August 10, 2022, Oakland, CA—MEDICC calls on the Biden administration to provide “concrete aid” to Cuba to recover from the devastating oil deposit blaze threatening the island. MEDICC Executive Director Dr. C. William Keck notes the fire now is complicated by “grave environmental and public health threats”. Firefighters have battled the blaze since August 5th, when a lightning bolt ignited one of eight fuel tanks supplying a thermoelectric plant in Matanzas province. Mexico and Venezuela immediately sent specialized firefighters, equipment and tons of foam, but “the US government has been shockingly absent” noted Dr. Keck. In response to Cuba’s call for urgent international assistance, the State Department has held phone conversations with Cuban experts but has offered no material aid.

At least one Cuban firefighter has died, and 14 more are still missing. “We offer our condolences to families and loved ones, as did the State Department,” said Keck. “But frankly, now neither condolences nor phone calls are enough. Cuba needs the expert teams and equipment the US could so easily and legally provide, even with current sanctions in place.”

MEDICC’s Director pointed to devastating environmental consequences from the fire’s toxic smoke cloud swept over Havana and western parts of the island. Showers have converted these into “what can only be termed acid rain, a terrible health threat, to both people and the environment.” He noted that in addition to an energy crisis already affected in Cuba, food security will be further endangered by the fire’s repercussions on agriculture.

Dr. Keck recalled that the US government under former President Obama signed two memoranda providing for health cooperation and one for environmental collaboration. “We must resurrect these now,” said Keck. “And we must also permit short-term credits for food purchases and unshackle family remittances. Anything less fails to represent the generosity, humanitarian spirit and good will of the American people. MEDICC urges you to contact your representatives in Congress to speed US government aid to Cuba.”

(Note: MEDICC has also signed a joint statement issued by US churches and other civil-society organizations, urging US aid. See https://www.wola.org/2022/08/organizations-call-for-disaster-relief-cuba-fire/ )

Header image credit:  Ricardo López
Additional credits (left to right): Cubadebate & Julio César García