Mike Hammer, head of the United States diplomatic mission in Cuba, visited Villa Clara to directly assess the progress of the distribution of humanitarian aid sent by Washington to vulnerable families through Caritas.
The United States Embassy in Cuba reported this Sunday on the visit, during which Hammer met in Santa Clara with Monsignor Arturo González Amador, the bishop of the diocese, the director of Cáritas Santa Clara, Vanesa Hernández Toledo, and volunteers involved in delivering aid.
"It is always a pleasure to meet with Monsignor Arturo and see how we can cooperate with the Church for the benefit of the Cuban people," said Hammer during the visit.
The diplomat spoke with the religious leader about the Church's efforts to assist the most needy Cubans and, in particular, about the mechanism used to distribute the aid provided by the U.S. government.
Hammer also personally thanked Hernández and the volunteers who had participated the day before in the delivery of assistance in Quemado de Güines.
Volunteers from Cáritas explained to the head of the mission how the distribution had unfolded, which the Embassy described as carried out "effectively and with a lot of care."
The visit takes place just a few days after a shipment of 700 food kits and another 700 hygiene product kits arrived at the Abel Santamaría International Airport in Santa Clara, intended for vulnerable families in Quemado de Güines and Rancho Veloz.
The distribution later began directly to households in both localities, with the involvement of volunteers from Cáritas, religious individuals, and priests.
Priority beneficiaries include elderly individuals living alone, people with disabilities, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and families with young children in vulnerable situations.
The shipment is part of the 100 million dollar humanitarian assistance program announced by the United States for Cuba.
Of that amount, 60 million corresponds to the value of the aid and logistics channeled through the Catholic Church, while another 40 million is managed through other organizations.
The presence of Hammer in Villa Clara also occurs amidst a campaign denounced on social media against the diplomat, which includes accusations regarding the American aid whose truthfulness has not been able to be proven.
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