What we know about Cuba today:

First, we must thank you for all the messages, emails, and concerns for Cuba. We, likewise, are concerned about the Cuban people. We hope that change gets better for the people of Cuba.

Air France, the last European airline to fly to Cuba, announced they will make their last flight March 31.

That will put an end to most all tourism from Europe.

Almost three-fourths of the island just experienced a 72-hour blackout. No electricity, and in some areas, no pumped water, as well as no natural gas for cooking.

Gas continues to rise weekly for cars and transportation. Almost emptying the streets of vehicles completely.

Public transportation is almost nonexistent.

Most Cuban physicians working in other countries had to return to Cuba. Those countries are nervous about what sanctions we will place on them if they continue to use those physicians.

The lack of food and medicine continues.

Our government says they are close to negotiating with Cuba to open the country. Although many articles from reputable papers and journals say the same, we cannot confirm where that might be in the process.

Roughly one-half of all the hospitals are closed due to lack of power; most have very few supplies, even to function. The medical school has closed the classroom portion of training.

Many hotels have shut down to conserve energy and because of the lack of tourists.
Airlines that needed to refuel in Havana have stopped all flights, including most out of Europe, Canada, and many other parts of the world. This is causing a drastic decrease in tourism.

Roads are blocked because of trash that is no longer being collected.
Food costs are at an all-time high for the most basic items.
Lindsey Graham says that after Venezuela and Iran, “Cuba will be next.”

The list goes on and on.

We will continue to travel as long as it is permitted. We will focus on shorter, weekend trips to supply needed medicines, food, and money to those in the greatest need. Presently, the Cubans’ lives are more difficult than we have seen in 27 years of First-Hand Aid’s work there.

Thank you for caring and supporting our friends in Cuba.

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Welcome to our little place in the massive world wide web. Like our mission,

this website is created with love and curated by the numerous volunteers who have

helped this great organization grow.

First-Hand Aid’s mission:

To Gather and Distribute Humanitarian and Medical Aid to the Most Marginalized Cubans Giving Them Hope, Dignity, and the Necessities of Life and Health.

First-Hand Aid is committed to making our humanitarian and medical aid efforts accessible. Our mission to support the most marginalized Cubans remains at the forefront, and we strive to ensure that our initiatives can be easily accessed and engaged with on the go.

Cuba is a vibrant country with a rich heritage. However, our island neighbors struggle daily to find enough food, modern medicine, and safe living conditions. Families struggle to make ends meet and put food on their tables. Store shelves are empty, and the black-market trade puts Cubans in constant danger although at times this might be the only way to procure food and medicine needed for daily life.

At First-Hand Aid, we reach out and lend a helping hand. We provide much-needed humanitarian aid to the children, families, and healthcare professionals in Cuba. We also provide a personal touch and build lasting relationships with the Cuban people because our volunteers travel to Cuba and deliver medical supplies and support in person.

We achieve this by personally carrying the items needed to achieve the above objectives. We interact with doctors, clergy, and Cubans to understand and provide for their needs.

We place our medicines in 7 locations around Havana and in the surrounding rural areas of Havana. These are supervised by local Cuban doctors who volunteer their services and give us a keen idea of the needs of the people in that area.

First Hand Aid also assists in providing food three times a week to shut-ins who do not have the ability to leave their homes to get food. This along with providing food for 40 preschool children from impoverished neighborhoods. Both these groups are also monitored by volunteer physicians for their individual health.

For 25 years we have immersed ourselves in Cuban culture to have a direct understanding of what the needs are of the Cubans. We have found this to be a successful formula for helping people.

We are thankful for the many volunteers who have given their time and service to us in the effort of helping. Also, the many donors who provided the funds to continue our work.

I hope you take the time to go through this site and learn about this organization.

Sincerely,