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Hurricane Melissa's Fury: 30 Dead in Haiti, 1.5 Million Affected in Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa has caused devastating damage across the Caribbean region, particularly in Haiti and Jamaica. The storm killed at least 30 people in Haiti while affecting 1.5 million Jamaicans with severe infrastructure damage. Jamaica faces massive challenges with over 130 roads blocked, hospitals damaged, and hundreds of thousands needing food assistance. International aid is arriving, including 20 tonnes of relief materials from India to support recovery efforts in both countries.

Key Points: Hurricane Melissa Kills 30 in Haiti, Affects 1.5 Million Jamaica

  • At least 30 people killed in Haiti by Hurricane Melissa's destructive path
  • 1.5 million Jamaicans affected with 130+ roads blocked and power outages
  • WFP estimates 360,000 people may need food assistance in Jamaica
  • India dispatches 20 tonnes of humanitarian aid to both Jamaica and Cuba
2 min read

At least 30 killed in Haiti, 1.5 million people affected in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa: UN

UN reports Hurricane Melissa devastates Caribbean: 30 dead in Haiti, 1.5 million affected in Jamaica with severe infrastructure damage and growing food crisis.

"Despatched 20 tonnes each of HADR relief materials for Jamaica and Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. - S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister"

United Nations, Nov 5

At least 30 people have been killed in Haiti and more than 1.5 million people affected in Jamaica by Hurricane Melissa, a UN spokesperson said.

In Jamaica, infrastructure has been severely damaged, with more than 130 roads blocked and power and communication networks disrupted, Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told a daily briefing on Tuesday.

Health services are under heavy strain, since several hospitals and clinics were damaged or destroyed, prompting the deployment of an emergency medical team from the Pan American Health Organisation, he said.

Haq said the World Food Programme (WFP) estimated that up to 360,000 people may require food assistance in Jamaica.

A UN disaster assessment and coordination team is coordinating assistance teams and aid arriving, in support of the Jamaican government, he said.

In Haiti, Haq said that the United Nations and its partners continue to carry out assessments of the damage wreaked by Hurricane Melissa and are ramping up efforts to reach people in need, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Food and Agriculture Organisation indicated losses in beans, corn and fruit crops, as well as damage to fishing infrastructure, which is expected to increase hunger in a country where half of the population is already food insecure, said the spokesperson.

Speaking to reporters via video link, WFP's Country Director in Cuba Etienne Labande said the hurricane left behind widespread flooding, power outages and heavy damage, with crops lost and many buildings partially or fully destroyed in the eastern part of Cuba.

One particularity in the response to the hurricane is the anticipatory action framework adopted by Cuba, coupled with a pre-approved UN allocation, which enabled UN agencies to preposition key supplies in vulnerable areas ahead of the hurricane's landfall, Labande said.

Reaffirming solidarity with its Global South partners, India on Tuesday had dispatched 20 tonnes each of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) materials for Jamaica and Cuba to support recovery efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa.

Taking to X, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar had said, "Despatched 20 tonnes each of HADR relief materials for Jamaica and Cuba in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Indian Air Force flight carrying aid including Arogya Maitri BHISHM Cube, rehabilitation support items, food and daily utilities, medicines, medical equipment, power generators, shelter support and hygiene kits has departed from New Delhi today."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The situation in Haiti is especially worrying given their existing food crisis. 50% population already food insecure and now crop losses? This will create a humanitarian disaster. Hope international aid reaches quickly.
S
Sarah B
Impressed by Cuba's proactive approach with anticipatory action framework. More countries should adopt such disaster preparedness measures. Climate change is making these hurricanes more frequent and intense.
A
Arjun K
Good to see India's timely response with 20 tonnes of aid each for Jamaica and Cuba. Our disaster management experience from cyclones and floods should be shared with these nations too. 🤝
M
Michael C
1.5 million affected in Jamaica is staggering! That's more than half their population. The infrastructure damage will take years to rebuild. Hope the international community doesn't forget them after the initial headlines fade.
K
Kavya N
While I appreciate India's aid efforts, I wish we could do more given our capabilities. 20 tonnes seems modest for such massive devastation. Maybe we should consider sending medical teams and engineers too for long-term support.
V
Vikram M
The BHISHM Cube medical aid is innovative - shows how Indian technology can help in disaster response. Proud moment for our disaster management capabilities. 🙏

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