The Ship Bringing Aid to Power Cuba’s Hospital

"We've come a long way across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, and now we're sailing through the Caribbean with a clear mission," said Óscar Camps, founder of Open Arms.

"We're taking medical supplies to help ensure energy autonomy for the ICU at Havana's Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital," Camps said.

"If there's a total blackout, our patient's lives are at risk," said a doctor at the hospital.

"Sometimes the generators fail despite all precautions," she continued.

"And having a reliable electricity supply means life for our patients," she said.

"We've worked in Yemen and Niger. We've carried out humanitarian flights. And we are now helping in Venezuela. So why not Cuba too after 60 years under an unfair blockade? It's become a severe humanitarian crisis that's deplorable," Camps said.

"We wanted to help hospitals because they care for the most vulnerable. That's how we connected with the Juan Manuel Márquez Hospital. And we started asking: what do you need? How can we help?" he continued.

"They gave us a list and we bought everything on it, including solar panels and all the equipment needed to provide energy independence for the hospital," Camps said.

"This is as far as we could go with this campaign. We did this with 4,000 donors in a very short time. So we'll keep doing more for Cuba, and we believe we can make a second trip," he added.

"A ship like this, an initiative like Open Arms, has a deeply humanitarian and vital mission. I've been on the ship, working alongside them, saving lives in the Mediterranean, and I know how they work and who they are," said Ana Miranda Paz, member of the European Parliament.

"International solidarity should not be punished, it should be an example," Miranda Paz said.

"What cause could be more noble than bringing medical supplies to a hospital?" she added.

"We'll be forever grateful for this action by the Spanish people and the Spanish government. It also gives us strength to keep standing. It reminds us that we are not alone in this difficult struggle," said a doctor at the hospital.

"We are incredibly grateful. As we were saying, I think there are many small acts of kindness that can make a difference," said Dr. María Caridad González Carrasco, pediatric oncologist.

"We are grateful as medical staff, but the mothers are grateful too, and so are the babies," she added.

"I think it's wonderful that they donated solar panels to help ease the energy crisis affecting hospitals in the country," said José Luis Lam, pediatric nurse.

"We hope they can continue bringing more aid because this is a very large hospital, and children come here from all over the country. It has truly been wonderful," said Dayana Blanco, patient's mother.

"I'm very happy, and I say this sincerely on behalf of the Cuban people. This is a great help for us," said Lourdes Frómeta, patient's grandmother.

"Can I have a kiss?" asked a member of Open Arms.

"Aw, that's lovely," she said.