Devastating Impact of Hurricane Melissa on Caribbean Communities

Fisher Prince Davis's fishing boat and his father's were severely damaged in Hurricane Melissa, leaving him and many in his Jamaican community in peril. The storm has caused catastrophic winds, storm surge, and destruction to homes and public infrastructure, affecting tens of thousands of fishers and farmers who feed their families and nearby communities. The World Food Program regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Lola Castro, said that "every (crop) that was on the path has been damaged." The destruction will impact how residents earn income and feed their families at a time when they must also rebuild homes and communities.

Key Takeaways:

• Hurricane Melissa has caused catastrophic winds of up to 185 mph and storm surge that wrecked homes and public infrastructure, affecting tens of thousands of fishers and farmers in Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti.
• The storm has damaged 15 acres of mango trees and two greenhouses in Amity, Jamaica, and destroyed the roof of a house in White House, Jamaican fishing community.
• The World Food Program is concerned about the impact on female producers in Haiti and Cuba, who typically sell their produce to the organization to supply local schools.
• The storm has exacerbated existing crises in Cuba and Haiti, including economic and political challenges.
• Small-scale fishing and farming are the primary sources of income for many in the affected communities, with 80% of farmers in Jamaica working on 2 hectares of land or less.
• The storm has destroyed boats, nets, and traps, making it difficult for fishers to work without electricity and storage facilities for their catch.
• Women producers face special risks, as they are heads of household and rely on their small income to maintain their families and children's education.
• Relief efforts are focused on immediate needs, but food producers will soon need cash to make up for lost income and replace equipment and animals.
• The World Food Program has raised concerns about the impact on women producers in Haiti, who may need to be brought food from other parts of the country or import it.

Statistics:

• 28 deaths in Jamaica and 31 deaths in Haiti have been attributed to Hurricane Melissa.
• The storm has damaged over 50,000 farmers and 11,000 fishers in Jamaica, with losses estimated at $4.73 billion Jamaican dollars (about $29 million).
• 200,000 farmers in Jamaica tend to livestock and grow bananas, melons, cocoa, and other crops, with 80% working on 2 hectares of land or less.
• Jamaica is one of the world's largest yam exporters, with its coffee growers generating $25 million annually.
• The World Food Program is concerned about the impact on 10 million food-insecure people across the affected countries of Haiti, Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic.
• Cuba faces a severe economic crisis, with $2 billion annually spent on importing food products.

Sources:

• New Delhi Times
• World Food Program
• Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining
• Jamaica Information Service
• University of the West Indies
• Caribbean Agroecology Institute
• United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization