Kelowna non-profit flying to Cuba to provide humanitarian aid, essential resources

Published 5:30 am Tuesday, March 10, 2026

One Shared Future- Un Futuro Compartido (OSF), a Kelowna non-profit, is responding to the deteriorating conditions in Cuba by flying to the country to provide essential supplies.

Inflation and a strained economy have left Cuba in a dire state, with the average salary worth less than $13 per month at the informal exchange rate, said OSF.

“Essential food items have become increasingly unaffordable, with a carton of 30 eggs costing nearly half of a typical monthly income,” reads the release.

​On Feb. 26, the United Nations top official in Cuba warned that the humanitarian consequences of the United States’ oil blockade are worsening daily, with many Cubans skipping at least one meal a day and prolonged power outages- lasting between 18 and 24 hours, leaving food spoiled without refrigeration.​

According to OSF, water access has become a major concern, with roughly 10 per cent of the population relying on tanker trucks for drinking water and 84 per cent of water pumping equipment depending on electricity.

Fuel shortages have also led to decreased garbage collection, which in turn has increased the population of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.

There are now more than 45,000 reported cases of chikungunya, “a debilitating illness marked by sudden fever and severe joint pain that can last months or even years,” stated OSF.

​While healthcare in Cuba remains free, the country is facing a critical shortage of medicine and medical supplies.

“In some cases, lack of antibiotics has resulted in preventable amputations to stop infections from spreading. Families are often required to bring medical supplies—such as sutures, needles, and catheters—to hospitals before procedures can be performed,” reads the release.

​According to OSF, since February, hospitals have been prioritizing emergency care, maternal and child health services, and cancer treatment, all while operating on limited generator power.

OSF will be flying to Cuba on March 18, carrying almost 700 pounds of donated medicine, medical supplies, nutritional supplements, and solar-powered equipment to address urgent needs.

“While our organization is quite new, it was born out of years of personal relationship building with Cubans on the island and beyond,” said Leanne Isaak, One Shared Future’s founder. “All of our donations are placed directly into the hands of Cubans we know personally who are leading inspiring community projects.”​

OSF is going to be providing these resources to grassroots groups in Cuba in order to continue supporting the communities.

This includes a pharmacy in Havana that gives away free critical medication.

Isaak said that OSF is donating a solar-powered water pump to a residence in Havana for people with severe mental and physical disabilities. Access to water will make it possible for nuns who care for these individuals to resume regular washing of clothing and bedding.

Additionally, OSF aims to help community organizations such as the Geriatric Centre in Old Havana provide free hot meals and “basic support to seniors who no longer have family or caregivers nearby, which is the case for a lot of these elders due to increased emigration,” said Isaak.

Isaak added that OSF will also support volunteer-run animal rescue groups that have been helping rehabilitate and rehome abandoned pets.

To learn more or support the initiative, visit: https://onesharedfuture.info/campaigns.