In Controversial Decision, Biden-Harris Administration Directs (Indirectly) US$2 Million In U.S. Taxpayer Funds To Cuba For Hurricane Ian Support. Some Members Of Congress Irate.
/United States Department of State
Washington DC
18 October 2022
U.S. Support for Hurricane Ian Recovery Efforts in Cuba
Ned Price, Department Spokesperson
”Following the devastating impact of Hurricane Ian, the United States is providing to the Cuban people critical humanitarian aid to trusted international partners working directly with Cubans whose communities were devastated by the storm. The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, will provide $2 million in funding for emergency relief to those in need in Cuba. The United States will work with trusted, independent organizations operating in the country who have a long presence in hurricane-affected communities. We are currently reviewing applications from organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to provide this assistance. We stand with the Cuban people as they work to recover from this disaster. The United States will continue to monitor and assess humanitarian needs in coordination with our trusted partners and the international community, and we will continue to seek ways to provide meaningful support to the Cuban people, consistent with U.S. laws and regulations.”
Bruno Rodriguez, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, using Twitter: "We appreciate humanitarian assistance offer made by the US. This material contribution that is worth 2 million USD, channelled through the International Federation of Red Cross, will add up to our recovery efforts in support of the victims of the ravages caused by #HurricaneIan."
Chairs Meeks, Lee, McGovern Issue Statement Regarding the Biden Administration Providing Humanitarian Assistance to Cuba
Washington, D.C. (18 October 2022) – Today, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chair Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), together with Chairwoman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations Barbara Lee (D-CA) and Chair of the Rules Committee James P. McGovern (D-MA), issued the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s decision to provide humanitarian assistance to Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian: “We applaud the Biden Administration’s sound decision to provide $2 million in humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Providing U.S. assistance through international organizations to support vulnerable Cubans is both the right policy response and represents an important change from the previous Administration’s counterproductive actions. “We remain deeply concerned about the dire situation on the island, including ongoing power shortages and the lack of basic necessities for the Cuban people. The United States is the world’s leader in providing life-saving assistance to other countries following natural disasters, and today’s announcement helps to demonstrate to citizens within our own hemisphere that the U.S. remains ready and willing to help those in need. “As the Chairs of the relevant foreign policy Committees and Subcommittees, we fully support the Administration’s decision to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba, and we stand ready to assist in its immediate delivery.”
United States Department of State
Washington DC
19 October 2022
Briefing
QUESTION: There was an announcement yesterday of $2 million in aid. Can you just say whether this is a one off, whether there’s any direct contact with Cuban authorities on this, whether you see this in any way leading to a broader process?
MR PATEL: Sure. So this is – this was a result of direct engagement with the Cuban Government, and of course other stakeholders as well. I don’t want to get ahead of that process, but we stand with the Cuban people as they work through this and recover from this disaster. And we’ll continue to monitor and assess humanitarian needs in coordination with our trusted partners in the international community, and we’ll take additional steps if it deems necessary, but I don’t want to get ahead of – get ahead of that process.
QUESTION: You stand with the Cuban people, but you don’t stand with the Cuban Government; is that correct?
MR PATEL: Matt —
QUESTION: You stand with the Cuban people in trying to help – trying to help them recover from the hurricane damage, right, but —
MR PATEL: Of course.
QUESTION: — you specifically don’t stand with the Cuban Government and trying to help it restore the – restore normality after all of the damage that was caused by the hurricane. Is that —
MR PATEL: Well, the —
QUESTION: Is that a fair characterization?
MR PATEL: It’s – through this aid, we intend to work with trusted, independent organizations operating in the country who have a long presence working in hurricane-affected areas. And we’re currently reviewing applications for organizations, such as the International Federation of Red Cross and the IFRC, to provide assistance as well.
QUESTION: Right. But I mean the – but the point is, is the Cuban Government has asked for aid. You’re not giving money – and this is rather a small amount of money, $2 million; it’s not nothing, but it’s a small amount of money. And it’s going to the Red Cross, not going to the Cuban Government. And I’m not suggesting that it should be going to the Cuban Government, but I want to make sure that I understand that when you say that you stand with the Cuban people, you specifically mean that you’re not going to stand with the Cuban Government.
MR PATEL: We have directed this aid through this mechanism because we believe it is the best vehicle for delivery and the best vehicle for having direct impact on helping the Cuban people rebuild from this disaster.
QUESTION: Okay. Because you know that the Cubans, although they have thanked you for this small contribution, have also said in preparation for their annual vote at the General Assembly on condemning the embargo that they have lost $3.8 billion – minimum – because of the embargo. And so when you say that you’re standing with the Cuban people to help them recover from the hurricane, I just want to make sure that your – position of the U.S. Government is still the same, that you’re not standing with the Cuban Government to help it help the Cuban —
MR PATEL: That is —
QUESTION: — its people.
MR PATEL: That is correct. I am not intending to change U.S. policy.
