Humanitarian pressure is increasing as Cuba continues to suffer energy shortages
Francisco Pichon cited increasing risks to health care, water services and food distribution as the country’s energy reserves continue to decline.
The top UN official in Cuba told a news conference in New York via video link from Havana that there were “concerns that the crisis could deepen”, with shortages creating “acute humanitarian risks” for vulnerable communities.
‘Multiple shocks’
The tension follows “several shocks,” including Hurricane Melissa in October, which affected more than 2.2 million people.
Cuban authorities have rolled out a one-month contingency plan to address the challenges posed by the fuel shortage; However, next steps are unclear, meaning the serious situation could pose “a real risk to human suffering,” the Resident Coordinator said.
Daily life in Cuba is becoming “fragile” as essential services are scaled back across the country – which relies on oil for more than 90 percent of its energy needs.
Medical anxiety
With five million people living with chronic diseases, Mr Pichón stressed that treatments are at risk due to the current energy crisis. For example, thousands of cancer patients who require continuous oncology care and services for more than 32,000 pregnant women.
In addition, nearly a million people – about 10 percent of the population – get their drinking water from tankers, while 84 percent of pumping equipment relies on electricity, he said.
Food security is also ‘deteriorating’, with disruptions affecting the entire supply chain. Social protections are weakening while school programs and elderly care centers struggle to extend services.
Real risks
“The risk to people’s lives is not rhetorical; those who suffer first and most are ordinary people, especially the most vulnerable.” Mr Pichón told reporters at the UN in New York on Wednesday.
In this climate, it has become increasingly difficult to reach people in need, as energy shortages cause transport problems and import processes are delayed.
“Our capabilities would be limited unless there is a humanitarian solution for oil and aid”
Diplomatic solution
Looking ahead, Mr. Pichón urged the international community to address this issue through a “diplomatic effort that can be continued with the United States.”
The threat to impose tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba has diminished following a Supreme Court ruling that made it illegal for the United States to use emergency economic law in this context.
After four Cuban nationals were killed by the Cuban Coast Guard on Wednesday on a US-registered speedboat following a firefight at sea, Pichón urged “restraint to avoid escalation.”
