By Oyintari Ben
After years of bilateral hostility, the United States said on Tuesday that it has provided crucial emergency humanitarian aid to the Cuban people in order to help them recover from the destruction inflicted by Hurricane Ian.
According to a senior administration official who asked to remain anonymous due to government policies, the assistance includes $2 million in provisions and supplies that will be distributed by independent non-governmental organizations that have experience and are already working on the island directly with the affected populations.
Before the official declaration, she spoke with news agencies and said, “We are responding to a tragedy by working with our international humanitarian assistance partners to send crucial help directly to those most in need.” “We support the Cuban people and will keep looking for methods to enhance their political and economic stability.”
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will work with “trusted international partners” like the Red Cross to deliver the emergency help.
The announcement follows the late-September arrival of Ian, which severely damaged the island’s electricity grid in its western region. The hurricane caused widespread blackouts across much of Cuba, causing unrest on the Caribbean island, particularly in rural areas where the blackouts are greatest.
Although there has been tension between the two nations for a long time, after the announcement, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodrguez thanked the Biden administration for the offer and stated that it will be made through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
On his Twitter page, Rodriguez stated that the assistance will help individuals who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian and the recovery process.
