Despite the arrival of limited fuel supplies, including a recent oil shipment from Russia that was permitted to dock by the United States, the humanitarian needs in Cuba remain “quite acute and persistent,” stated the top UN official in the country on Monday. The impacts of the energy shock have reportedly worsened since late March.
Resident Coordinator Francisco Pichon, briefing reporters in New York via video link, unveiled an updated Action Plan designed to support approximately two million people across eight provinces. This plan builds upon previous recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa, with a specific focus on the island’s deteriorating power grid.
Shock to Daily Life
The humanitarian situation has reached a critical point following three months of insufficient fuel to meet Cuba’s energy demands, which were largely supplied by Venezuela until the US measures at the end of January. The crisis was further aggravated last month when the national electrical system disconnected three times, causing widespread blackouts lasting for days.
This energy deficiency has paralyzed essential services. Health systems are facing a backlog of over 96,000 pending surgeries, including 11,000 for children, and the National Immunization Programme has been delayed for thousands of infants. Additionally, approximately one million people rely on water trucking, a service severely constrained by the lack of diesel.
Focus on Vulnerable Populations
Mr. Pichon emphasized that the crisis disproportionately affects the most vulnerable groups in Cuba. As the most aged country in Latin America, the UN is prioritizing the protection of nearly 300,000 elderly citizens living alone, over 100,000 people with disabilities, and 32,000 pregnant women.
“The humanitarian consequences continue every day, despite recent efforts to deliver fuel; the situation comes on top of multiple shocks,” Mr. Pichon stated. To address these pressing needs, the UN presence in Cuba is shifting towards sustainable energy backup solutions. The updated Action Plan includes the installation of solar power for irrigation systems, hospitals, and schools, alongside the reinforcement of water pumping infrastructure to reduce reliance on the fragile national grid.
‘Critical Window of Opportunity’
While the UN has mobilized $26.2 million, a significant funding gap of $68 million remains. Mr. Pichon stressed that the UN is working in close dialogue with national authorities and the private sector to identify logistical solutions that ensure the viability of aid operations. “We believe this is a critical window of opportunity to mobilize resources and raise awareness of the urgency,” he added.
