The United States will provide $2 million in emergency funding through the U.S. Agency for International Development to Cuba after the devastation of Hurricane Ian.
State Department spokesman Ned Price said USAID will funnel the funding through organizations responding with aid in disaster relief, such as the Red Cross, and not directly to the Cuban government, according to a news release issued Oct. 18.
“We are currently reviewing applications from organizations such as the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to provide this assistance,” Price said in the release. “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.”
The aid comes after a rare request made by Cuba's government last month, according to Yahoo!News. In 2008, then-President George W. Bush offered Cuba up to $5 million in aid after the country was hit by two powerful hurricanes. Cuba's leader at the time, Fidel Castro, rejected the offer. The Bush administration provided $1.6 million to non-governmental organizations in Cuba following Hurricane Gustav in 2008.
“The United States will work with trusted, independent organizations operating in the country who have a long presence in hurricane-affected communities,” Price said, according to the release
Hurricane Ian hit the Western part of Cuba, causing extensive damage to the country's power grid and resulting in a blackout across the entire island, Yahoo!News reports. Around 63,000 homes were damaged and up to 7,000 were completely lost, causing thousands to be driven from their homes. The wreckage resulted in the deaths of three people.
