The hurricane caused significant damage to homes, infrastructure and crops, displacing thousands of people.
However, intensive storm preparation by governments, with help from UN agencies and other NGOs, appears to have helped mitigate the impact and save lives in many areas.
In Cuba, the hurricane hit the province of Santiago de Cuba with winds exceeding 200 km/h per hour and six hours of torrential rain. “Melissa is one of the three most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in Cuba and the strongest in the world this year,” Francisco Pichon, United Nations resident coordinator for Cuba, said during a videoconference press briefing in New York.
“More than three million people have been exposed to life-threatening conditions and nearly 240 communities are isolated due to flooding and landslides.“, he added, speaking by video.
Existing vulnerabilities
The storm exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. Many affected areas had already suffered from Hurricane Oscar and last year’s earthquakes, while drought, rising viral diseases and energy shortages have made the situation even worse.
Despite these challenges, Cuba’s civil protection system helped evacuate more than 77,000 people to protection centersincluding schools temporarily converted into shelters.
Mr. Pichon highlighted the UN’s anticipatory action framework, which prepositioned relief supplies and personnel before the storm struck. “This mechanism allowed us to respond quickly and ensure that essential goods reached the people who needed them most.“, he said.
Plans are underway to reach two million people in the coming days, including food security, health, education, shelter, water and sanitation, and logistics.
Early preparation saves lives
In Haiti, the slow movement of the storm caused flash floods, landslides and severe crop damage, said Grégoire Goodstein, acting U.N. humanitarian coordinator.
“At least 24 people died, 17 were injured and 18 are still missing,” he reported. Around 15,000 people are currently housed in more than 120 temporary facilities.
Early preparation saved lives. “We deployed emergency stocks, set up evacuation shelters and sent 3.5 million early warning messages. » Mr. Goodstein told reporters. “Rapid response teams worked alongside national authorities to ensure communities could evacuate safely,” he added.
Haiti faces the storm amid a continuing humanitarian crisis, with 1.4 million people displaced, widespread famine affecting half the population and cholera outbreaks in some areas.
Mr. Goodstein highlighted that the UN Humanitarian Response Plan is currently 87 percent underfunded, putting life-saving operations at risk.
“Humanitarian needs remain immense and international cooperation is crucial. »
The UN continues to coordinate aid in the Caribbean, supporting both immediate relief and longer-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
