Cuba: UN warns of possible humanitarian ‘collapse’ as oil supplies dwindle

The United States has threatened to impose tariffs on any country that supplies oil to Cuba, increasing pressure on the island after a decades-long trade embargo and the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro last month.

Venezuela had been the main oil supplier to Havana, but Washington has increased pressure on Cuba in recent weeks, including an executive order last Thursday threatening to impose additional tariffs on countries that sell oil to Cuba, including Mexico.

“I can tell you that the Secretary General is extremely concerned about the humanitarian situation in Cuba, which will worsen, if not collapse, if oil needs are not met,” said UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.

Noting that the General Assembly has been calling for an end to the US embargo for more than 30 years, the UN chief said: “The Secretary-General urges all parties to pursue dialogue and respect for international law.”

Fuel crisis

The fuel crisis has driven up food prices for Cubans, led to severe fuel shortages and major power outages across the country.

“What we are seeing now, especially after the recent events in Venezuela, is clearly a combination of emotions,” he said Francisco Pichonthe top UN official in Cuba, describing “a mix of resilience, but also sadness, grief and outrage, and some concern about regional developments.”

Thirty-two Cubans were killed in Venezuela on January 3 during the US operation to capture Maduro.

The UN’s humanitarian work in Cuba

Mr. Pichon spoke to UN news from Havana last month, where the power had just gone out in his office. The UN team said the vast majority of Cubans are affected by rolling blackouts, at a time when the number of people in vulnerable situations has increased significantly.

Even before the latest regional developments, the UN has been working with the Cuban government to develop ideas and support development, including ways to diversify the Cuban economy.

“The energy transition is an important priority due to reduced access to fuels and infrastructure problems” said Mr Pichon, noting that investment needs remain a sticking point.

Changes are urgently needed

“The past two years have been quite tough,” he added, stressing that urgent changes are needed to preserve Cuba’s social model “amid the severe economic, financial and trade sanctions.”

The Cuban economy, which historically relied on tourism as a major source of hard currency, was severely disrupted by the COVID pandemic and remains well below 2018 levels.

As Cuba’s economy has deteriorated, the country’s social indicators – such as universal healthcare, universal education and extensive social safety nets such as subsidized healthcare and food rations – are under pressure.

“All this happens in the context of US embargo against Cuba” said Mr. Pichon, noting that Cuba has also been re-listed by the United States as a state sponsor of terrorism.

“From the perspective of the UN our guiding principles remain unchanged: be present. For support. Act on the basis of cooperation, with respect for international law and the values ​​of the UN.”

As UN Resident Coordinator, Mr. Pichon oversees the work of 23 UN agencies, funds and programs. Here you will find a snapshot of some of the ongoing work.

Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa tore through Cuba on October 29 as a Category 3 storm. For the first time in the country, anticipatory action was taken by releasing UN funds Central Emergency Aid Fund (CERF), allowing pre-positioning of supplies such as water purification units, food, hygiene kits, generators, medicines, medical facilities and shelter facilities.

The UN launched one $74 million plan of action to support the national recovery and help more than 2.2 million people affected by the storm’s devastation. To date, approximately $23 million has been mobilized, targeting the one million most vulnerable.

“No direct lives were lost as a result of the hurricane,” Mr. Pichon said, thanks to the solid capabilities of Cuba’s civil defense, although recovery needs remain enormous, including the reconstruction of tens of thousands of homes.

Collaboration framework

The UN’s long-term engagement in Cuba is underpinned by a cooperation framework aligned with the Cuban National Development Plan and the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. This framework has four important pillars:

• institutional: The UN supported the development of around 30 laws following the 2019 constitutional reform, promoting equality, inclusion and rights for women, children, LGBTQ+ people, people of African descent and persons with disabilities.
• Economic: Focuses on productive transformation and access to financing amid ongoing sanctions and the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism. Using the Joint SDG Fundthat helps countries pay for projects related to the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Environment: Disaster risk management and climate resilience are key, especially given Cuba’s exposure to hurricanes such as Melissa. UN support in anticipation and response is intended to protect lives and livelihoods.
• Social: Social protection systems and attention to differentiated needs with an emphasis on leaving no one behind, including vulnerable groups, vulnerable groups such as people with AIDS, the LGBTI community, children, adolescents, women and the elderly, which constitute a highly relevant sector in an aging society.