The devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa is becoming tragically clear, as authorities in Jamaica report at least 19 fatalities. The storm, one of the most powerful to hit the region, has caused widespread devastation, particularly in the western parts of the island. Information Minister Dana Morris Dixon described scenes of “entire communities marooned” and areas completely “flattened.” Many thousands are without electricity and water, facing increasing desperation for essential supplies as they try to salvage what remains of their homes.
In Haiti, the situation is equally dire, with over 30 confirmed deaths reported, many as a result of a river overflowing in Petit-Goave. Access to some of the hardest-hit areas remains challenging, making a full assessment of the damage and casualties difficult. Haiti is currently sheltering around 15,000 people in over 120 shelters.
The hurricane’s fury has also been felt in Cuba, where over 3 million people were exposed to life-threatening conditions, although more than 735,000 have been safely evacuated. While no fatalities have been reported in Cuba thus far, nearly 240 communities are cut off due to flooding and landslides.
As recovery efforts gain momentum, aid supplies are beginning to flow into Jamaica through the main airport in Kingston. However, getting these vital resources to smaller, more remote areas is proving difficult, with many regional airports still not fully operational and roads often impassable due to debris and flooding. Aid agencies and the military are working to deliver supplies via road, despite these significant challenges.
Satellite imagery paints a stark picture of the destruction, revealing that almost every building in some Jamaican villages has been destroyed. Residents have shared harrowing accounts of being completely disconnected from loved ones and facing immense difficulties due to the widespread damage.
International support is pouring in, with governments and humanitarian organizations pledging aid. The World Food Programme is coordinating logistics, cash, and emergency supplies across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. The US State Department is deploying a disaster response team, and the UK government has committed £2.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding to aid the recovery efforts across the Caribbean. Meanwhile, Bermuda is preparing for the hurricane’s passage as a category two storm.
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