EU humanitarian aid following the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar in Cuba

Subject: EU humanitarian aid following the devastation caused by Hurricane Oscar in Cuba

As it swept through eastern Cuba, Hurricane Oscar had a devastating impact on the country. It caused severe flooding, which resulted in major damage to infrastructure, blocked roads, total or partial blackouts, problems with the supply of drinking water, the loss of food in storage, limited telecommunication service and agricultural and housing damage.

Cuba is suffering the repercussions of Hurricane Oscar in the midst of a very complex social and political crisis, exacerbated by the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and the damaging impact that the US embargo has had on the island.

Given this situation, the EU should offer support to the Cuban people impacted by Hurricane Oscar by making greater commitments and sending more humanitarian aid. Other countries, such as Mexico, Colombia and Barbados, have already pledged to offer their support to the Cuban people.

As soon as the Cuban authorities specify their exact humanitarian needs:

Will the Commission offer humanitarian aid to the Cuban people?

Submitted: 30.10.2024

Answer given by Ms Lahbib on behalf of the European Commission

(4 February 2025)

The Commission has closely followed the impacts of recent hurricanes in Cuba, including Hurricane Oscar as of 20 October 2024 and Hurricane Rafael as of 11 November 2024, compounding an already dire situation in the country that was also hit by earthquakes on 10 November 2024.

The Commission deployed a humanitarian expert to the affected areas to assess the needs and responded immediately when the disasters stroke. In total, the Commission has allocated EUR 3.3 million in humanitarian assistance for the affected population in Cuba. These funds will contribute, inter alia, to the United Nations (UN) Action Plan for Hurricane Oscar Response in the sectors of food and health and will support the Cuban Red Cross in their emergency response in Eastern Cuba.

Furthermore, the EU has deployed a humanitarian airbridge to transport more than 100 tons of humanitarian supplies from UN partners, EU, and Spanish stocks in 5 flights from its Panama hub to Cuba, which have provided relief to people affected by Hurricane Oscar. This emergency response complements an allocation of EUR 500 000 awarded in June 2024 to respond to urgent health and medical needs in the country. The Commission also continues to support disaster preparedness efforts in Cuba.