USAID Cuba Program

USAID Press Office
Washington, DC
http://www.usaid.gov

Overview

The USAID Cuba Program promotes a rapid and peaceful transition toward democracy in Cuba. The strategic objective is to increase the flow of accurate information of democracy, human rights and free enterprise to, from, and within the island. To date, a total of $26 million has been obligated in grants to 28 Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) to do the following:

• Build Solidarity with Cuba's Human Rights Activists
  USAID grantees have delivered food and medicine to families of political prisoners and other victims of repression in Cuba. Grantees have provided the activists with books, newsletters, videos and other information materials, as well as office equipment and other materials.
  
• Provide a Voice to Cuba's Independent Journalists
  USAID grantees have published more than 10,000 reports, via the internet, from Cuba's independent journalists and disseminated them in hard copy newsletters throughout Cuba. More than 100 independent journalists have taken journalism training courses provided by USAID grantees.
  
• Develop Independent Cuban NGOs
  USAID grantees have sent more than 80 international experts into Cuba to help train and develop independent Cuban NGOs.
  
• Provide Direct Outreach to the Cuban People
  USAID has provided the following outreach to the Cuban people:
  
  • 10,000 short-wave radios to the Cuban people to listen to international programming of their choice;
  • 2 million books, newsletters and other informational materials;
  • Support of direct outreach activities of the U.S. Interests Section in Havana;
  • Multi-media and Internet access program for Cuban citizens; and
  • Full scholarships for Cuban students to study in the U.S.