The European Union (EU) announced on Thursday an additional €2.7 million in aid to support Cuba's recovery following recent natural disasters, including hurricanes Oscar and Rafael, as well as two earthquakes. The EU delegation in Havana revealed that this new funding builds on the efforts made throughout 2024 in response to emergencies in the Caribbean nation.
"This funding demonstrates the EU's ongoing commitment to assist the most vulnerable populations affected by natural disasters, not only in Cuba but across the region," stated the official communication. With this allocation, the EU has provided a total of €4 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba this year, as reported by the news agency EFE.
In October, the EU dispatched €400,000 for food and medical assistance following the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar, which severely impacted the province of Guantánamo. Additionally, they funded an air bridge comprising five flights that delivered 107 tons of essential supplies from the European Humanitarian Response Capacity warehouses in Panama.
Earlier in 2024, the EU allocated €200,000 to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and contributed an additional €200,000 to the IFRC Disaster Emergency Fund.
International Support for Cuba
In recent weeks, Cuba has also received aid from countries such as Mexico, Japan, Spain, Russia, Venezuela, and Norway, alongside support channeled through multilateral organizations like the United Nations and various NGOs.
The recent natural disasters resulted in eight fatalities, damage to over 34,000 homes, the loss of 37,000 hectares of agricultural production, and significant disruptions to electricity, water, and communication services, according to official reports.