Kathmandu. The United Nations has expressed concern that Cuba’s growing fuel shortage is pushing the country into a serious humanitarian crisis.

Cuba’s energy crisis is worsening due to the inability to import fuel, which has severely affected basic services, including healthcare, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, hospitals are facing frequent power cuts, shortages of essential medicines and problems in the operation of critical medical equipment. Cancer treatment, dialysis services, emergency treatment, infant and maternal health services have also been affected.

It is difficult to provide radiotherapy to around 16,000 cancer patients and chemotherapy to more than 12,000 cancer patients due to lack of electricity and resources. Emergency treatment has been delayed due to shortage of fuel in ambulances.

Nearly 1 million people depend on tanker water and most of the water pumping systems are electric, which is causing disruptions. The food supply system has also been affected. The availability of basic food items is decreasing across the country due to problems seen in the process from production, storage and distribution.

The United Nations says it is working with member states to provide humanitarian aid to Cuba.