health

April 30, 2026

Cuba is running out of time. We need fuel now to save lives

With the US blockade cutting off oil, the island’s healthcare has been wrecked, access to clean water lost and babies put at risk

Cuba is running out of time. We need fuel now to save lives

TL;DR

  • Cuba's energy crisis is causing daily life disruptions, including power outages that affect streetlights, hospital operations, and small businesses.
  • The crisis poses serious health risks, with tens of thousands of surgeries postponed, irregular prenatal care, and incubators/ventilators at risk during power failures.
  • Patients dependent on electricity for dialysis, cancer treatment, or chronic illnesses face life-threatening situations.
  • Cuba's economic fragility, exacerbated by external constraints and limited domestic resources, contributes to the energy shock.
  • Essential hospital functions like water pumping, food services, and ambulance fuel are compromised by energy faltering.
  • Humanitarian needs in Cuba are acute, and limited fuel deliveries provide only temporary relief, failing to address structural constraints.
  • The UN system in Cuba is expanding its Hurricane Melissa response to address the humanitarian impacts of the energy crisis, aiming to save lives and prevent deterioration of critical indicators.
  • The effectiveness of humanitarian aid, including efforts mobilized before the energy crisis intensified, depends on sufficient fuel for distribution.
  • The current UN plan is designed to run through the end of the year, prioritizing critical, life-saving interventions.
  • The issue is framed as a human one, emphasizing the right to dignity, healthcare, water, and essential services.

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