The solidarity of Russia with Cuba was reaffirmed on Wednesday by His Excellency Ambassador Víctor Koronelli of the Eurasian nation. This occurred during the handover ceremony of 465 tonnes of sunflower oil procured by the World Food Programme (WFP) Cuba office using funds from Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations (EMERCOM), destined for prepositioned reserves in Havana.
«This demonstrates Cuba is not alone amidst the intensified commercial, economic, and financial blockade imposed by the United States,» Koronelli declared at the ceremony, attended by Cuban Deputy Ministers Víctor Artola Madrazo (Foreign Trade and Investment) and Aracelys Cardoso Hernández (Domestic Trade).
The Ambassador emphasised Russia’s «firm commitment to contribute to the food sovereignty of the Cuban people,» announcing that a second 187-tonne vegetable oil shipment has arrived in Cuba with identical purpose, while a third consignment will follow in July. Both were acquired by the United Nations institution through funding provided by Russia’s EMERCOM.
William Díaz Menéndez, Director-General of Cooperation at MINCEX, expressed profound gratitude from Cuba’s government and people for the Russian government’s solidarity in contributing through the World Food Programme to supply products for the Cuban population amid the country’s difficult economic context. He confirmed the donation will benefit population sectors affected by Hurricanes Oscar and Rafael that impacted Cuba last year.
Additionally, it will maintain MINCIN’s bimonthly assistance module for vulnerable individuals and pregnant women across five eastern provinces, while ensuring prepositioned food reserves by WFP in Cuba for immediate response during natural disasters and other emergencies.
Etienne Labande, WFP Representative in Havana, highlighted that for implementing projects in the Caribbean nation, the Russian government and EMERCOM contributed US$19 million of the US$57.9 million available during the 2021-2025 cooperation cycle. These funds are primarily allocated to improving food and nutritional security for the most vulnerable populations and addressing food emergencies in Cuba.
(Source: Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
