Focusing on health, water and sanitation; shelter, education and early recovery; The plan also pays special attention to the needs of women, children and other vulnerable groups, UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq stressed.
The UN is asking for $74 million to counter the devastation caused by Melissa.
The United Nations Aid Coordination Office (OCHA) released $4 million in emergency funds ahead of the Category 5 storm, while UN agencies released an additional $7 million, leaving a funding gap of around $64 million to meet urgent needs.
16,000 displaced in Haiti
In crisis-stricken Haiti, around 16,000 people have been displaced in total, with 43 dead, dozens injured and 13 still missing.
In Petit-Goâve alone, 25 people have lost their lives, the highest number of victims recorded by the hurricane.
On Wednesday, an OCHA team, along with representatives from the UN children’s and emergency food agencies, were on site to coordinate with local authorities and partners to strengthen response efforts.
The World Food Program (WFP) needs around 18 million dollars to help almost 190,000 people. Funds would be allocated as follows:
- Air service support: $469,000
- Cash-based transfers: $6.7 million
- Telecommunications and emergency logistics: $600,000
- In-kind food assistance: 1,784 metric tons
Additionally, WFP reported that 40 percent of households in the most affected communes now have a low food consumption score, representing a 20 percent increase since the disaster.
Despite the devastation, WFP’s early warning system in the country was very effective.
Highlights of the early warning system:
- 3.5 million text messages are sent to alert citizens before the storm
- 47,000 vulnerable people enrolled in safety networks
- Advance cash transfers delivered via mobile money, valued at nearly $1 million (approximately $100 per household)
The UN and its humanitarian partners are stepping up the aid response in the Grand Sud region, the area most severely affected by Hurricane Melissa, OCHA said.