The United Nations assured that it is “shoulder to shoulder with Cuba” amidst the difficult situation the island is facing and stated that it will do everything within its power to assist the Cuban people, during a meeting this Wednesday between Miguel Díaz-Canel and Kamal Kishore, the UN's special representative for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The meeting took place during a visit by Kishore to Cuba to learn about the country's experiences in disaster risk reduction, early warning systems, and actions regarding drought and climate change, reported the EFE agency.
During the meeting, the United Nations official assured that his office is aware of the difficulties the country is currently facing and the effects of the U.S. measures.
Kishore stated that his office will try to contribute so that the results achieved by the Cuban people can be greater.
For his part, Díaz-Canel stated that even "in the worst conditions of limitations" it is possible to make progress in reducing disaster risks.
The Cuban leader once again attributed part of the country's difficulties to the tightening of sanctions and U.S. restrictions on energy supply, which, he claimed, also impact Cuba's ability to tackle emergencies and disasters.
The statements from the UN representative come at a time when the international organization itself has expressed a growing concern about the humanitarian consequences of the Cuban energy crisis.
A recent report from the UN warned that repeated blackouts are disrupting access to electricity, drinking water, telecommunications, and health services, further deepening humanitarian needs in Cuba.
The UN particularly highlighted the impact on the healthcare system. According to the organization, power outages are compromising the operation of critical medical equipment, including incubators and ventilators, while interruptions in the cold chain could affect vaccination programs for nearly 70,000 children.
The problem also extends to the water supply. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) estimates that energy difficulties and a dry summer are affecting the supply for about 3.5 million people, approximately half of whom are residents of Havana.
The UN has underway a plan to provide vital assistance to approximately two million Cubans.
Of the approximately 94 million dollars allocated for financing it, by mid-September, 42 million had been received.
"The needs continue to surpass the available resources," the organization warned, identifying funding shortfalls especially in food security, health, water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The humanitarian initiative was presented in March, when the UN launched an emergency plan of over 94 million dollars that included mechanisms to ensure fuel for essential and humanitarian services.
The implementation of that assistance has not been free from difficulties either.
In April, the United Nations reported that approximately 170 containers of humanitarian supplies valued at around 6.3 million dollars were not reaching their intended recipients due to a lack of fuel.
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