A second aircraft carrying humanitarian aid from the United States government touched down in Matanzas this Thursday. The shipment, consisting of 700 kits, is intended for vulnerable families in the Cuban province, where the Catholic Church will continue distributing essential food and supplies.
The flight landed at Juan Gualberto Gómez International Airport in Varadero, as reported by Caritas Cuba in a statement. This marks the second delivery received by the Matanzas Diocese under a U.S.-funded assistance program.
This new delivery will allow for the continued distribution of aid to families previously identified by Caritas, prioritizing those facing significant economic and social hardships.
Focus on Local Parish Communities
The aid distribution will target the area of the Nuestra Señora de la Caridad parish, covering Unión de Reyes, Bolondrón, Güira de Macurijes, and nearby rural communities.
Volunteers from the parish, led by Father Enrique Peñate Galán, will ensure the supplies reach selected households based on the donors' criteria.
Following Up on Initial Deliveries
This shipment arrives just eight days after the first consignment reached Matanzas on October 14, also at the Varadero airport.
The initial aid began serving 700 of the 2,100 families chosen within the Vicaría Nuestra Señora de la Caridad, spanning several localities in Unión de Reyes municipality.
Bishop Juan Gabriel Díaz Ruiz of Matanzas and María de los Ángeles Castelo Elías Calles, director of Caritas in the diocese, spearheaded the reception of the earlier batch.
Prioritizing Those in Need
The prioritized beneficiaries include seniors over 60, individuals with disabilities, chronic illness sufferers, pregnant or nursing women, and families with young children in dire situations.
Caritas explained that their parish teams and volunteers pre-select the homes to direct supplies to those in greatest need.
The first round of distributions took place in communities such as Alacranes and San Antonio de Cabezas, where volunteers delivered the packages directly to homes.
In its Thursday statement, Caritas Matanzas expressed gratitude for the initial delivery experiences and praised the volunteers' efforts in the process.
Documenting Stories of Hardship
The challenges faced by some families were evident in the testimonies gathered during these aid visits.
On October 17, Caritas documented aid delivery to rural Matanzas residents living in extreme poverty.
One such case involved José Agustín Farray Ponce, known as "Tito," who welcomed volunteers to his home in Cuatro Caminos, an area without electricity.
"I never imagined someone would remember me, that they'd come to see me this afternoon!" he exclaimed upon receiving the supplies.
In other households, deliveries reached bedridden individuals, elderly people, and families reliant on neighbors or relatives for daily needs.
U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Program
This shipment is part of a $100 million humanitarian aid initiative announced by the U.S. administration in May 2026. The program aims to distribute food, hygiene products, and other essentials to the Cuban population.
Of the total amount, $60 million is funneled through Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Caritas Cuba, and the Catholic Church network. The remaining $40 million is allocated to independent humanitarian organizations.
The U.S. State Department introduced the program as a means of providing direct assistance to Cuban citizens, bypassing the Havana government.
The Catholic Church clarified that the $60 million is not given in cash to Caritas Cuba. Instead, the funds are utilized to purchase supplies and cover logistics for transportation and distribution among families.
Products are procured and transported in coordination with CRS, while Caritas volunteers handle distribution within Cuba through diocesan and parish structures.
The program's inaugural national flight took place on July 21, when a cargo plane left Miami for Havana, carrying food and hygiene modules initially intended for 700 families.
This initial shipment marked the beginning of the new $100 million package distribution, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and was coordinated with Catholic organizations responsible for delivering products to recipients.
FAQs on U.S. Humanitarian Assistance to Cuba
What is the focus of the U.S. humanitarian aid to Cuba?
The U.S. aid focuses on providing essential food and hygiene supplies to vulnerable families in Cuba, particularly those facing economic and social hardships.
How is the aid distributed in Cuba?
The aid is distributed through the Catholic Church's network, with Caritas Cuba volunteers handling the delivery to pre-identified families in need.
How much aid does the U.S. humanitarian program provide?
The U.S. program provides a total of $100 million in aid, with $60 million managed by Catholic Relief Services and Caritas Cuba, and $40 million by independent humanitarian organizations.