Brazil has begun delivering 48 tonnes [1] of powdered milk to Cuba to alleviate severe food shortages in the country.
This shipment represents a direct effort to mitigate a humanitarian crisis characterized by a grave lack of basic food supplies. The aid is intended to support the most vulnerable populations facing acute nutritional deficits.
The operation involves a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture, the Brazilian Air Force (FAB), the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC), and the National Supply Company (Conab). Minister Paulo Teixeira said he is overseeing the initiative to ensure the delivery of the supplies.
Logistics for the aid delivery were split into two planned flights [4]. The first aircraft departed from Porto Alegre International Airport in Rio Grande do Sul on Monday, July 13, 2024 [6]. A second flight followed on Tuesday, July 14, 2026 [7], transporting the remaining supplies to Santiago de Cuba.
This mission is not an isolated event, as Brazil has sent at least two remittances of aid to Cuba so far in 2024 [8]. The powdered milk was sourced to specifically target the shortage of dairy products, which has become a critical point of the broader food security crisis in the region.
The Brazilian Air Force managed the transport of the 48 tonnes [2] of cargo, ensuring the materials reached their destination in Santiago de Cuba. The collaboration between the various government agencies highlights a strategic use of national logistics to provide rapid humanitarian relief.
“Brazil has begun delivering 48 tonnes of powdered milk to Cuba”
The delivery of powdered milk underscores the severity of the current food insecurity in Cuba and highlights Brazil's role as a regional provider of humanitarian assistance. By utilizing military transport and multiple government agencies, Brazil is leveraging its agrarian surplus to maintain diplomatic and humanitarian ties with Cuba during a period of acute economic instability.
