Hurricane Melissa has left nearly half of Jamaica’s population struggling with widespread devastation, with more than 130 roads blocked and power and communication networks severely disrupted. Health services are under immense strain, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that up to 360,000 people may require food assistance, particularly in western parishes where access remains difficult due to debris and fuel shortages.
WFP’s Country Director for the Multi-Country Caribbean Office, Brian Bogart, emphasized that while Jamaicans are known for their resilience, immediate support is essential to sustain recovery. Food, water, shelter, and medicine remain the most urgent needs. International aid is beginning to arrive, with French and Dutch naval vessels delivering relief supplies to Kingston’s harbour. In the coming days, WFP plans to assist up to 200,000 people through food distributions and cash transfers, bridging the transition from emergency relief to long-term recovery efforts.
In neighbouring countries, the hurricane’s impact has been equally severe. In Cuba, food distribution efforts have reached 180,000 people in protection centres across Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantanamo. WFP’s Country Director, Etienne Labande, noted that having the agency operational on the ground has been vital for ensuring rapid and effective aid delivery.
Haiti has also been deeply affected, with at least 30 deaths reported and an estimated 1.25 million people impacted by the storm. Relief operations there face significant challenges due to ongoing insecurity and the dominance of armed groups in Port-au-Prince, which complicates aid delivery. Labande highlighted that “recovery is a marathon, not a sprint,” stressing the need for sustained international support.
Despite logistical barriers and funding shortfalls, the UN and its partners are scaling up humanitarian operations across the Caribbean. An estimated $74 million is urgently required to provide life-saving assistance to 1.1 million people affected by Hurricane Melissa, while ensuring coordinated emergency logistics and communications to support ongoing recovery efforts.
