U.S. Offers New Direct Humanitarian Aid to Cuban Government;
Humanitarian Organizations Set to Move U.S. Aid to Cuba
The U.S. Government has made a fourth offer of critical humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. In response to Cuba's humanitarian needs USAID is moving forward to provide up to $5 million in emergency relief to Cuban hurricane victims through international relief agencies and non-governmental organizations.
In summary, the U.S. government has officially offered assistance to Cuba on four separate occasions:
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September 3, 2008: | The U.S. government issued a disaster declaration (on Hurricane Gustav) and provided $100,000 in cash relief assistance to humanitarian organizations on the ground.
The U.S. government also offered to provide a humanitarian assessment team to assist in producing rapid emergency assessments of health, sanitation, water, shelter and food.
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September 12, 2008: | The U.S. government provided an additional $100,000 (on Hurricane Ike) in cash assistance to relief organizations on the ground, and affirmed our intention to channel assistance through international organizations. The U.S. government reiterated its offer to provide a humanitarian assessment team.
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September 13, 2008: | The U.S. government announced up to $5 million in a relief package that included an unconditional offer of humanitarian assistance to benefit 135,000 Cuban hurricane victims. Despite the Cuban Government's rejection of this offer, international relief agencies and non-governmental organizations will receive U.S. government funding for emergency relief assistance.
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September 19, 2008: | The U.S. government offered to unconditionally provide additional relief
supplies directly to Cuba relief services at a value of approximately $6.3
million. These supplies are composed of family emergency shelters and
household kits which will assist up to 48,000 Cubans affected by the
hurricanes.
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The U.S. government will continue to monitor the situation in Cuba. For more information about USAID and its programs go to www.usaid.gov .
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