Humanitarian Assistance to Cuba
Last update: 11:03 p.m. EDT Sept. 20, 2008
WASHINGTON, Sept 20, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Cuba has suffered
great damage from multiple hurricanes since the end of August. In
response, the U.S. government has offered -- on four separate occasions
-- to provide the Cuban people with up to $5 million in emergency
humanitarian assistance to those in dire need. Some of this assistance
will soon arrive through relief and humanitarian organizations on the
ground. More is needed to help the Cuban people in the aftermath of
these disasters.
Yesterday, the U.S. government made a fourth unconditional offer of aid:
to provide relief supplies composed of family emergency shelters and
household kits directly to Cuban relief services. Some of these kits
include roofing materials and lumber for residential repair which will
assist up to 48,000 Cuban people affected by the hurricanes.
Our offers of direct assistance are unprecedented. The American people
want to help the people of Cuba. We want them to have critical
assistance now. Moving humanitarian assistance to those who desperately
need it should be everyone's top priority. The American people stand
ready to help.
Note: This hurricane season has also devastated the neighboring
island of Haiti. The U.S. government has mobilized nearly $30 million
for food, shelter, water, and relief commodities (hygiene kits, water
jugs, plastic sheeting, mosquito nets, and cooking materials) for the
people of Haiti. Just last week, to facilitate the movement and
distribution of emergency relief supplies, the U.S. government pledged
$2 million for emergency repair to key bridges and roads.
FACT SHEET
U.S. Offers New Direct Humanitarian Aid to Cuban Government;
Humanitarian Organizations Set to Move U.S. Aid to Cuba
The U.S. Government has made a fourth offer of critical humanitarian
assistance to the people of Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav
and Ike. In response to Cuba's humanitarian needs USAID is moving
forward to provide up to $5 million in emergency relief to Cuban
hurricane victims through international relief agencies and
non-governmental organizations.
In summary, the U.S. government has officially offered assistance to
Cuba on four separate occasions:
September 3, 2008:
The U.S. government issued a disaster declaration (on Hurricane Gustav)
and provided $100,000 in cash relief assistance to humanitarian
organizations on the ground.
The U.S. government also offered to provide a humanitarian assessment
team to assist in producing rapid emergency assessments of health,
sanitation, water, shelter and food.
September 12, 2008:
The U.S. government provided an additional $100,000(on Hurricane Ike) in
cash assistance to relief organizations on the ground, and affirmed our
intention to channel assistance through international organizations.
The U.S. government reiterated its offer to provide a humanitarian
assessment team.
September 13, 2008:
The U.S. government announced up to $5 million in a relief package that
included an unconditional offer of humanitarian assistance to benefit
135,000 Cuban hurricane victims. Despite the Cuban Government's
rejection of this offer, international relief agencies and
non-governmental organizations will receive U.S. government funding for
emergency relief assistance.
September 19, 2008:
The U.S. government offered to unconditionally provide additional relief
supplies directly to Cuba relief services at a value of approximately
$6.3 million. These supplies are composed of family emergency shelters
and household kits which will assist up to 48,000 Cubans affected by the
hurricanes.
The U.S. government will continue to monitor the situation in Cuba. For
more information about USAID and its programs go to www.usaid.gov .
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance
worldwide for nearly 50 years.
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development
http://www.usaid.gov
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