Canada announces C$8 million in immediate food and nutrition aid for Cuba via UN agencies amid fuel shortages and widespread blackouts
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابCanada announced an accelerated C$8 million package to be released immediately to scale up food and nutrition support for vulnerable people in Cuba, channelled through United Nations partners to ensure assistance reaches communities directly, as the island faces severe fuel shortages, prolonged blackouts, and growing barriers to accessing food and health care.
Global Affairs Canada said the funding will be delivered through trusted partnerships with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as part of an international assistance program aimed at strengthening local food security and nutrition.
The department said conditions in Cuba have deteriorated rapidly due to fuel shortages and sustained power outages, compounded by challenges from last year, including Hurricane Melissa, which increased the vulnerability of millions of people.
CityNews, citing The Canadian Press, reported that Ottawa is routing the funding through UN agencies rather than the Cuban government, as scrutiny grows over the humanitarian impact of constrained fuel supplies and the broader energy crisis.
Canada said it will continue monitoring developments and working with partners to assess evolving needs. It also noted that in fiscal year 2024-2025, it provided C$8.3 million in development assistance to Cuba, supporting areas including food security and nutrition, renewable energy solutions, women’s economic empowerment, and efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
