The United Nations has issued a high-level alert as Hurricane Melissa intensified into a Category 5 storm, bringing destructive winds, dangerous storm surges, and catastrophic rainfall across the Caribbean. Urban areas in Haiti are already experiencing severe flooding, and millions across Cuba, Jamaica, and neighboring islands are bracing for impact.
Key emergency actions and updates:
- UN deployment: Additional UN staff are being sent to Cuba and Jamaica to support emergency coordination and response operations. Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams are working closely with national authorities.
- Cuba preparedness: The UN has pre-positioned:
- 100+ tons of rice for eastern Cuba
- Hygiene kits for 6,500 people
- Fuel bonds and prevention messaging
- $4 million in emergency funding from the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF)
- Haiti’s vulnerability: Already facing gang violence, disease outbreaks, and gender-based violence, Haiti’s priority needs include:
- Emergency shelter
- Safe water and hygiene kits
- Essential household items
- Logistical support for isolated areas
- Jamaica’s risk: The country may face its most powerful storm on record. The World Food Programme (WFP) is providing generators, food assistance, and logistics. UNICEF has pre-positioned water, sanitation, and child protection supplies.
- Health and shelter support: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and International Organization for Migration (IOM) are reinforcing health operations and preparing shelter assistance.
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric warned of “destructive winds, dangerous storm surge, and catastrophic rainfall,” urging global solidarity and rapid mobilization.
UNICEF added, “Latin America and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world, and children are among the most at risk.”
Environment Correspondent, TWW News
Diya is a journalist at TWW News specializing in environmental reporting with a global lens. Her work spans climate policy, conservation breakthroughs, and the intersection of ecological justice and geopolitics. With a sharp eye for data and a commitment to public accountability, Diya covers stories that matter—from rising sea levels to green tech innovation—with clarity, urgency, and impact.
She brings a background in environmental science and field reporting, often spotlighting underrepresented communities and frontline climate defenders. At TWW News, Diya’s coverage is engineered for credibility, legal rigor, and Global grade editorial standards, helping readers navigate the complexities of a changing planet.