# U.S. humanitarian aid efforts in Cuba

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-humanitarian-aid-efforts-in-cuba
> Updated: 2026-09-09T20:45:27.000Z. Sources: 14. Developments: 3.

The United States has initiated a $100 million humanitarian aid package for the Cuban people, designed to bypass the Cuban government and military-run conglomerates. The distribution strategy allocates $60 million through the Catholic Church via Cáritas Cuba and $40 million to independent non-governmental organizations.

Implementation has moved into the delivery phase, with an initial shipment of 700 modules containing food and hygiene products arriving at the Abel Santamaría airport in the Diocese of Santa Clara. This effort is supported by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), which has collaborated with Cáritas Cuba for over 30 years. Bishop Arturo González Amador stated the aid is intended for the most vulnerable families in areas such as Quemado de Güines and Rancho Veloz, emphasizing that the assistance addresses urgent needs rather than serving as a permanent social assistance project.

Mike Hammer, head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Cuba, has conducted field visits to provinces such as Artemisa to verify the delivery of essential supplies, including food, hygiene products, and solar lamps. 

As U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Hammer coordinate the implementation, Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Carlos Fernández de Cossío has accused Washington of using the situation to conduct a media campaign. The Cuban official alleged that the U.S. is funding propaganda to justify potential military aggression and to normalize the idea of an intervention, specifically noting U.S. military movements in Puerto Rico.

## Claims

- Mike Hammer met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss the situation in Cuba. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The United States is working to deliver $100 million in humanitarian aid to the Cuban people. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- Humanitarian aid will be distributed through Caritas and other independent organizations to avoid government control. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- The United States is financing a media campaign to justify military aggression against Cuba. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The U.S. media campaign uses 'contracted liars' to claim Cuba is a threat to the United States. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: U.S. humanitarian aid arrives in Santa Clara, Cuba

U.S. humanitarian aid has arrived in Santa Clara, Cuba, as part of a $100 million package. Caritas Cuba will manage $60 million of the funds to distribute food and hygiene modules to vulnerable families.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-humanitarian-aid-arrives-in-santa-clara-cuba

### 2026-08-31: U.S. officials discuss $100 million humanitarian aid for Cuba

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and diplomat Mike Hammer discussed delivering $100 million in humanitarian aid to Cuba via independent groups, amid Cuban accusations of a U.S. media campaign for military's.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cuba-denounces-us-media-campaign-regarding-military-aggression

### 2026-08-17: Mike Hammer verifies U.S. humanitarian aid distribution in Cuba

U.S. mission chief Mike Hammer visited Alquízar to verify the distribution of $100 million in humanitarian aid to Cuban families and met with the Bahamian ambassador to discuss regional interests.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mike-hammer-verifies-us-humanitarian-aid-distribution-in-cuba

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Cite as: U.S. humanitarian aid efforts in Cuba. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-humanitarian-aid-efforts-in-cuba