Six months after Hurricane Melissa devastated large parts of Cuba, the Cuban Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) continue large-scale recovery efforts across the island. Supported by nearly 39,000 active volunteers, humanitarian teams are working under difficult conditions caused by fuel shortages, prolonged power outages and disruptions to essential services.
In April 2026, Cuban Red Cross volunteers distributed mosquito nets, cleaning supplies and other emergency items in Matanzas province to help communities affected by increasing cases of chikungunya and dengue. The operation, funded through the IFRC’s Disaster Response Emergency Fund, aims to support 650 families impacted by the growing arbovirus epidemic in western Cuba. Health concerns remain severe, with dozens of deaths linked to dengue and chikungunya reported across the country.
Communities affected by Hurricane Melissa continue to struggle with poor sanitation, damaged homes and growing mosquito infestations. Local residents described worsening living conditions and rising health problems, including mobility issues and loss of taste and smell associated with infections spreading after the disaster.
Humanitarian distributions have also continued in eastern Cuba, especially in Granma province, one of the areas hardest hit by the hurricane in October 2025. The IFRC launched an emergency appeal shortly after the storm to support 100,000 people over a two-year recovery period. Since then, thousands of people have received relief items including blankets, hygiene kits, cooking supplies, solar lamps, tarpaulins and tools for rebuilding homes.
The recovery response has faced major operational challenges because of Cuba’s energy crisis. Power shortages and limited fuel supplies have disrupted transportation, healthcare, sanitation services and water pumping systems. To keep humanitarian operations running, the Cuban Red Cross and IFRC have introduced a reinforced strategy focused on renewable energy and sustainable logistics.
The strategy includes the installation of decentralized photovoltaic systems and battery charging stations to ensure uninterrupted electricity for humanitarian services during blackouts. The IFRC has also delivered electric vehicles and motorcycles to improve mobility and strengthen field operations across affected regions.
Water access remains a major priority in the response. Cuban Red Cross volunteers continue operating water treatment systems installed after the hurricane, supplying millions of litres of drinking water each week to tens of thousands of people. These systems are helping communities maintain basic hygiene and reduce health risks during the recovery process.
In addition to emergency aid, the response includes psychosocial support services for disaster-affected families. More than 2,600 people have received mental health support to cope with trauma, grief and anxiety caused by displacement and loss after Hurricane Melissa.
The Cuban Red Cross and IFRC are also producing hundreds of roof repair kits to support families rebuilding homes damaged by the storm. Humanitarian teams say the current priority is maintaining recovery progress while preparing for another hurricane season under continuing economic and energy pressures.
Officials from the IFRC highlighted that the operation is one of the most logistically complex humanitarian responses carried out in Cuba in recent years. Despite the challenges, cooperation between local volunteers, public institutions and humanitarian partners continues to ensure aid reaches vulnerable communities across the country.
