By Thornical Press –

January 14, 2026

The Trump Administration is following through on its commitment to deliver $3 million in much‑needed disaster relief to the Cuban people affected by Hurricane Melissa. The United States remains steadfast in supporting Cuba’s post‑disaster recovery, emphasizing that this assistance is designed to reach those most in need, bypass regime interference, and ensure full transparency and accountability. This humanitarian effort reflects a broader, ongoing initiative to stand with the Cuban people as they work toward a more secure and hopeful future.

This support is expected to reach an estimated 6,000 families—approximately 24,000 individuals—across the hardest‑hit provinces of Santiago de Cuba, Holguín, Granma, and Guantánamo. These regions bore the brunt of Hurricane Melissa’s destructive force, leaving many households without reliable access to food, clean water, or essential supplies.

Two charter flights carrying humanitarian assistance will depart from Miami on January 14 and January 16, arriving in Holguín and Santiago de Cuba, respectively. Each flight will deliver more than 525 food kits and 650 hygiene and water‑treatment kits, providing immediate support to over 1,000 families. A commercial vessel scheduled to dock in Santiago de Cuba in the coming weeks will transport the remainder of the aid, ensuring that relief continues to flow as communities begin the long process of rebuilding.

The assistance package includes a range of critical items intended to meet basic needs and restore a measure of stability for affected families. Food kits will provide rice, beans, oil, and sugar to help households maintain essential nutrition during the recovery period. Hygiene and water‑treatment kits will supply water purification tablets and safe‑storage containers to ensure access to clean drinking water. Kitchen sets will offer pots, cooking utensils, and other tools to help families prepare meals safely and reliably. Additional household items—such as sheets, blankets, and solar lanterns—will help families stay warm, maintain lighting during outages, and manage daily life under difficult conditions.

To guarantee that assistance reaches Cuban families without obstruction, the United States is working closely with the Catholic Church, which has longstanding community networks across the island. This partnership is intended to ensure that relief is delivered directly to those in need, free from regime interference, and with full accountability at every stage.