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The United Nations has put forward an emergency strategy for crisis-stricken Cuba, including measures to monitor fuel consumption, as discussions continue with the United States over permitting energy imports for humanitarian purposes, a UN official said on Wednesday.
Francisco Pichon, the UN coordinator in Cuba, explained that the $94.1 million proposal is intended to sustain essential services for the country’s most vulnerable citizens and “save lives.”
“If the current situation continues and the country’s fuel reserves are exhausted, we do fear a rapid deterioration, with the potential loss of life,” Pichon told reporters, including AFP.
“The feasibility and implementation of this action plan obviously depend on fuel solutions,” he said.
US President Donald Trump introduced what amounts to an oil blockade on Cuba in January, intensifying the country’s energy and economic difficulties as pressure mounts on its communist leadership.
The UN has been engaged in discussions with Washington to allow fuel imports for humanitarian needs.
Pichon noted that the proposed plan, alongside a “fuel traceability model”, is being presented “as instruments to try to reach an agreement, a pathway to gain access to fuel.”
He added that monitoring fuel distribution is essential “to ensure that it goes to the critical, essential services that are prioritised in the plan.”
“All solutions are being considered, including working with the non-state sector,” he said.
Washington slightly relaxed the embargo last month to permit oil sales to Cuba’s small private sector.
Pichon said the plan was introduced on Tuesday to dozens of diplomats and representatives from international NGOs. US diplomats were invited, though he was unsure whether they attended.
The UN initiative builds on its earlier response to Hurricane Melissa, which struck Cuba in October, and now incorporates the humanitarian consequences of the ongoing energy crisis.
UN personnel have largely been unable to conduct field operations, while agencies are struggling to retrieve aid shipments from Havana airports.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautioned last month that Cuba could face a humanitarian “collapse” if oil supplies are not secured.
Residents have endured frequent power cuts lasting over 20 hours, with two nationwide outages reported just last week.
President Miguel Diaz-Canel has introduced emergency measures to conserve fuel, including strict rationing.
