UN: Humanitarian Aid Not Reaching Cuba Due to Fear of U.S. Sanctions

A United Nations coordinator has warned that vital humanitarian aid is not reaching Cuba because companies are afraid of facing U.S. sanctions. Francisco Pichón, the UN's Cuba coordinator, told AFP that fear of sanctions and excessive compliance with restrictions are causing shipping firms, insurers, and banks to withdraw services.

This situation has led to significant delays and rerouting of essential shipments. As a result, critical supplies such as cancer medications for children, reproductive health kits for pregnant women, and even basic educational materials have been unable to reach the island. The lack of these necessities deepens an already challenging humanitarian crisis on the island.

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The fear of sanctions and excessive adherence to restrictions have led to shippers, insurance companies, and banks withdrawing from providing services, causing deliveries to be rerouted or delayed.

According to UN data, approximately 3.5 million people in Cuba are experiencing disruptions in their drinking water supply. Furthermore, about one million people rely on water tanks because pumping systems lack sufficient fuel and electricity. The U.S. has imposed a de facto blockade on fuel shipments to Cuba since January, severely worsening shortages and leading to prolonged electricity outages.

Only one fuel tanker has reportedly arrived in Cuba in the last seven months. Pichón cautioned that the humanitarian crisis is worsening, particularly impacting water supply and sanitation systems. This is especially concerning ahead of and during the hurricane season, raising the risk of disease outbreaks.

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Cancer medication for children, reproductive health kits for pregnant women, as well as containers with medicines and school supplies have not arrived in Cuba.