Just Under Four Tons of Humanitarian-aid For The Jewish Communities in Cuba

As per Chabad Friends of Cuban Jewry (CFCJ) ongoing mandate – aside the year round educational activities – to provide humanitarian aid throughout the year throughout the island of Cuba. With home to home visits providing basic food supplies, medical support, basic cosmetics and more.

Over the last while the situation in Cuba has degraded quite dramatically. With an additional shortage of all basic food items among many other insufficiencies with dire consequences.

Through the philanthropic generosity via the office of Merkoz suite 302, by Rabbi Mendy Kotlarsky (director – suite 302), CFCJ was granted an important grant to facilitate a considerable humanitarian-aid distribution.  In order to maximize the full potential of this particular campaign, an extensive broad bracketed supply list was compiled, and the logistics was arranged, to have it shipped and distributed in the most efficient manner.

As every family was provided with shelf stable food items, such as oil, spaghetti, rice, flour, milk, canned beans, crackers and other important staple foods. With additional basic supplies, like candles, Advil, band-aids, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush etc. were also sent to help support with basic hygiene.

Once all the supplies were amassed, between three and four tons, it was delivered to a freight company which then – based on current shipping situations/ limitations – through new challenges managed to get the supplies to Cuba.  Upon arrival a group of CFCJ young emissaries were sent to the island to organize and oversee distribution.

As per the retrieval the supplies were brought to CFCJ local location, and the emissaries then divided it up to be delivered to families in Havana, and a other groups delivered the aid to the outlying cities and towns across the island, crossing 1100KM!

“The effort was tremendous, and the cost was enormous; particularly due to the additional reforms in, and all associated with, the island in the present state/situation, including the widespread shortage of gasoline throughout the island , (indeed as well created the hurdle to get supplies delivered). Yet with the help and blessing of the Almighty, with the important additional efforts, relief this brought to the communities across the island, outweighed all the challenges!” noted Rabbi Shimon Aisenbach – director – CFCJ