How the Food Crisis in Cuba Affects Christian Communities
The worsening food crisis in Cuba is having a severe impact on Christian communities, which are facing extreme shortages and rampant inflation. Amid this hardship, faith and solidarity have become essential tools for survival.
Antonio*, a pastor with over 30 years of service, remarks, “The country has been in crisis for many years, but the past few years have been the worst in terms of food shortages”. According to The Economist, this is the most severe crisis Cuba has experienced since the fall of the Soviet Union, on which its economy once heavily depended.
For Antonio and many other Cubans, improvement seems impossible under the current government system. “Unlike other countries, here in Cuba, you can’t sell what you produce on your farm. Everything must be sold to the government at prices that don’t even cover production costs, and it’s the government that distributes or sells the products. If this doesn’t change, nothing will improve,” says Miguel*, a Cuban merchant and pastor.
Currently, the Cuban government provides food to at least 90% of the population, most of whom live in extreme poverty, according to the Cuban Observatory for Human Rights. However, a lack of funding for imported supplies has turned the once-available “family basket” of basic goods into more of a dream than a reality. “Though the basket was never enough, it did ensure that no one went to bed hungry. Now, it no longer exists,” Antonio explains.
A Nation of long queues and empty shelves
In recent months, Cubans have been forced to stand in long lines to obtain food. A report from Infobae highlights that only a single loaf of bread per person, small amounts of rice, and no oil or coffee are being distributed.
This crisis is exacerbated by skyrocketing prices at private stores, making essential goods unaffordable. For instance, a carton of 30 eggs now costs two minimum wages – around 4,500 pesos – while the minimum wage itself is only about 2,100 pesos (roughly $7 USD on the informal market), according to Martí Noticias.
The scarcity is so extreme that, according to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, seven out of ten Cubans have skipped meals due to a lack of money or food. This crisis affects both Christians and non-Christians alike.
A Worsening Crisis
While food shortages are not new to Cuba, they have intensified since the pandemic began in 2020. Vicente Albornoz, dean of economics at the University of the Americas, observes that “government policies have lacked the capacity and flexibility to help the economy recover,” adding that “in the past five years, Cubans have grown poorer” according to a report by DW media.
Statistics from Cuba’s National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI) reveal a 66.7% drop in the food industry between 2018 and 2023, while agricultural production decreased by 7% between 2016 and 2022. These declines have reduced domestic food production and increased external debt, further limiting imports.
Beyond food shortages, a lack of gasoline, medicines, and basic supplies also plagues the population. A report from CiberCuba highlights shortage of syringes for medical treatments. “We’ve seen many sick people, church members, or their families sent home without treatment,” laments Antonio.
The Cuban government largely blames the crisis on U.S. sanctions imposed since the 1990s. However, the main issue lies in the government’s lack of foreign currency, exacerbated by the pandemic.
For example, tourism – one of the country’s main sources of income -, has dropped nearly 50% when comparing 2018-2019 figures with those from 2023. Additionally, sugar production – a major export – plummeted to just 350,000 tons in 2022, a historic low compared to the 1.3 million tons produced in 2019.
"Government restrictions prevent pastors from attending international congresses where they used to raise funds to support vulnerable Cubans. The government fears pastors will 'defame' them or collaborate with foreign organizations to topple the regime,"
The Role of the Church in the Crisis
Pastor Antonio emphasizes that the church plays a vital role in not only spreading the word of Jesus but also in providing hope and sustenance to those in need. However, the ongoing crisis severely limits the church’s ability to help.
Both church leaders and members are struggling financially, hindering their capacity to donate resources. This shortage directly affects the church’s ability to care for the most vulnerable, including children and the elderly.
Pastor Miguel also notes increasing government persecution of church leaders, particularly those with international ties. “Government restrictions prevent pastors from attending international congresses where they used to raise funds to support vulnerable Cubans. The government fears pastors will ‘defame’ them or collaborate with foreign organizations to topple the regime,” he explains.
The persecution of Christians in Cuba is marked by heightened surveillance and pressure on religious leaders. According to Miguel, government control over the population has intensified the July 11, 2021 protests, resulting in increased persecution of pastors and other religious leaders, particularly those who do not align with the regime.
Despite these challenges, Christian communities continue to come together to support one another. Since 2021, Open Doors has provided food to approximately 500 families. “Although the number of beneficiaries remains small compared to the total number of Christians affected in the country, it represents progress,” explains Josué Váldez*, a member of the Open Doors team in Cuba.
Open Doors has also, since last year, funded and supported the creation of at least seven productive projects initiated by churches to assist their communities. These initiatives, which include cocoa farming and pig sales, have directly helped more than 30 beneficiaries.
How you can pray
The pastors ask for prayers that God will continue to provide support for local churches so they can be salt and light to their communities. They also pray for a change in the country’s policies to bring relief to the Cuban people.
“We ask for prayers that this system will change, that the Lord will touch hearts, and that people will be able to live with dignity,” concludes Antonio, emphasizing that faith and solidarity will be essential for overcoming this crisis.
*names changed for security reasons
