appeal for help on social media, where she explained the urgency of the situation.
In a post on Facebook, she recalled that the project has been supported by collaborators for over seven years and has participated in numerous humanitarian actions during times of crisis in the country.
According to Cuesta, "Dar es Dar" has distributed medications throughout Havana and has provided assistance to various areas of the Island during emergencies such as tornadoes, hurricanes, fires, landslides, and the pandemic.
He detailed that the project needs to gather 600 dollars to complete the purchase of an electric motorcycle, which would facilitate the continuation of medicine distribution in the city.
The activist noted that several people have already contributed financially and appealed for small donations to quickly reach the goal.
"If each of the dozens of people to whom I've given Patricia's number in Havana to take medicine to their relatives contributes 3 or 5 dollars, that motorcycle will be bought tomorrow," he wrote.
Cuesta emphasized that the motorcycle would allow the solidarity work to continue and highlighted the importance of the person responsible for delivering the medications.
A civic network for humanitarian aid
The "Dar es Dar" project has developed an informal support network over the years, based on collaboration among citizens, activists, and members of the Cuban diaspora.
His work has mainly involved collecting medications and other supplies, organizing their shipment, and distributing them free of charge to individuals who have difficulty obtaining them.
The work is carried out by volunteers who manage donations from various countries and direct them to needy communities in Cuba.
Solidarity actions in response to recent emergencies
In recent years, the project has also participated in several humanitarian aid campaigns following natural disasters and local crises.
In October last year, following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa in eastern Cuba, "Dar es Dar" launched a solidarity campaign to collect food, clothing, medicine, and basic products for the affected communities.
Through social media, activists called for gathering aid in Havana to send to provinces like Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, and Guantánamo, where thousands of families have been left in critical condition following the cyclone's passage.
The initiative reflected the efforts of citizens who, amid blackouts, shortages, and the deterioration of basic services, have organized support networks to assist those affected.
The organizers insisted that every contribution, no matter how small, could help alleviate the situation of communities facing damage to homes, power outages, and isolation in some areas.
Previous experience in other disasters
The participation of "Dar es Dar" in aid efforts is not recent.
In 2022, following the impact of Hurricane Ian in the western part of the country, activists noted that the project was the first of the Cuban civil society to arrive with humanitarian aid to Pinar del Río.
At that time, donation collection campaigns were organized both on and off the Island.
From Spain, for instance, activist Leisam Rubio promoted the collection of hygiene products, non-perishable food, and medications to send to those affected.
A project that strives to stay active
Now, faced with logistical difficulties in continuing the distribution of medications, the organizers of "Dar es Dar" are once again turning to the support of their network of collaborators.
The campaign aims to raise the necessary funds to acquire an electric motorcycle that will facilitate transportation and allow for the continued delivery of medications to vulnerable individuals.
"We believe that in unity there is strength, and only with your sincere collaboration will we be able to continue providing love, assistance, and medication," concludes the request shared by the project.
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