The United Nations has called for urgent international assistance for Caribbean nations battered by Hurricane Melissa, which left more than 400 people dead and displaced tens of thousands across Cuba, Jamaica, and Haiti.
U.N. humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths described the situation as “catastrophic,” with entire coastal communities flattened and communication lines severed. Initial estimates suggest damages exceeding $6 billion, making it one of the region’s costliest natural disasters in decades.
Relief operations are underway, but access remains difficult due to flooded roads and destroyed bridges. The World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF have deployed emergency teams to deliver food, clean water, and medical supplies.
Regional governments have declared states of emergency, appealing for international support to rebuild homes, schools, and hospitals. The hurricane — a Category 5 storm — hit just as many Caribbean nations were struggling with economic recovery post-pandemic.
Experts say Hurricane Melissa underscores the growing vulnerability of small island states to climate-induced disasters, calling for stronger resilience funding and early-warning systems.
