Cuba energy crisis: Humanitarian needs persist despite fuel supplies

Fuel shortages in the country worsened after Washington took action in late January to block oil supplies from entering the Caribbean nation.

Despite reports of limited fuel supplies, including a recent oil shipment sent by Russia that was allowed to dock by the United States despite a blockade last week,”Humanitarian needs in this country remain quite acute and persistent.”the top UN official in the country said on Monday, adding that the impact of the energy shock had ‘worsened’ since late March.

Resident Coordinator Francisco Pichonbriefed reporters in New York via video link, launching a Updated Action Plan aims to support around two million people in eight provinces.

The plan builds on previous recovery efforts from Hurricane Melissa focuses on the island’s collapsed power grid.

Surprise to everyday life

The humanitarian situation has reached a critical point after three months without enough fuel to meet the Caribbean country’s energy needs, which were largely met by Venezuela until President Nicolás Maduro was appointed to the US in January.

The crisis is made worse last month, when the national electricity system was cut off three timesplunged the country into darkness for days.

This energy shortage has paralyzed essential services. The health system faces a backlog of more than 96,000 pending operations, including 11,000 for childrenwhile the National Immunization Program has been postponed for thousands of babies.

Moreover, around one million people currently rely on water transport, a service that has been severely hampered by a shortage of diesel fuel.

Focus on vulnerable populations

Pichon emphasized that the crisis is not being felt equally, hitting Cuba’s most vulnerable groups the hardest.

With Cuba being the oldest country in Latin America, then The UN prioritizes the protection of nearly 300,000 senior citizens living alone, as well as more than 100,000 people with disabilities and 32,000 pregnant women..

“Humanitarian consequences continue every day, despite recent efforts to deliver fuel; this situation occurs amidst multiple shocks,” Pichon said.

To address this need, the UN presence in Cuba emphasizes a shift to sustainable energy reserve solutions.

The updated Action Plan includes installing solar power for irrigation systems, hospitals and schools, as well as strengthening water pumping infrastructure. to reduce dependence on the fragile national electricity grid.

‘Critical window of opportunity’

Although the UN has mobilized $26.2 million, there remains a significant funding gap of $68 million.

Mr. Pichon emphasized that point The UN is in close dialogue with national authorities and the private sector to identify logistics solutions that ensure the continuity of aid operations.

“We believe this is an important opportunity to mobilize resources and raise awareness of the urgency.”