"Closing my eyes and opening them in those neighborhoods felt like I was in Africa." With these words, Mike Hammer, the chargé d'affaires of the U.S. embassy in Cuba, delivered one of the most severe comparisons heard in recent months regarding the crisis on the Island. He stated that the poverty he witnessed in Cuban communities affected by Hurricane Melissa reminded him of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, known as one of the poorest countries in the world.
Hammer made these statements during an interview with journalist and host Enrique Santos on the iHeartRadio program, where he shared his experiences after touring various Cuban provinces and speaking directly with residents.
He explained that he had just returned from a trip through the eastern part of the country, where he visited areas struck by the cyclone. It was there, he said, that he was struck by what he described as "extreme misery."
"The only difference was that these areas had electricity. But when I asked if the pressure cooker worked, they said yes... and then clarified they only have electricity for a few hours a day," he mentioned during the interview with Santos.
The diplomat stressed that what he observed wasn't solely a recent disaster caused by the hurricane but the outcome of years of neglect and deterioration. "This didn't happen overnight... people feel abandoned," he stated.
Humanitarian Aid Efforts through Cáritas
Hammer also noted that the Trump administration approved millions of dollars in humanitarian aid for Cuba, primarily aimed at those affected by Hurricane Melissa.
On Enrique Santos' program, he confirmed the approval of an initial $3 million, followed by an additional $6 million. These funds, he explained, are distributed through Cáritas Cuba and the Catholic Church to ensure they reach those most in need.
In a separate interview with Telemundo 51, Hammer provided details about the delivery process, mentioning that four flights with supplies had already been made, two to Holguín and two to Santiago de Cuba, with plans for a shipment by sea as well.
According to his account, the aid includes essential items like rice, beans, oil, rechargeable lamps, pressure cookers, and water purification systems.
Heartbreaking Scenes: Elderly Searching for Food in Trash
Beyond the numbers, Hammer emphasized the human impact of the crisis. He asserted that during his visits to Cuban neighborhoods, he witnessed scenes once unimaginable in the country: elderly people scavenging through trash, children begging for food, and a rise in crime driven by desperation.
"This is now seen daily. It's heartbreaking... it breaks your heart," he expressed.
He also recounted that several women cried while expressing gratitude for the humanitarian assistance sent from the United States.
However, Hammer's comparison to the Congo did not go unnoticed, especially coming from a diplomat claiming to have traveled across nearly the entire Island and heard firsthand the stories of families impacted by hunger, blackouts, and fear.
As Hammer himself mentioned on Enrique Santos' program, sometimes closing your eyes is enough to understand it.
Insight into Cuban Poverty and Humanitarian Efforts
What did Mike Hammer compare Cuban poverty to?
Mike Hammer compared the poverty he saw in Cuba to conditions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the poorest countries in the world.
How is humanitarian aid being distributed in Cuba?
Humanitarian aid, approved by the Trump administration, is being distributed through Cáritas Cuba and the Catholic Church to ensure it reaches those most in need.
What items are included in the aid sent to Cuba?
The aid includes essential items such as rice, beans, oil, rechargeable lamps, pressure cookers, and water purification systems.