The United Nations has launched a formal Plan of Action in Cuba to support the government-led national response following the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa. The plan focuses on restoring essential services in key areas such as health, water and sanitation, shelter, education, and early recovery. It also prioritizes the needs of women, children, and other vulnerable populations. UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq announced that the organization is appealing for $74 million to help the country recover from the widespread destruction caused by the Category 5 storm.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) had preemptively released $4 million in emergency funding before the hurricane made landfall, while various UN agencies have contributed an additional $7 million. Despite these efforts, a funding gap of approximately $64 million remains to address the most urgent humanitarian needs across affected regions.
In neighboring Haiti, which was also struck by Hurricane Melissa, around 16,000 people have been displaced, with 43 deaths, dozens injured, and 13 still missing. The town of Petit-Goâve recorded the highest death toll, with 25 fatalities. A joint UN team from OCHA, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme (WFP) visited the area to coordinate relief efforts with local authorities and humanitarian partners.
The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates it needs $18 million to assist nearly 190,000 people affected by the hurricane. Funds will be directed toward air service support, cash-based transfers, emergency telecommunications, logistics, and food assistance totaling 1,784 metric tonnes. The agency also reported that 40% of households in the hardest-hit areas are now experiencing poor food consumption, a 20% increase since the disaster.
Despite the widespread damage, Haiti’s early warning system played a critical role in saving lives. The WFP sent 3.5 million text alerts ahead of the storm, reached 47,000 vulnerable people through safety nets, and distributed nearly $1 million in anticipatory cash transfers via mobile money to help families prepare. As recovery continues, the UN and its humanitarian partners are scaling up operations in Haiti’s Grand Sud region, one of the worst affected areas, to deliver food, shelter, and essential relief supplies to those in need.
