Guterres spoke by phone with Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness earlier today, later emphasizing in a statement that “international support is crucial” as the country deals with the effects of the Category 5 storm that brought rain, storm surge and catastrophic flooding.
“It calls for the mobilization of massive resources to deal with the losses and damage caused by the hurricane.“, declared the UN deputy spokesperson.
UN injects $4 million in aid
The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, Tom Fletcher, has allocated $4 million from Central Emergency Response Fund (DEER) so that agencies and their partners can quickly scale up their humanitarian operations in Jamaica.
Five days after the most powerful storm in the island’s history made landfall in the west, many residents are still waiting for help to arrive, according to local media, while many roads remain inaccessible and communities are without electricity and running water.
The government reported Saturday that the death toll stood at at least 28. The top U.N. official on the island, Dennis Zulu, said UN News Friday that around 13 UN agencies were working as quickly as possible alongside authorities to clear roads and carry out essential repairs.
“My team here remains committed… to ensuring that Jamaica gets back on its feet,” he said.
Support for vulnerable children
United Nations Children’s Agency, UNICEFsaid Saturday that more than 700,000 children across the Caribbean had been affected by the hurricane, which also made landfall in Cuba and caused chaos in western Haiti.
UNICEF is helping the Government of Jamaica reach more than 284,000 children to meet urgent nutritional needs, access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene, including mental health support.
In Haiti, UNICEF is deploying emergency hygiene and health kits, cash to at-risk households and engaging communities.
United Nations Aid Coordination Office, OCHAaccompanied UNICEF to Cuba’s José Martí Airport on Saturday to unload supplies for more than 90,000 people affected by Melissa – alongside national authorities – working as one team, leading the emergency response.
International solidarity, a lifeline
UN relief chief Tom Fletcher said on Friday: “In times like these, international solidarity is not just a principle: it is a lifeline.”
An OCHA team has been deployed to Jamaica to strengthen coordination and information management.
UN agencies and NGOs are helping to restore access, provide emergency health and water services and support communities whose homes, schools and hospitals have been hit hard.
Well prepared in Cuba
A $4 million allocation from the OCHA-managed CERF for Cuba enabled UN agencies to put life-saving aid in place before the storm hit.
- The World Food Program (WFP) provided food to 180,000 people;
- UNICEF has deployed mobile water treatment units and hygiene kits for thousands of people;
- the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) flew in medical supplies and generators;
- the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) moved seeds and tarpaulins to protect livelihoods and homes;
- and the reproductive health agency, UNFPA, distributed health and dignity kits.
The Cuban Red Cross provided assistance by organizing preventive evacuations, early warning messages and psychosocial support, in coordination with the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC).
Early warnings across Haiti
In Haiti, a country grappling with a massive humanitarian crisis and deadly armed violence, humanitarian teams are working alongside national authorities to respond to urgent needs. Days before the hurricane hit, a $4 million allocation from CERF helped preposition aid.
Additionally, more than 3.5 million alerts were sent to vulnerable populations, saving lives. UN agencies and partners are now supporting temporary shelters and providing food, shelter, non-food items and cash assistance.
“Local leadership, global solidarity and early action are saving lives across the region,” Mr Fletcher said. “This is the humanitarian reset at work – acting together with greater impact.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
