Following the extensive damage from Hurricane Melissa in several eastern Cuban provinces, authorities have outlined procedures for receiving and managing international donations. Experts from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment explain that an emergency procedure under Decree Law No. 16 applies. Cuba does not request aid but facilitates channels for spontaneous solidarity offered to its people.
Hurricane Melissa has inflicted extensive damage on several provinces in eastern Cuba, prompting an outpouring of international solidarity. In response to this emergency, competent authorities have provided details on procedures for receiving and managing donations from abroad.
Granma spoke with William Díaz Menéndez, director general of International Cooperation, and Zoe Hernández Portales, director of ProCuba, both executives from the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment (Mincex). They explained that the emergency procedure under Decree Law No. 16 applies, whereby approval of specific donation offers from international cooperation falls to the Head of Mincex.
All entities with legal personality in the country can manage and receive international donations. Resources come from multilateral, bilateral, governmental, private, and individual sources, including Cuban citizens residing abroad. Mincex handles this process through its International Aid Group, and all State bodies and entities must report any cooperation offers to the Ministry for evaluation, coordination, approval, and control.
For in-kind donations, importation follows an expedited procedure once approved by Mincex, though the designated importing company must complete the required procedures for each product type. For financial donations, accounts have been established in three Cuban banks:
- Banco Popular de Ahorro (BPA): DONATIONS account, No. 1299731002599738, SWIFT: BPAHCUHHXXX.
- Banco Financiero Internacional (BFI): DONATIVOS POR EMERGENCIA account, No. 0300000005336242, SWIFT: BFICCUHHXXX.
- Banco Internacional de Comercio (BICSA): DONATIONS-CUBA account, No. 0407610081870041, SWIFT: BIDCCUHHXXX.
There are no limitations on receiving donations, except for resources restricted by their characteristics. A preliminary list of needed resources has been sent to Cuban missions abroad to facilitate offers. Both officials reiterated that, as a matter of policy, Cuba does not request aid but appreciates and facilitates channels for spontaneous solidarity offered to the Cuban people in these difficult times.