UNICEF and Partners Prepare for Hurricane Melissa to Hit Caribbean Islands

As Hurricane Melissa threatens to unleash devastating rains and winds across the Caribbean, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and its partners are on high alert, working to prepare for the worst-case scenario. With estimated sustained winds of at least 157 mph, the Category 4 storm is forecast to strengthen to Category 5, putting the lives of 1.6 million children at risk in Jamaica, Haiti, and surrounding islands. UNICEF Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes, emphasized the importance of preparedness, stating that "all efforts to prepare for the arrival of hurricane are vital to mitigate damage and loss of life in the most vulnerable communities."

Key Takeaways:

• UN agencies and partners have pre-positioned lifesaving supplies, including hygiene materials, water purifiers, medical kits, and cash transfers to support vulnerable families in Haiti and Jamaica.
• 450 metric tons of food has been pre-positioned in Haiti, and cash transfers have been provided to 9,500 households in the south to mitigate the storm's impact.
• In Jamaica, the Red Cross and local authorities have mobilized early, preparing emergency shelters and stockpiling relief items for some 165,000 people in high-risk parishes.
• Communities are experiencing heavy rainfall and gusty winds, with forecasters warning that flooding could surpass that caused by Hurricane Beryl 16 months ago, which left significant financial and infrastructural damage.
• Rising risks for the Caribbean: over the past decade, approximately 11 million people, including nearly four million children, were directly affected each year by disasters across Latin America and the Caribbean.

Statistics:

• 1.6 million children at risk due to Hurricane Melissa
• 157 mph (about 252 km/h) estimated sustained winds of the Category 4 storm
• 450 metric tons of pre-positioned food in Haiti
• 9,500 households in southern Haiti receiving cash transfers
• 165,000 people in high-risk parishes in Jamaica being prepared for emergency shelters
• 11 million people, including nearly four million children, affected by disasters in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past decade
• 3,400 hygiene kits, non-food items, and shelter for 44,000 households and medical kits for 11,000 people positioned in Haiti
• 165,000 relief items stockpiled in Jamaica for potential displacement

Sources:

• UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes
• United Nations News (http://milnz.co.nz/mil-osi-aggregation/) - Copyright 2025 Multimedia Investments Ltd, distributed by Contify.com