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Storm surges

UN Secretary-General Expresses Solidarity with Jamaicans Amidst Hurricane Melissa Devastation

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

UN Secretary-General Antònio Guterres has expressed solidarity with Jamaicans on Sunday, struggling to cope with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. The category 5 storm brought rain, storm surges, and catastrophic flooding, causing at least 28 deaths and leaving many residents without aid, power, and running water. The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has allocated $4 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for humanitarian operations in Jamaica, with agencies and partners rapidly scaling up their efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Secretary-General, Antònio Guterres, expressed solidarity with Jamaicans on Sunday, emphasizing the need for international support to deal with the loss and damage from the hurricane.
  • The death toll from Hurricane Melissa has risen to at least 28, with many residents still waiting for aid to arrive.
  • The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has allocated $4 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for humanitarian operations in Jamaica.
  • Over 700,000 children across the Caribbean have been impacted by the hurricane, with the UN children's agency, UNICEF, supporting the Jamaican Government to reach over 284,000 children with urgent nutrition needs, safe water, sanitation, and hygiene support.
  • UN agencies and NGOs are helping restore access, deliver emergency health and water services, and assist communities affected by the hurricane.
  • In Cuba, a $4 million allocation from the CERF allowed UN agencies to position life-saving support before the storm hit, with the World Food Programme (WFP) providing food for 180,000 people and UNICEF deploying mobile water-treatment units and hygiene kits.
  • In Haiti, a $4 million CERF allocation allowed aid to be pre-positioned, with over 3.5 million alert messages sent out to vulnerable populations before the hurricane struck.

Statistics:

  • At least 28 deaths have been reported in Jamaica due to Hurricane Melissa.
  • Over 700,000 children across the Caribbean have been impacted by the hurricane.
  • The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has allocated $4 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for humanitarian operations in Jamaica.
  • A $4 million allocation from the CERF allowed UN agencies to position life-saving support in Cuba before the storm hit.
  • Over 3.5 million alert messages were sent out to vulnerable populations in Haiti before the hurricane struck.

Sources:

  • United Nations Secretary-General, Antònio Guterres
  • United Nations Deputy Spokesperson
  • United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher
  • United Nations Children's Agency (UNICEF)
  • United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
  • United Nations World Food Programme (WFP)
  • United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
  • United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
  • International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC)
  • Cuban Red Cross

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