KINGSTON, JAMAICA – Weeks after Hurricane Melissa, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record, tore through the Caribbean, the full scale of its devastation continues to emerge. The Category 5 hurricane unleashed catastrophic destruction across Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, leaving millions affected, infrastructure crippled, and a staggering loss of life. In response, United Nations agencies and international partners are intensifying massive relief operations today, working tirelessly to support government-led efforts and deliver life-saving aid to the hardest-hit communities across the regional landscape.
The Unprecedented Fury of Melissa
Hurricane Melissa formed over unusually warm Caribbean waters in late October 2025, rapidly intensifying from a tropical storm into a Category 5 behemoth with sustained winds reaching 185 mph (295 kph) and a lowest pressure of 892 millibars. It made a catastrophic landfall in Jamaica on October 28, becoming the strongest hurricane ever recorded to strike the island. The storm’s immense power generated destructive winds, torrential rainfall, and significant storm surges, leading to widespread flooding and landslides across the region. Scientists have linked the storm’s rapid intensification and ferocity to human-induced climate change, noting that warmer ocean temperatures provided an unprecedented energy source, making such powerful storms more likely and more intense. Climate change analyses suggest that a hurricane of Melissa’s magnitude is now four times more probable than in pre-industrial times.
Devastation Across the Caribbean Landscape
The impact of Hurricane Melissa has been nothing short of catastrophic across multiple island nations.
Jamaica: The island bore the brunt of Melissa’s initial fury, experiencing unprecedented destruction. The storm caused an estimated $8.8 billion in physical damage, making it the costliest hurricane in Jamaica’s recorded history and equivalent to 41% of the country’s 2024 GDP. Western parishes, particularly St. Elizabeth and Westmoreland, were decimated, with up to 90% of buildings in some areas suffering major damage or complete destruction. Roofs were torn off homes, schools, and hospitals, leaving entire communities exposed. Over 4.8 million tonnes of debris now block roads, crucial infrastructure, and access to essential services, significantly hampering recovery efforts. Power outages affected 77% of the island, and telecommunications were severely disrupted. The official death toll in Jamaica stands at 45, with 15 individuals missing, and an estimated 1.5 million Jamaicans were affected by the storm.
Haiti: Haiti, already grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, faced some of the deadliest consequences of Melissa. The storm’s heavy rainfall triggered catastrophic flooding and deadly landslides, particularly in the southern regions. Authorities reported at least 43 deaths, with many more missing. Over 11,900 houses were flooded or damaged, forcing approximately 16,000 people to seek shelter in temporary sites. The storm’s impact exacerbated existing vulnerabilities, placing millions of children at increased risk of malnutrition and disease.
Cuba: While managing successful large-scale evacuations of over 735,000 people prevented loss of life, eastern Cuba was not spared. Melissa made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane, bringing severe flooding, widespread power outages, and significant damage to homes, roadways, and infrastructure, including telecommunications. Hundreds of communities remained isolated in the immediate aftermath due to damaged transport networks. Over 700 health facilities sustained damage, raising concerns about waterborne and vector-borne diseases. More than 54,000 people remained displaced.
Regional Impact and Humanitarian Mobilization
The devastation extends beyond these three nations, with the Dominican Republic, The Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos Islands also reporting significant damage and fatalities. The United Nations and its partner organizations have mobilized at an unprecedented scale today, coordinating a multi-faceted humanitarian response.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has been instrumental in coordinating relief efforts, deploying teams on the ground and leveraging the UN Global Emergency Fund (CERF) for anticipatory action. A $4 million allocation from CERF allowed agencies to preposition life-saving support before the storm hit, enabling rapid evacuations and aid delivery.
The World Food Programme (WFP) is at the forefront of food distribution, providing emergency rations and cash assistance to hundreds of thousands across the affected nations. WFP has coordinated sea-lift operations to deliver essential supplies and has pre-positioned significant food stocks in Haiti.
The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is addressing the critical needs of affected children, providing hygiene kits, nutritional supplies, and supporting the rehabilitation of damaged schools. Nearly 477,000 children are experiencing significant disruptions to their education due to damaged or closed schools. UNICEF is working to ensure safe learning environments and provide psychosocial support.
Other UN agencies are providing critical assistance:
* The UN Development Programme (UNDP) is supporting debris removal efforts, particularly in Jamaica, where over 4.8 million tonnes of debris are hindering recovery. They are also involved in damage assessments and recovery planning.
* The Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) are airlifting vital medical supplies, generators, and supporting disease surveillance.
* The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is distributing health and dignity kits, focusing on reproductive health services and the needs of vulnerable women and girls.
* The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is supporting shelter operations and providing essential relief items.
Despite these extensive efforts, significant challenges remain. Blocked roads, landslides, and the sheer volume of debris continue to impede access to remote communities, slowing the delivery of critical supplies and delaying the restoration of essential services.
The Path to Recovery and Resilience
The recovery process from Hurricane Melissa will be long and arduous. The economic toll is immense, with projections for Jamaica alone exceeding $20 billion. The disaster highlights the increased vulnerability of Caribbean nations to extreme weather events, a vulnerability exacerbated by climate change. As the region grapples with immediate relief and long-term rebuilding, the emphasis is shifting towards building greater resilience. International solidarity, exemplified by the coordinated UN response, is crucial, but advocates stress the need for sustainable solutions and climate justice for regions disproportionately affected by a crisis they did not create. The news today underscores a critical juncture for the Caribbean, demanding sustained support and a renewed commitment to preparedness and adaptation in the face of an evolving climate.