Cuba – The United Nations expresses concern about the scarcity of fuel and its impact on the population

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric expressed concern about the growing fuel shortage in Cuba and its impact on the population.

He stated – in his daily press conference – that the effects of this include the interruption of supplies of clean water, medical care, food and other vital aid in parts of Cuba that were severely affected by Hurricane Melissa last October.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes concerns that fuel shortages will affect the operation of airports.

Last November, the United Nations team in Cuba launched an action plan to support the national response in the wake of Hurricane Melissa – which affected more than two million people – equivalent to one in every five people in the country.

Dujarric stressed the United Nations’ commitment to supporting the efforts led by the authorities and helping families recover.

The business plan, which aims to raise $74 million, is currently only 23% funded. Dujarric urgently called for more funding to ensure that aid reaches those in need.

On the fifth of this month, Dujarric expressed concern that the humanitarian situation in Cuba would deteriorate or “collapse” if its oil needs were not met.

This came after the United States threatened – according to reports – to impose tariffs on any country that provided oil to Cuba, which increased pressure on the island countries in light of decades of the American trade embargo imposed on them, in addition to the detention of Nicolas Maduro, the president of Venezuela, which was its main source of oil.