U.S. and Catholic Relief Services send first humanitarian flight to Cuba

The United States and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) on Tuesday sent the first humanitarian relief flight to Cuba under a new $100 million assistance commitment announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Senior Official for Foreign Assistance, Humanitarian Affairs, and Religious Freedom Jeremy Lewin and Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Senior Advisor Viviana Bovo joined CRS representatives in Miami on July 21 for the departure of the flight carrying humanitarian supplies for Cuban families.

The shipment includes pre-packaged food and hygiene kits intended to support up to 700 families on the island. The supplies will be distributed by CRS in partnership with the Catholic Church and Caritas Cuba.

The initiative builds on a previous U.S. humanitarian program with CRS and Caritas Cuba that provided $9 million in direct assistance following Hurricane Melissa.

U.S. officials said the latest effort is designed to ensure aid reaches people in need through direct delivery by local parish representatives, rather than government channels.

“This partnership builds upon the success of the Department’s program last year with CRS and Caritas Cuba,” the U.S. State Department said in a statement, adding that local distribution networks would help ensure humanitarian assistance reaches Cuban communities.

The aid comes as the United States continues to provide humanitarian support to vulnerable Cubans amid ongoing economic challenges on the island.

CRS, a humanitarian organization affiliated with the Catholic Church, has worked with local partners around the world to provide emergency assistance, food security support and other humanitarian services.

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