One month after Hurricane Melissa devastated the Caribbean, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) continues to work closely with national health authorities in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba to restore essential services, prevent disease outbreaks, and reinforce health systems in the hardest-hit areas.
Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm on 28 October and in Cuba as a Category 3 storm the following day, affected over five million people, displaced more than 54,000, and caused 88 deaths. Across the region, 747 health facilities were damaged, including 642 in Cuba, 124 in Jamaica, and nine in Haiti, severely disrupting access to healthcare. The storm has also intensified health risks: Jamaica reports multiple cases of leptospirosis, Cuba faces surges in mosquito-borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue, and Haiti continues to contend with a cholera outbreak that began in 2022.
“At this stage, PAHO is supporting the rehabilitation of damaged health facilities to reestablish essential services and prevent outbreaks,” said Dr. Ciro Ugarte, PAHO Health Emergencies Director. “Our priority is to ensure communities have access to safe, quality health care while remaining vigilant for health threats that linger after the hurricane.”
Since the onset of the emergency, PAHO has mobilized technical teams and delivered over 23 tons of medical supplies and equipment from its Regional Strategic Reserve in Panama. In Jamaica, the organization is strengthening psychosocial and mental health services, while in Cuba, more than 11.5 tons of supplies—including generators, tents, medicine, and healthcare kits—have been delivered with support from Direct Relief, UN CERF, and the European Union.
To support continuity of care, PAHO coordinated the deployment of sixteen Emergency Medical Teams (EMTs) in Jamaica. Three Type 2 EMTs, functioning as self-sufficient field hospitals, were established near heavily affected hospitals in Black River, Falmouth, and Savannah-la-Mar, operated by Samaritan’s Purse, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, and the Barbados Defence Force. Additionally, thirteen Type 1 EMTs providing primary care and basic emergency services were deployed across affected communities, helping thousands regain access to essential health care.
PAHO has also strengthened disease surveillance and laboratory diagnostics by shipping PCR testing kits for dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and leptospirosis, and reinforcing laboratory capacity with ELISA readers and pipettes. In Haiti, PAHO and UNICEF distributed cholera kits to improve monitoring. The organization has delivered critical hygiene supplies, emergency shelter materials, and specialized equipment to ensure safe water and sanitation, while coordinating humanitarian assistance across nearly 45 organizations in Jamaica to ensure integrated support for the hurricane response.
Despite these efforts, the aftermath remains challenging. Jamaica has confirmed 18 cases of leptospirosis, with 39 under investigation and six related deaths. Many health facilities are still restoring electricity, water, and connectivity, though hospitals upgraded under PAHO’s Smart Hospitals program, such as Saint Ann’s Bay, Mandeville, and Santa Cruz, remained operational, highlighting the value of resilient infrastructure.
In Haiti, a three-month state of emergency was declared across six departments to accelerate assistance and restore essential services, while Cuba continues recovery amid blocked roads, collapsed bridges, ongoing rainfall, and increased risk of waterborne and vector-borne illnesses.
Thanks to generous contributions from PAHO’s strategic donors, including the Government of Canada, UN CERF, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, PAHO has been able to scale up support for immediate and short-term health needs. The organization has requested $25.2 million through its Strategic Response Plan for Hurricane Melissa 2025 to address priority health needs and will continue working with Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba to restore healthcare delivery, strengthen surveillance, and respond to emerging health risks.
