Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 28, 2025 Climate and environment
Millions of people in Jamaica and other Caribbean countries are bracing for the powerful impact of Hurricane Melissa. The UN and its humanitarian partners are warning of a "critical" and "imminent" threat.
Speaking to reporters hours before the storm was expected to hit, a spokesman for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said the Category 5 hurricane would be the most powerful to hit the planet this year and would threaten the lives of a million people – including families still recovering from Hurricane Beryl, which struck Jamaica 16 months ago.
"Roofs will be tested. Water levels will rise. Many will be isolated," warned Nesephore Mghendi, head of the Red Cross office for the English- and Dutch-speaking Caribbean.
"Many buildings are expected to be completely destroyed," added Anne-Claire Fontan, a tropical cyclone specialist with the World Meteorological Organization, quoting a statement from the U.S. National Hurricane Center. "I've never seen that wording before… This is going to be a massive blow to Jamaica."
The first victims
Wind speeds at the hurricane's epicenter are currently reaching 280 kilometers per hour. Heavy rains continue to fall across the region, with deaths already reported in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Jamaica. According to Anne-Claire Fontan, the hurricane will bring three times the rainfall of the region's wettest month of the year—up to 700 mm.
"This means catastrophic flash flooding and numerous landslides," she explained. "In addition to rain and damaging winds, a storm surge of three to four meters, plus huge waves, is expected on the southern coast of Jamaica."
Speaking from Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Nesefor Mghendi noted that the hurricane is moving slowly – about six kilometers per hour – but extreme rainfall and winds will lead to “severe damage to infrastructure, isolation of communities and the loss of essential services for days, if not weeks.”
He noted that coastal communities are experiencing financial difficulties following the impact of the previous hurricane. Informal settlements are particularly vulnerable, as heavily waterlogged soil increases the risk of landslides.
"Save as many lives as possible"
"The main goal is to save as many lives as possible," stressed Jens Laerke, a spokesman for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
According to Nesephor Mghendi, Jamaican authorities have prepared approximately 800 shelters. Volunteers are assisting with evacuations, distributing humanitarian aid, and strengthening the early warning system.
Laerke added that, as part of the preventive mechanism activated by the UN, four million dollars from the Central Emergency Response Fund have been allocated for Cuba and Haiti to stockpile food, water, hygiene products, and medical supplies.
"What do people need to survive? Food, clean water, shelter, and medical care," he said. "When large-scale floods occur, clean water becomes scarce, leading to increased epidemiological risks."
When asked about the availability of humanitarian supplies, Mghendi stated that resources to assist 800 households have already been deployed in Jamaica. Furthermore, supplies for 60,000 households can be delivered to Jamaica and other Caribbean countries "within four hours."
"After their distribution, replenishment of supplies will be necessary, and we are counting on global solidarity," he emphasized. "At times like these, the world unites, and we expect that to be the case now. This is one of the 'storms of the century,' and I believe the global community will respond as one."
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.