Why our mission is focused on Havana

At Soutien Direct International, we have made a clear choice: to respond where the need is most urgent.

Today, that place is Havana.

According to recent economic data, Cuba is in the midst of a deep crisis. The country has one of the lowest per capita GDPs in Latin America, severely limiting families’ ability to meet their basic needs, particularly food.

But beyond the numbers, it is on the ground that our decision truly comes into its own.

A high concentration of vulnerability

Havana is the country’s most populous city and the main destination for many people coming from other regions.
In practice, this means a high concentration of families living in precarious conditions.

It is precisely in these settings that Soutien Direct International can take concrete, swift, and targeted action.

Total dependence on the market

Unlike in rural areas, families in Havana are largely unable to grow their own food. They depend on the market, where prices are high and volatile.

In this reality, one thing becomes clear:
without money, there is no food.

That is why we have chosen a simple and straightforward approach: delivering complete food baskets directly to families, without any middlemen.

An aging and isolated population

Many of the people we meet are elderly.
In Havana, nearly one in three people fall into this category.

Many live alone, with limited resources, and sometimes without family support.

They are often the ones we find on the front lines.
And they are also the ones for whom our help makes an immediate difference.

A crisis in public services that makes everything worse

Frequent power outages make everything more difficult: keeping food fresh, accessing water, and maintaining basic living conditions.

On the ground, we see the tangible effects of these failures.
They are exacerbating precariousness and making every intervention even more essential.

Urban poverty: more visible, more urgent

In Havana, poverty is hard to miss.
It is visible, concentrated, and often leaves people with no other options.

Unlike in rural areas, there is no possibility of self-sufficiency.
Families depend entirely on their ability to buy… or not.

Why We're Here

At Soutien Direct International, we believe that aid should be simple, straightforward, and compassionate.

Havana is currently facing several critical challenges:
a high concentration of vulnerable people, an aging population, total dependence on the food market, and a deep economic crisis.

In this context, intervening here is not a strategic choice.

It goes without saying.

Because for many families, financial assistance isn’t just a nice-to-have…

It makes all the difference between eating and not eating.