Aid for the Caribbean

15/08/2026

https://www.thinkglobalhealth.org/article/cubas-health-care-buckles-under-fuel-blockade

A professor of Latin American public health details how the 2026 fuel blockade has affected every domain of Cuba's health system

30/07/2026

The container sent in April to the Cuban people affected by Hurricane Melissa has not arrived yet.

After having imposed a fuel blockade in January 2026, on 1 May 2026, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14404, expanding U.S. sanctions on Cuba and increasing risks for foreign firms dealing with targeted Cuban entities.

On 12 May 2026, the U.S. president added several tourism companies to the sanctions list. Sanctions were later extended to entities under the Ministry of Tourism, widening the scope of restrictions across Cuba’s hospitality sector.

On 5 June 2026, new measures forced companies to reassess ties with Cuba under higher legal and financial risk of US-imposed sanctions around the globe. This deadline marked a shift, accelerating corporate pullback as risk outweighed engagement.

As a consequence, major shipping companies like Hapag-Lloyd and CMA CGM suspended new Cuba bookings and stopped unloading containers in Cuban ports .

There are currently thousands of containers destined for Cuba with cargoes of humanitarian food supplies, medicines, and solar panels lying in Caribbean, Central and South America ports unable to be shipped.

That includes our container sent on April from Belfast with Hapag-Lloyd. It reached Mariel port on June 5th but it was not unloaded as Trump's measures came into force. It was then taken first to Colombia and is now lying in Colon port, Panama.

The human impact is significant:
For the Cuban people, the issue is not abstract politics but everyday survival: food, medicine, electricity, access to water, gas and transport.

We have an option of transferring the consignment in our container (with half a million British pounds in medical supplies) to another shipping company registered in Panama but meanwhile our storage costs are mounting.

That is why we are coming to you once more for support.

Please consider to donate to via the payment link below
https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QUXPP29B

or directly to our bank account:
- Account name:
Aid for the Caribbean
- Account number: 71287962
- Sort Code: 30-99-50
- Bank: Lloyds
- Reference: Container

Thank you for being a partner in alleviating the suffering of the Cuban people.

10/06/2026

Some sad news!

Yesterday, I received the information that the vessel departed from Mariel port without discharging the container we sent with humanitarian aid for victims of hurricane in .

The vessel carrying Hapag Lloyd containers had until 5pm on June 5th to unload the containers. After that time, they did not discharge any more - including ours- due to Trump's measures entering in place.

On May 1, the Trump administration enacted a sweeping executive order intended to tighten the U.S. trade embargo and squeeze the Cuban economy. The order targets non-U.S. companies and foreign banks that assist the Cuban government or operate across major sectors of the economy. It also exposes senior executives of non-compliant companies to asset freezes and travel restrictions.

That order is impacting our ability to bring humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba who are suffering days of blackouts, lack.of water and medicines as ever before.

Our container went back to Cartagena port until decisions are made by Hapag-Lloyd who has decided to stop working with Cuba for fear to US. sanctions.

We will update this news when we know more.

18/05/2026

Bringing food to vulnerable people and families in Alamar and Canasi.

From 360 meals to 20 food pack, this was a join effort between Aid for the Caribbean and Eagle Activity Tours. Our Trustee Lindsey Metcalfe just came back from Cuba after several weeks of intense work in the community.

Food was directly bought in Cuba through online platforms. And even when it can seem little for the amount of needs and hardships the Cuban people are facing these days, it brought hope, joy, love and emotional support to some of those that have less.

You can donate to this specific initiative by clicking in the donation link and using the Reference: 'Lindsey'

Next month, Lindsey will be back to Havana to continue with this initiative only possible through your monetary support that make possible to buy the food.

Donation Link
https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QC9DARLP

02/05/2026

With one container already on its way to Cuba, we’re delighted to share that preparations have begun for our fifth humanitarian aid container, planned for shipment in early summer.

Over the past four months, Cuba has faced an even more severe shortage of medical supplies, food, and other essential items due to the ongoing national fuel crisis. These shortages continue to affect families, hospitals, and community organisations across the island.
Each container may feel like a drop of water in an ocean of need, but every shipment brings hope, relief, and real support to communities.

Your support makes this possible. Shipping each container costs £5,600–£5,900, and your contributions help us deliver this much‑needed aid to the Cuban people.

Together, we can continue to bring comfort, dignity, and practical help to those who need it most.

Any amount counts!

DONATE through this link using as a Reference 'Container'
https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QC9DARLP

Or donate directly to our Bank Account
Account name: Aid for the Caribbean
Account number: 71287962
Sort Code: 30-99-50
Bank: Lloyds
Reference: Container

22/04/2026

Aid for the Caribbean has just closed another container filled with humanitarian aid for . It will depart from to port this month of April.

The container content - with a total value of £481 441, consist of medical supplies and 2 tons of clothing. It will be received by Proyecto Sociocultural Cabildo Quisicuaba who will deliver it to the province of Holguin, one of the Cuban provinces heavily impacted by the hurricane Melissa.

Aid for the Caribbean thanks all donnors who made possible to pay for the container shipping, specially those in Northen Ireland as well as UNITE and UNISON branches in Birmingham. We are also very grateful to the charity The DropInn Ministries who donated the 2 tons of clothing.

Special acknowledgement for Alan Beare, without him this effort would have not been possible. From organising donations, to logistics and fundraising, every container sent from carries Alan's heart in it.

For 🇨🇺 with

14/04/2026

07/04/2026

29/03/2026

https://youtu.be/2nZv-zuPyIY?si=h8GA-uIhgJqm9Bg5

Cuba's healthcare system was once a paragon, held up as an example of what was possible in the developing world. But all that has changed. Harsh US sanctions...

29/03/2026

Cuban health care was once the pride of the island. Now the U.S. oil blockade is upending even basic medical care.