Cuba is an archipelago that comprises the island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and over 1,600 smaller islands and cays. With a population exceeding 11 million people (2020), Cuba is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate variability. The country depends heavily on rainwater as its sole water resource, which makes it susceptible to changes in precipitation patterns. Rising temperatures also pose public health risks, including an increased prevalence of diseases such as dengue fever, diarrhea, chickenpox, and other viral infections. Additionally, Cuba faces challenges from rising sea levels, higher temperatures, and decreasing rainfall. Key sectors like agriculture, forestry and tourism are particularly at risk from these climatic changes (World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal).  

From CARE Cuba’s initial focus on food and agriculture, their program has expanded over the years to include water and sanitation, sustainable livelihoods, climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction and humanitarian sectors.