On Wednesday 1 April, the European Commission announced the release of a €2 million package to support the people of Cuba in the face of the worsening energy crisis. This funding aims to guarantee the logistics required to distribute food and drinking water to the country’s most vulnerable citizens, and is in addition to the €4 million already approved this year for this area of the Caribbean (see EUROPE 13803/18). “The EU stands with the people of Cuba in their hour of need”, assured Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management. She said this support would “help keep life-saving aid flowing to up to two million people in need”, as the island suffers increasing shortages following the devastating passage of Hurricane Melissa. (JM)