The Cuba Coopération France association (CubaCoop) reported today that its solidarity campaign “to support vulnerable sectors of the Island” reached 63,000 euros and confirmed the shipment of a first container with powdered milk, said the Prensa Latina agency.
In a statement from the organization, with almost 30 years of economic and social cooperation with Cuba, its members specified that the immediate objective is to reach the 76,000 euros collected, for the sake of send a second load with milk powderintended for Cuban children and the elderly, given the Government’s inability to supply this food.
CubaCoop launched the initiative in March, with the invitation to participate in it to citizens, local authorities, public and private companies, foundations, unions, political forces and solidarity associations in France.
According to the association, its modest campaign to contribute to the feeding of children, women and the elderly will see the first result in May, when A container with 10 tons of powdered milk will be sent, which will arrive in Cuba in mid-June.
In February of this year, The Government of Cuba requested help for the first time through an official communication to the leadership of the World Food Program (PMA) due to the inability to deliver milk to children under seven years of age.
As a result of that letter, the WFP indicated that it managed to deliver “144 metric tons of skimmed milk powder” that benefited “almost 48,000 girls and boys between seven months and three years old in Pinar del Río and Havana.” This represents only 6% of the minors to whom the Government provides subsidized milk.
Faced with questions about the Government and its narrative, the official journalist Arleen Rodríguez Derivet blamed capitalism of depriving Cubans of the right to drink milk, the same capitalism from which the regime so likes to receive donations. The Government spokesperson had to assume the mission of doing damage control on the issue of the aid requested by Havana from the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to guarantee milk to children under seven years of age, after an article that pursued the same objective raised more questions.
The current milk crisis in Cuba exceeds that of the “Special Period” and it is the result of failed agricultural policies that the World Food Program (WFP) is not going to solve, considered economist Pedro Monreal, who asked for “a little analytical rigor” about the situation from official propaganda.
Chronic economic difficulties in Cubaa product of the regime’s failed policieshave degenerated three years ago into a serious crisis, exacerbated by the pandemic, the tightening of US sanctions and by more erroneous decisions in national macroeconomic, commercial and monetary policy.
The situation is especially evident in the shortage of basic products (food, fuel and medicine). In recent months, several of the products that are still included in the ration book, such as rice, coffee or oil, have been delivered irregularly or in reduced quantities. Recently, the Cuban Government acknowledged not being able to ensure the supply of bread from the quota in February and March due to problems with the supply of flour.
