After the passage of Tropical Storm Elsa through the island of Cuba, the economic crisis, the measures taken by the Trump administration to deepen the Embargo/Blockade still maintained, and events of massive transmission of the new coronavirus in provinces such as Matanzas and Ciego de Ávila, the health situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been deteriorating considerably in the country, which is experiencing the most delicate moment since March 2020. In just 24 hours, the daily cases reported by the Cuban health authorities almost doubled, with an dramatic jump from 3,819 (07/08/2021) to 6,442 (07/09/2021) 3.
To this situation, aggravated by the shortage of supplies and medical care devices, is added the crisis in hospital units throughout the country due to the rise in infections from the new coronavirus. In this way, Cubans from inside and outside the island have mobilized, articulating networks and collective actions online and offline to support their compatriots. In social networks, the attention of the transnational community has been drawn to the delicate situation in the province of Matanzas, the current epicenter of the pandemic on the island, which has reported an 1,316 incidence rate of COVID-19.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuban medical institutions have received some international donations. The Cuban diplomatic authorities have spoken in their official channels to reiterate that Cuba does not reject solidarity and has the mechanisms to receive donations from abroad. In this regard, the Cuban Foreign Ministry website reiterated that any contribution from abroad can be made through the Banco Financiero Internacional. In 2019, some consular institutions also arranged ways for Cubans abroad to make donations to those affected by the tornado that hit the Cuban capital. At the time, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX) published a note on its website announcing the opening of these channels from the island’s consular section in Switzerland.
Cuba ha recibido donativos de insumos médicos de organizaciones y cubanos residentes en el exterior desde 20 países y otros 12 están en proceso de envío.
Nuestros consulados mantiene su vitalidad para tramitarlos. Agradecemos profundamente la solidaridad d nuestros compatriotas. pic.twitter.com/xeSnNk6H6S
— Bruno Rodríguez P (@BrunoRguezP) July 10, 2021
To contribute to the dissemination of solidarity with Cuba transnational citizen action, OnCuba offers a compilation of some donation collection centers in Cuba and abroad that you can go to if you are interested in making contributions.
Institutions and organizations that have published that they are processing donations in Cuba:
– Martin Luther King Memorial Center
No. 9609 Ave. 53 between 96 and 98, Marianao, Havana.
Tel: (53) 52728620 / (537) 2609731
– Clandestina Store
403 Villegas between Teniente Rey and Muralla. Old Havana
Tel: (537) 8600997 / (53) 56042662
– University of Havana
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science: Colina universitaria, Vedado (9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Faculty of Economics and Accounting: Lobby of the building of L y 21, Vedado (9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
– DB Studio
# 3419, 17 Street between 34 and 36, Playa, Havana
Tel: (537) 72055427
– B612 Community Project:
Tel: (53) 54663583
– Christian Center for Reflection and Dialogue (Matanzas)
1210 Céspedes between 25 and 26 Cárdenas, Matanzas
Tel: (53) 45 521710
– Grand Lodge of Cuba
# 508 Salvador Allende Avenue, Havana
Tel: (53) 7 8785065
– José de la Luz y Caballero Havana Lodge
– Cuban Network of Studies on Care:
Tel: (53) 53200483
– #SOSMatanzas Groups on WhatsApp:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Gj16GBMkSr9IAHVsluanNt
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KIt2NZUVto4InmAEoQGBcN
https://chat.whatsapp.com/EgAbyXSkYKtC253g9s5CTl
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KNIR9QxGVAcDpT93kFal8K
– #SOSMatanzas Group on Telegram:
– Telegram group of bicycling women, to transport donations:
– WhatsApp group that collects and distributes donations within Cárdenas:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/DVR2TsYyQCwDFb6pXy8f6y
Outside of Cuba:
– Cubaminrex (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba)
Banco Financiero Internacional acount: 0300000005336242
* Use the title “Donations for emergencies”
– Mexican Movement of Solidarity with Cuba
Title holder: Olivia Garza
Debit card: 4152 3137 7989 8704
Account: 1547770070
Interbank code: 012180015477700700
Send proof to: porelmillon.solidario@gmail.com
– Shipping by DHL from Mexico to Cuba
– Campaign to send medical supplies to Cuba:
https://ghpartners.org/syringes4cuba/…
In different countries, there are groups of Cubans who have organized and sent shipments of medicines and other medical supplies through parcel agencies or with people who have traveled to Cuba for this.