Cuba travel warning doesn’t shake Windsorite’s plans; Support grows for those facing shortages

Residents sending food and supplies to Cuba, and say they will still travel for humanitarian reasons. CTV's Robert Lothian reports.

New guidance over how Canadians should treat travel to Cuba hasn’t eliminated trips to the Caribbean country for some in Windsor-Essex.

Instead, Chad Stratford, a LaSalle resident, has been working to send resources to friends in Cuba.

“They’re the most amazing people I’ve ever met. I would call them family,” Stratford told CTV News

After first travelling to Cuba more than 10 years ago, Stratford established friendships that remain to this day.

In the past, he’s sent money phones, and more recently, 33 pounds of chicken through an online website.

“I love seeing the pictures that they send me of them enjoying their meals, but the really sad part to see is them eating in the dark,” he noted.

Basic necessities such as food, water and medicine have become scarce resources, difficult to acquire for Cuban residents

Faced with a worsening shortage of electricity and dwindling supplies of fuel, Canada has updated its travel advisory, urging travellers to exercise a high degree of caution if heading to Cuba.

“We’re stuck here”

Stratford said businesses often prioritize selling goods to tourists, and during previous trips, he has had to purchase items for local friends that were denied by shop workers.

A friend of Stratford’s, living in Cuba, agreed to share the details of life in a country on edge, on the basis of anonymity. In this case, she’ll be referred to as Maria.

Over a phone call on Wednesday afternoon, she shared details of regular blackouts that can range from 18 to more than 24 hours

Electricity, Maria stated, has been prioritized for places that help the economy, like resorts.

“In the town’s, it’s the worst,” she noted.

A mother of a newborn, without consistent power, they’ve had to shift from giving their youngest child milk to powdered milk.

“We use charcoal, and we cook, or we boil milk or whatever we need for survive, but mostly for kids,” Maria said.

“We can eat the bread or whatever, but kids, they need warm food.”

Those planning travel to Cuba have been urged to pack essentials, such as medication.

“The more scary thing is the medicine,” Maria said, noting hospitals face a shortage of supplies.

“The problem is there’s no medicine. You have to go to black market and take antibiotics or any medicine, for I don’t know, for fever or for whatever you need.”

Maria noted she’s hopeful they can raise the funds and receive the approvals to move to Spain or Canada. However, it can be difficult to receive permission for the entire family to move.

“I think it’s all Cubans in the same situation; we’re stuck here,” she said.

Trip moves forward

Canadian officials have stopped short of urging travellers to avoid making trips to Cuba.

In the case of Rev. Ron Dunn of Windsor, a planned trip will move forward despite the uncertainty.

He told CTV News, unless the situation is “so dire” that travel in and out is barred, he won’t postpone the trip.

“People are dying for lack of medication, and they’re just afraid,” Dunn said.

“As Canadians, my personal belief is I’m called to help, and, whatever that means to me, I guess we’ll deal with it when we get there,” Dunn said.

Travellers are being urged to sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service, ensure travel documents are prepared, and get insurance coverage that includes trip cancellations.

Due to the evolving situation, Canadians in Cuba are also being asked to prepare for travel plans to change on short notice.

“I’m not going to let fear control my life when folks who have it so much worse than me are calling for help. I think that’s just our responsibility and our duty to go and help if we can,” Dunn added.