Hurricane Melissa: The UN Launches Maritime Humanitarian Aid Operation

The latest updates on Hurricane Melissa indicate that winds have reached speeds of up to 270 km/h, with a storm surge of 3.9 meters expected to impact the Caribbean island nation. This situation has led to one-third of the island experiencing power outages, and U.S. meteorologists have classified the phenomenon as “extremely dangerous and life-threatening.”

In response to this serious crisis, the World Food Programme (WFP) has begun coordinating a maritime transport operation from Barbados. This operation includes the shipment of essential supplies provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). It is estimated that around 2,000 humanitarian aid kits will be sent once airports reopen and weather conditions improve, according to statements from UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.

The hurricane is slowly moving toward northeastern Cuba, and landfall is expected during the night. Regional authorities have prepared evacuation plans for approximately half a million people, while a red alert has been declared in the southern and Grand’Anse departments in Haiti, with other areas under an orange alert. Over 3,600 people are already in emergency shelters in the Grand Sud department.

UN agencies are taking significant preventive measures in anticipation of the impending crisis. The WFP has mobilized over 800 metric tons of food to assist 86,000 people in Haiti over the next two weeks. Meanwhile, UNICEF has prepared water and sanitation kits for approximately 14,500 people, and the United Nations Population Fund has stocked reproductive health kits for 5,000 individuals.

The situation is even more complex, as winds from the hurricane are projected to reach up to 280 km/h, exceeding initial expectations. Eric Falt, UNESCO’s representative in Jamaica, has warned about the dangers posed by the storm surge, which could raise sea levels by three to four meters. Melissa is a slow-moving storm, which could result in significant water accumulation in some areas.

Despite the intense efforts by the Jamaican government and the international community to address the crisis, Falt has emphasized that, ultimately, nature decides its course. UN agencies continue to work closely together to adjust their strategies as the situation evolves.