Santiago de Cuba to provide food packages to 101,000 vulnerable residents

Officials in Santiago de Cuba have announced a targeted food distribution program for 101,359 individuals, representing more than 10% of the province's population, who have been classified as vulnerable.

Edelva Marín Medina, Coordinator of Programs and Objectives at the Provincial Government of Popular Power, stated the initiative is a policy designed to target resources specifically to individuals rather than providing universal subsidies. The distribution will be managed through 154 designated warehouses across eight municipalities, including Palma Soriano, Contramaestre, and San Luis.

The food package, available through January, includes five pounds of rice, one pound of peas, and one pound of sugar. A single kilogram of black beans may also be provided based on availability, which will be recorded in the Ration Book.

This program aligns with a new focused social protection model approved by the National Assembly in June. This model replaces universal subsidies with targeted assistance for those identified by multidisciplinary community council groups. Nationally, Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz recently noted that over 883,000 vulnerable people are slated to receive monthly allocations.