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US Sends First Hurricane Aid to Cuba, Bypasses Government via Church

The United States has dispatched its first humanitarian aid shipment to Cuba following the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated the $3 million in aid will be delivered directly to the Cuban people through the Catholic Church, explicitly bypassing the government. The catastrophic hurricane caused severe flooding and infrastructure damage across Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti. India was among other nations that previously provided medical and humanitarian support to the affected region.

Key Points: US Sends First Humanitarian Aid to Cuba After Hurricane

  • First US humanitarian shipment to Cuba after hurricane
  • Aid bypasses government, delivered via Catholic Church
  • $3 million in emergency relief announced
  • Hurricane caused severe damage across Caribbean
2 min read

US sends first Humanitarian aid shipment to Cuba after Hurricane Melissa

US sends first humanitarian shipment to Cuba post-Hurricane Melissa, working with Catholic Church to deliver aid directly to people, bypassing government.

"We are working with the Catholic Church... to ensure aid reaches the Cuban people directly not the illegitimate regime. - Marco Rubio"

Washington DC, January 15

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday said that America has begun sending humanitarian assistance to Cuba to support people affected by Hurricane Melissa, asserting that the "aid will be delivered directly to the Cuban people" and "not to the illegitimate regime".

In a post on X, Rubio said that this marks the first humanitarian shipment sent by the US to Cuba following the hurricane. He emphasised that the effort is aimed at helping people in need as they continue to recover from Hurricane Melissa.

"The U.S. is sending the first humanitarian shipment to Cuba to help people in need as they continue to recover from Hurricane Melissa. We are working with the Catholic Church and partners to ensure aid reaches the Cuban people directly not the illegitimate regime. The Trump Administration stands with the Cuban people," Rubio wrote.

CBS News reported that the United States has announced $3 million in emergency relief aid for the island nation. The aid, which includes crucial supplies, is being distributed directly to the Cuban people through the Catholic Church, bypassing the Cuban government.

Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest Atlantic storms to hit the region in more than 150 years, left Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti struggling with severe flooding, landslides and infrastructure damage, as per CNN.

Earlier, India was also one of the nations to send humanitarian aid to Jamaica and Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.

Leaders and foreign ministries from both nations highlighted India's medical help, equipment and humanitarian supplies, describing the support as timely and deeply valued.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Proud to see India also stepped up to help. Our country has a long tradition of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) and providing aid during crises. This is the spirit we need globally.
R
Rohit P
While the aid is necessary, the US statement calling it an "illegitimate regime" is unnecessarily provocative. Humanitarian help should be unconditional, not a political tool. The people are suffering, let's just help them.
S
Sarah B
$3 million seems like a very small amount for a disaster of this scale, especially from the US. Hope more nations join in. The Catholic Church is a good channel to ensure it reaches the actual people in need.
V
Vikram M
The Caribbean region often gets hit hard. We need better global disaster response mechanisms. India's help is commendable. Our foreign policy of helping neighbours and friends in distress is something we should be proud of.
K
Karthik V
Direct delivery through the Church is a smart move to bypass potential corruption. The priority is getting food, medicine, and shelter to the people whose lives have been destroyed. Politics can wait.

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