The Ministry of Foreign Trade also recognises the help of the Archdiocese of Miami.
EFE/14ymedio, Havana, 4 November 2025 — On Monday, the Cuban government described as “positive” the cooperation linked to the humanitarian work of the Catholic Church on the island, after receiving its offer to coordinate the distribution of a donation of three million US dollars for the victims of Hurricane Melissa.
A note from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment published in the official press states that this offer of material assistance from the Washington government through the US Catholic service “is in addition to that of other religious organisations in that country”.
“There is also, separately but with the same purpose, an offer that would be made by the Archdiocese of Miami through the Catholic Church of Cuba,” the text states.
“We have had a positive experience of years of cooperation linked to the humanitarian work of the Catholic Church in Cuba, which has been successfully implemented in full coordination with our authorities and in accordance with the requirements set out in the assessment of damage and most urgent needs,” it emphasises.
“We have had a positive experience of years of cooperation linked to the humanitarian work of the Catholic Church in Cuba, which has been successfully implemented in full coordination with our authorities.”
The text expresses gratitude for “these humanitarian gestures” and highlights that “as with aid from various parts of the world, including other religious organisations in the US itself”, the “authorities” – emphasised in bold – “are working to channel the aid as quickly and efficiently as possible, so that it reaches the populations and territories in need without delay”.
The government seems to want to emphasise the idea that it will not stand aside from the humanitarian aid received by the country, not even whatever comes from the neighbouring country, even if it is non-governmental.
Aid from the US had once again become a political battleground between the two countries in recent days. Last week, the US stated that it was willing to support the Cuban people on condition that the regime remained on the sidelines, and the island’s authorities said they were willing to listen to the offer, as long as it respected their “sovereignty”.
The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba (Cocc) was the first to offer itself informally as a means of facilitating an agreement, and on Sunday it officially announced that it had received “a humanitarian offer from the US Administration, channelled through Catholic Church institutions in that country, to provide direct assistance to those affected”.
The bishops assured that they were “holding useful and positive discussions with all parties” so that this assistance could become a “reality”.
In addition to these shipments, there are those that have arrived – or are about to arrive – from the International Red Cross, Venezuela, Colombia and the European Union. The most recent announcement comes from India, which has sent 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid and assistance materials to Jamaica and Cuba, including food, medicines, electric generators, shelter materials and hygiene kits.
“India stands with our partners in the Global South in the face of such natural disasters and will assist our friends in recovery and reconstruction,” said Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs, highlighting New Delhi’s commitment to South-South cooperation and solidarity among developing countries. The assessment made on Monday by the Presidency puts the number of evacuees at 120,000 following the passage of Melissa and as a result of the flooding associated with the storm.
In addition, a total of 45,282 homes were damaged, and the subsidies promised by the government only cover 50% of the materials needed to repair them.
In addition, a total of 45,282 homes were damaged, and the subsidies promised by the government only cover 50% of the materials needed to repair them. Given that many residents were still waiting for subsidies or resources to do the same after Hurricane Sandy in 2012, there isn’t much trust around.
The governor of Granma Province, Yanetsy Terry, indicated that the waters of the Cauto River are already receding, which is a partial relief after days of rescues due to the overflowing of the riverbeds.
A total of 1,552 schools have been damaged, of which 200 have already been repaired. This, coupled with the fact that many schools are being used as shelters, will mean that the return to normality will be “asymmetrical, depending on conditions and alternatives,” said Education Minister Naima Ariatne Trujillo.
As for other infrastructure, 461 facilities were reported affected in the health sector, including hospitals, polyclinics, clinics, pharmacies, and others.
In agriculture, meanwhile, preliminary damage has been recorded on 78,700 hectares, more than half of which is banana crops.
Translated by GH
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