Currently classified as a Category 4 hurricane, Melissa is gradually traversing the Caribbean Sea and is anticipated to escalate to Category 5 status, with sustained winds reaching a minimum of 157 mph (approximately 252 km/h). Nations in the area, including Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, are bracing for several days of severe weather, raising concerns that local infrastructure might be overwhelmed and essential services disrupted. “Preparations for the hurricane’s impending arrival are crucial to reduce potential damage and loss of life, particularly in vulnerable communities throughout the Caribbean. Small islands are particularly susceptible to extreme weather events,” stated Roberto Benes, Director for Latin America and the Caribbean at UNICEF. “UNICEF is dedicated to enhancing national capabilities to predict and respond to climate-related emergencies, ensuring that essential services are delivered to children. This is vital for safeguarding those most in need.”
**Preparedness and Humanitarian Efforts**
UN agencies and their partners have strategically positioned lifesaving resources, including hygiene products, water purification systems, medical supplies, and cash transfers to aid at-risk families. In Haiti, 450 metric tons of food have been pre-stocked, along with cash assistance to 9,500 households in the southern region to lessen the storm’s effects. Additionally, around 3,400 hygiene kits, non-food items, and shelter provisions for 44,000 households, as well as medical kits for 11,000 individuals, have been arranged. In Jamaica, the Red Cross and local authorities have acted proactively, organizing emergency shelters and stockpiling supplies for an estimated 165,000 residents in high-risk parishes, including Saint Elizabeth, Clarendon, Saint Catherine, Kingston, Saint Thomas, and Portland.
**Communities Prepare for Impact**
Communities are already facing heavy rainfall and strong winds, with meteorologists warning that flooding could exceed the levels experienced during Hurricane Beryl 16 months ago, which caused significant economic and infrastructural damage. Severe flooding is anticipated in low-lying, coastal, and informal settlements, with heavy rainfall likely triggering landslides in hilly regions. Key infrastructure, including ports and airports, may also be affected, complicating emergency response efforts. Reports indicate fatalities and injuries; in Haiti, three individuals lost their lives and one suffered serious injuries due to a landslide in western Port-au-Prince, while one death has also been confirmed in the Dominican Republic.
**Increasing Risks for the Caribbean**
According to UNICEF, approximately 11 million individuals, including nearly four million children, have been directly impacted each year by disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past decade. As Melissa approaches, national authorities are urging communities to heed safety recommendations, evacuate at-risk areas, and find shelter. UN agencies continue to collaborate with governments and partners, prioritizing the protection of children and other vulnerable populations.
