The ANSWER Coalition is forwarding this appeal from the Hatuey Project, a newly-formed medical aid project of health providers and social justice activists concerned about the harmful effects of the U.S. economic blockade of Cuba.

As you may have already read, in Cuba’s Matanzas province a massive fire has engulfed huge oil storage tanks at the Supertanker Base, carrying tens of thousands of cubic meters of fuel each. The fire began with a lightning strike Friday in this province east of Havana, and spread to a second and third major tank on Sunday. It created massive smoke plumes and is still not under control.

Tragically, 16 firefighters are missing and one is dead. Dozens of people are burned, many with second and third degree burns.

We deeply lament the loss of the first missing firefighter found, Juan Carlos Santana Garrido, as well as the disappearance of 16 other firefighters, and the injuries sustained by more than 120 people. We extend our heartfelt solidarity with the people of Cuba.

Critical medical aid is needed. We are urgently appealing for your help.

The Hatuey Project is working to provide some of the most critical supplies for burn patients: Special ointments and gauzes, specialized intravenous solution, syringes/needles, antibiotics, surgical gloves and much more. We are applying for an export license that is required for some of the items. Here’s how you can help:

Make a monetary donation so we can buy the supplies below in bulk. These are the most urgent items needed to save the lives of the burn victims.

• Lactated Ringers IV fluid, $225, 24 per case, 500ml
• Continuous Flow Injection Set for IV, 48 per case, $299.50
• Tetanus vaccine, $34.15 per dose
• Syringes with needle, $21.99 per 50
• Piperacillen/Zosyn IV, $394.29 per 1,200 ml
• Silvadene cream ointment, $8.40 per 20 grams
• Bacitracin cream ointment, $2.16 per ounce
• Burn gauze, $9.63 per 4" pad
• Nitrile exam gloves, $5.75 per 100 gloves

We will deliver the first shipments this week by plane and will continue until the need is fully met.

Cuba has been through so much during the time of pandemic. Despite a heroic and successful campaign to vaccinate virtually all of Cuba from COVID, this summer has been particularly taxing for the whole country. Due to the U.S. blockade, major parts for electrical plants are lacking and they are in dire need of repair. The U.S. government has also blocked oil shipments from Venezuela from reaching Cuba. This has created an extreme shortage of fuel for transport and to run the thermoelectrical plants.

The people of the United States have extended material solidarity to the people of Cuba many times. This is now that time again.

Please click here to make a donation to The Hatuey Project. All proceeds will go to the material aid. Every donation to Hatuey is tax-deductible, through our fiscal sponsor, The Alliance for Global Justice.

On behalf of The Hatuey Project, we thank you.

Nadia Marsh, MD, Assoc. Prof. of Clinical Medicine
Simon Ma, MD, MPH, Family Medicine
Rachel Viqueira, MHS, Epidemiologist
Brian Becker, Executive Director, ANSWER Coalition
Gloria La Riva, coordinator, Hatuey Project

(Emphasis original. Photo credit: Vladimir Zayas/Bohemia magazine)