The Cuban government had on Monday confirmed that it had cried out for help from the World Food Program to ensure the supply of subsidized powdered milk for children, according to a report in state-run media. This news is a sign of worsening economic woes on the communist-run Caribbean island.
Cuba had originally announced in February that it was fighting to shore up milk supply as its domestic production fluctuates, the latest shortage to overwork a decades-old subsidies scheme established by the late Fidel Castro.
According to a state-run media outlet, CubaDebate, Cuba had asked for (World Food Program) assistance for the purchase of powdered milk in order to guarantee supply to Cuban boys and girls.”
A ship with 375 tons of powdered milk is expected to arrive in the coming days from Brazil as a result of Cuba`s request to the World Food Program, CubaDebate had further added.
Spanish news agency, EFE, first reported Cuba’s decision to seek for aid from the World Food Program last week.
Cuban officials had in February, revealed that the country had also run short of wheat, compelling it to cut the supply of subsidized bread.
Both bread and milk for children are key components of Cuba’s “rationbook” system established after Castro’s 1959 revolution to guarantee subsidized staples for all.
The system however, has fallen into disarray as economic crisis is handicapping the communist-run government’s ability to fully make true on its commitments, leading to shortages in food, fuel and medicine.
Cuba blames the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic and stiffened sanctions against the island implemented under former U.S. President Donald Trump for inciting economic crisis and handicapping its purchasing power in the global markets.
Nonetheless, Cuba revealed on Monday that it had also purchased 500 tons of milk from the United States, under exceptions that permit for the sale of agricultural products, as well as from Canada and Brazil.
