Dear Friends,
This week, in the wake of the July 11 protests in Cuba and following six months of inaction on the Cuba policy front, the Biden-Harris administration announced reviews of remittance channels, the reestablishment of consular services and the restaffing of the U.S. Embassy in Havana, and a review on how to facilitate “safe and secure” internet access throughout the island.
In Cuba, civil society, churches, and international organizations have begun efforts to locate and advocate for those currently detained following the demonstrations that took place on July 11. Groups on and off the island have begun collecting donations as Cuba continues to grapple with food and goods shortages and high COVID-19 rates, which were conditions that, in part, drove the protests.
- The Give to Cuba campaign is collecting donations to help Cuban families access food, medicine, and hygiene products. The campaign, launched by a group of Cuban Americans, “highlights vetted organizations with a long track record of helping families in Cuba” access scarce resources.
- Global Community X Matanzas, launched by Cuba’s first independent fashion brand Clandestina in partnership with charter airline Evelop and Cuban companies Negolucion and Madao, allows individuals to donate medicines and supplies in Madrid, Spain which will then be shipped to Havana and distributed in Matanzas.
- MANDAO X DADOR, launched by Cuban lifestyle and fashion brand Dador, allows individuals to donate money to “make it possible for a Cuban family to receive a basket of locally produced food.”
- ReglaSoul’s donation campaign allows individuals to donate via Venmo to support the purchase of materials needed to construct a community garden in the Regla municipality of Havana, which will provide an alternative source of “food and medicinal resources” for black families. ReglaSoul is a “Cuba based project that promotes an alternative holistic lifestyle” and that “advocates for better access to wellness resources for Afro descendants in Cuba through plant based and holistic healing events and workshops.”
There are two weeks left to apply for CDA’s fall internship! CDA is seeking two fall interns who will work in three key areas: Policy and Advocacy; Communications and Social Media; and Nonprofit Development. Internships may be completed remotely or in-person. The deadline to apply is August 5. Visit our website to learn more about the internship and to read reflections from past interns.
Yesterday, Cuba reported a record number of COVID-19 cases at 7,784. There are currently 37,435 total active cases of COVID-19 on the island, an increase from the previous day. Matanzas reported the largest number of new cases by far compared to other provinces at 1,603. The total number of deaths since March 2020 is 2,203. For a graph of case numbers since March 2020, see here. For a detailed breakdown of all COVID-19 data, visit this website.
This week, in Cuba news…
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