Humanitarian Aid
Dail Éireann — 2026-07-02
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Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (SF), Cork South-Central

Like other issues, the humanitarian aid is necessary but more than that, a political solution is needed. It is clear that US sanctions are pushing the people of Cuba to the brink. Children are dying because doctors cannot access essential medicine and supplies. This is not just what I have said but UN human rights chief, Mr. Volker Türk, and the UN have called the immediate lifting of the United State's sanctions against Cuba. Mr. Türk said, "The fuel restrictions imposed since early 2026 and the recent tightening of sanctions, taken together, are directly harming Cubans, especially the most vulnerable." The daily blackouts are now exceeding 20 hours. Conditions are rapidly deteriorating. The UN Human Rights Office has cited frightening figures. Infant mortality has doubled to 9.9% per 1,000 births. Childhood cancer survival rates have fallen from 85% to 65% and essential medicines are available at only 30% of normal supply levels. The key point is that although the Government is voting for these resolutions, how is it raising this in international forums to ensure movement?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-07-02/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:52:14+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-07-02