Spain began distributing humanitarian aid in Santiago de Cuba with a shipment of food and hygiene products intended for about 5,000 people, amid the energy crisis and shortages affecting the island.
The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) informed on X that it consists of 1,000 basic kits, while in a video from the ground, it detailed that the shipment was transported from Havana in a 40-foot container to that eastern province.
According to staff from Spanish cooperation, the kits include rice, legumes, canned goods, and hygiene items such as soap, towels, and feminine hygiene products, aimed at alleviating urgent needs in one of the regions most impacted by Hurricane Melissa.
The operation is part of a broader response to the worsening humanitarian situation in Cuba, characterized by prolonged blackouts, fuel shortages, and difficulties accessing basic services such as drinking water and medical care.
As part of a second phase, Spain plans to install photovoltaic systems in schools, community centers, and health facilities to mitigate the impact of the energy crisis, with an estimated reach of thousands of additional beneficiaries.
According to the official statement, these actions are complemented by other support programs channeled through international organizations such as the World Food Programme and the Pan American Health Organization.
The Spanish Foreign Minister, José Manuel Albares, also stated on social media that the aid aims to address the most urgent needs of the Cuban population and reiterated Spain's commitment to humanitarian support on the island.
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