Tougher U.S. policy curtails aid to Cubans

A father holds his son's hand after treatment in Havana's Juan Manuel Marquez hospital. (No photo credit available)

Tougher U.S. policy curtails aid to Cubans
Humanitarian groups cite difficulty getting medicine, supplies to needy

By Gary Marx
[Chicago] Tribune foreign correspondent
Published October 10, 2005

HAVANA -- American humanitarian organizations...are permitted to operate in Cuba under an exemption to the 43-year-old trade embargo if they can secure a special license from the U.S. government.

For years such groups delivered medicine for HIV/AIDS patients, wheelchairs and walkers for the disabled, bicycles for hospital workers and other goods that are in short supply.

But two years ago, President Bush tightened trade and travel restrictions to Cuba in an effort to cripple the local economy and topple President Fidel Castro.

While it is impossible to quantify the impact on the amount of American humanitarian aid delivered to Cuba, many aid groups say the current environment has hindered their ability to operate on the island.

We've been working in Cuba for 10 years, and this is the most difficult time we've had, said Rusty Price, president of World Reach, a North Carolina-based group that ships donated medical supplies to Cuba.

Price said it took eight months to get his latest license from U.S. authorities to ship goods to Cuba. In previous years it usually took 60 days. On the Cuban side, Price says he senses a

change in climate. There's more scrutiny at customs and immigration.

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