However, extensive preparation by governments, with the help of UN agencies and other NGOs, appears to have helped lessen the impact and save lives in many areas.
In Cuba, the hurricane hit the province of Santiago de Cuba with winds exceeding 200 kilometers per hour and six hours of torrential rain. “Melissa is one of the three most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in Cuba and the strongest worldwide this year,” said Francisco Pichón, UN Resident Coordinator for Cuba, during a press conference via videoconference in New York.
“More than three million people were exposed to life-threatening conditions and nearly 240 communities are isolated due to flooding and landslides.”, he added speaking via video.
Existing vulnerabilities
The storm exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. Many affected areas had already suffered from Hurricane Oscar and earthquakes last year, while drought, increasing viral diseases and energy shortages caused even more tensions.
Despite these challenges, Cuba’s civil defense system helped evacuate more than 77,000 people to protection centersincluding schools temporarily repurposed as shelters.
Mr. Pichon highlighted the UN’s anticipatory action framework, which prepositioned relief supplies and personnel before the storm hit. “This mechanism allowed us to respond quickly and ensure that essential goods reached the people who needed them most.“, said.
Plans are underway to reach two million people in the coming days, including food security, health, education, housing, water and sanitation, and logistics.
Early preparation saves lives
In Haiti, the storm’s slow movement caused flash flooding, landslides and severe crop damage, said Gregoire Goodstein, acting U.N. humanitarian coordinator.
“At least 24 people have died, 17 were injured and 18 are still missing,” he reported. Currently, some 15,000 people are sheltering in more than 120 temporary facilities.
Early preparation helped save lives. “We deployed emergency reserves, established evacuation shelters and sent 3.5 million early warning messages.” Goodstein told reporters. “Rapid response teams worked alongside national authorities to ensure communities could evacuate safely,” he added.
Haiti faces the storm amid an ongoing humanitarian crisis, with 1.4 million people displaced, widespread hunger affecting half the population and cholera outbreaks in some areas.
Goodstein noted 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 assistance across the Caribbean, supporting both immediate relief and longer-term recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa.