Hurricane Ian devastated Cuba, causing blackouts and damage across the island. Now, after years of tensions, the United States is offering to help the communist nation with some hurricane relief worth $2 million in provisions and supplies.

According to the Associated Press, this is an "unusual but not unprecedented move after years of bilateral tensions."

The humanitarian aid for Cuba will be delivered via independent non-governmental organizations with experience with Cuba and are already working on the island directly with the people affected by the storm.

A senior Biden administration official who asked to remain anonymous has spoken with the Associated Press and said, "We are responding to a disaster by working with our international humanitarian assistance partners to deliver critical assistance directly to those most in need." 

She also added that they stand with the people of Cuba and that the U.S. "will continue to seek ways to improve their political and economical well-being."

U.S. Hurricane Relief a Response After Cuba Made Rare Plea For Help

After Hurricane Ian devastated the country last month, Cuba asked its estranged neighbor for help. This aid for the country is a response to that, according to NBC News.

The aid has not gone unnoticed, as Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez thanked the United States for their help. 

"We appreciate humanitarian assistance offer made by the U.S.," he said.

The Cuban official also stated that the aid will be "channeled through the International Federation of Red Cross." This will add to their recovery efforts, as well as their support for victims ravaged by Hurricane Ian.

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The Guardian noted that Cuba had previously turned down humanitarian aid offers from the United States after a bad hurricane. The communist country used to rely on Russia for such things, but with the current situation with the war on Ukraine, Cuba had to turn to Washington for help.

Officials from the United States talked to Cuban officials after the storm to find out what they needed and how they could help. However, the aid will not go to the embattled Cuban government but directly to the people. The Biden administration official who talked to the Associated Press told them they learned that "the greatest needs are in shelter restoration and food."

Protests in Cuba as Blackouts Still Happening Weeks After Hurricane Ian Hit

Before Ian even hit the island, Cuba was already facing a worsening energy crisis. This was made worse after a huge oil depot fire in August and then made even worse by Hurricane Ian, which caused extensive damage to the country's power grid.

Large swathes of Cuba are now facing blackouts which have fueled discontent among the populace, especially in the rural areas. It is reported that the blackouts are the worst in those rural areas, and these have sparked protests which have been described as the biggest in the country since 2021.

Cuban authorities have made plenty of arrests, with international observers pointing out that the country often violated human rights in their detention of protesters.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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