Cuban mothers have expressed their outrage over the lack of milk distribution for children in Havana's stores, despite the month nearing its end. "Today is August 22, and at my store in Cerro, only 700 grams of milk have been delivered for children over three years old this entire month," a woman stated in the Facebook group "Madres cubanas por un mundo mejor". "This situation is the same in all the municipalities across the country. Where are we headed?" another mother added.
One Cuban mother reported that her store missed the milk distribution for the weeks of August 11 and 21. A resident of La Lisa confirmed that she also hasn't received the product for those weeks. "It's the same for everyone... it's a complete lack of respect... this will continue until all the mothers get angry and go to the Plaza... because they are testing their strength to completely take away milk from our children... and in all the MIPYMES (small and medium-sized enterprises), they have it at 2500... how long... how long will we keep enduring this, for God's sake," one woman commented. "I am ruined; it's a total lack of respect," she added.
Another mother from Guanabacoa stated, "They owe me from July 11... they also gave me the same amount of milk... it's a mockery with the children, there's a lack of everything... and in the MLC (freely convertible currency stores) here in Chivás, they reduced the milk that expires in a few days by only 50 cents, letting it spoil in the heat..."; "It's the same in all the stores. I live in Lawton, and nothing else has come," were other comments on the social network. A desperate mother declared that the situation "is heartbreaking." "And only God knows where the money for our children's milk is, as supposedly the MLC stores were meant to collect dollars to buy milk for children abroad. Well, that's what Marrero said," she emphasized.
According to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), Cuba currently produces less fresh milk than during the "special period" of the 1990s. In February, the Cuban government officially requested help from the World Food Programme (WFP) to address the problems of distributing milk to children under seven years old in the country.
Milk Distribution Issues in Cuba: Key Questions and Answers
Given the recent milk shortage in Havana, many Cuban mothers are left with numerous questions. Here we address some of the most pressing concerns surrounding this critical issue.
Why is there a milk shortage in Havana?
The milk shortage in Havana is primarily due to a significant decrease in domestic milk production, exacerbated by economic sanctions and inefficiencies in distribution.
What is the government doing to address the milk shortage?
The Cuban government has sought assistance from the World Food Programme (WFP) to help distribute milk to children under seven years old in the country.
How are mothers in Havana coping with the milk shortage?
Mothers in Havana are voicing their frustrations on social media and through community groups, demanding government action and expressing their concerns for their children's nutrition.