14. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade whether her Department has assessed whether existing humanitarian assistance to Cuba is sufficient to meet the growing needs arising from shortages of food, fuel and essential medicines; whether consideration is being given to increasing Ireland's humanitarian contribution or supporting additional targeted measures through the European Union or United Nations to assist the most vulnerable communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50179/26]

Ireland is monitoring the humanitarian situation in Cuba and echoes the UN Secretary General’s deep concern at the growing humanitarian crisis in country.

Ireland’s position on the embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba is long-standing and clear. Ireland has consistently voted for UN resolutions calling for the ending of the embargo, most recently last October at the UN General Assembly. Restricting the flow of basic goods, and particularly fuel, to Cuba heightens the suffering of ordinary Cubans.

Ireland provides ongoing humanitarian assistance to Cuba through funding to global prepositioned humanitarian funds, which work with local partners to deliver assistance. These include the United Nation’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies’ Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (IFRC DREF), and the START Network.

In the past year, the CERF has allocated €6.4 million to UN agencies in Cuba, the IFRC has allocated €1 million to the Cuban Red Cross, and the START Network allocated £270,000 to Care International for their work in Cuba.

Ireland has also committed €100,000 through the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to support Cuba to build capacity and develop a strategy to respond efficiently to extreme events such as hurricanes. Ireland will continue to engage with its humanitarian partners to assess needs.

At EU level, in April 2026, the European Commission released an additional €2 million in humanitarian aid to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Cuba. This follows €4 million in EU funding approved as a regional allocation for the Caribbean, which was primarily allocated to the response in Cuba. In 2025, almost €6 million was provided for disaster preparedness and emergency response in Cuba.

Ireland continually engages on issues relating to Cuba through a range of diplomatic channels, including European Union and United Nations fora.