Hurricane Melissa has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, damaging homes, infrastructure, and crops, and displacing thousands of people. Despite the severity of the storm, advance preparations by governments, supported by UN agencies and humanitarian organizations, significantly reduced casualties and helped communities brace for the impact.
In Cuba, the hurricane struck Santiago de Cuba with winds exceeding 200 km/h and several hours of torrential rain. UN Resident Coordinator Francisco Pichon described Melissa as one of the three most powerful hurricanes in Cuba’s history and the strongest globally this year. Over three million people were exposed to life-threatening conditions, and nearly 240 communities were isolated by floods and landslides. The storm aggravated pre-existing challenges caused by previous natural disasters, drought, and energy shortages. However, Cuba’s civil defence system successfully evacuated more than 77,000 people to safety. The UN’s anticipatory action framework, which pre-positioned supplies and personnel, allowed a swift humanitarian response, with plans to reach two million people in need of food, shelter, health care, and sanitation support.
In Haiti, Hurricane Melissa brought flash floods, landslides, and severe agricultural damage, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation. According to UN Humanitarian Coordinator Gregoire Goodstein, 24 people lost their lives, 17 were injured, and 18 remain missing, while around 15,000 are sheltering in temporary facilities. Early warning systems and emergency shelters helped prevent higher casualties, as response teams coordinated closely with national authorities to evacuate vulnerable communities.
Haiti continues to face overlapping crises, including widespread hunger, mass displacement, and recurring cholera outbreaks. The UN’s Humanitarian Response Plan remains critically underfunded, limiting the reach of life-saving aid. Across the region, the UN and its partners are coordinating relief operations and supporting recovery efforts to help affected populations rebuild their lives after Hurricane Melissa’s devastation.
