August 17, 2020

Hundreds of Canadians - individuals, trade unions and organizations, from Halifax to Victoria, purchased one million, nine hundred thousand syringes for Cuba to use for its home-developed, high efficiency vaccines against Covid-19.

Today, at the reception ceremony in Havana, Noemí Rabaza Fernández, 1st Vice-President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), speaking of the CNC’s member organizations said, “All of them had to face the restrictions and obstacles imposed by the absurd policy of economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, intensified in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic,"

This is a magnificent accomplishment by Canadians who support Cuba in its struggles against the pandemic and the cruel U.S. Blockade, each syringe comes with the logo of the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC).

“Back in January 2021, we asked the Cubans what they need most and set out to help.” said Elizabeth Hill, Co-chair of the Canadian Network on Cuba. “Syringes were high on the long list of items urgently needed but not available because of the US Blockade”.

Without being able to hold physical fundraising events and concerts, the campaign depended on the generosity of its 20 member organizations and friends to help raise over $130,000.  Some groups did fundraisers with baking and selling face masks.  One friend, from his terminal hospital bed wrote a cheque for $10,000 in memory of his numerous visits to the island.

“We, as friends and people who are in deep solidarity with Cuba, witnessing and understanding today the ruthless brutality--a brutality that includes a tightening of the blockade on its Caribbean neighbour while the same generous island makes sacrifices to save lives indiscriminately--understand why we must continue our campaign.” stated Keith Ellis, coordinator of the CNC’s medical supplies campaign.

The campaign for medical supplies continues, but today we celebrate the arrival of 1,920,000 solid gestures of solidarity from Canada.

For further information:
Elizabeth Hill, Co-chair, Canadian Network on Cuba
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 416 654-7105