UNITED NATIONS, November 6 (IPS) – In late October, Hurricane Melissa, a strong Class 5 storm, made landfall within the Caribbean, inflicting catastrophic harm to civilian infrastructure and a devastating lack of life. Humanitarian companies have mobilized on the bottom to ship pressing help to affected communities dealing with widespread destruction of houses, mass displacement, fatalities, and extreme shortages of important providers, together with meals, water, medication, shelter, and electrical energy.
The United Nations (UN) estimates that roughly six million folks throughout the Caribbean have been affected by Hurricane Melissa. The United Nations Kids’s Fund (UNICEF) initiatives that roughly 1.6 million youngsters within the Caribbean are prone to the impacts of flooding, landslides, and regional disruption.
As of November 4, a minimum of 84 civilian deaths have been reported—43 in Haiti, largely as a consequence of flooding and landslides, and 35 in Jamaica. The coastal city of Black River in Jamaica suffered notably extreme harm, with an estimated 90 p.c of houses dropping their roofs. Different districts throughout the nation additionally reported intensive destruction to infrastructure, together with constructing collapses and widespread flooding.
“All efforts to arrange for the arrival of the hurricane are important to mitigate harm and lack of life in essentially the most weak communities, particularly in areas just like the Caribbean,” mentioned Roberto Benes, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “UNICEF helps strengthen nationwide capacities to anticipate and reply to climate-related emergencies, and to ship important providers for youngsters. That is elementary to defending those that want it most.”
Based on the Workplace for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), the UN and its companions are on the bottom in Jamaica, main a “strong nationwide response”, in an effort to strengthen humanitarian cooperation, working to revive entry to life-saving providers and revitalize faculties and hospitals in areas which were hardest hit.
On November 3, the World Meals Programme (WFP) launched an emergency response plan for the toughest hit communities in Jamaica. As of now, over 1,500 folks have acquired meals help with parcels containing meals staples equivalent to rice, lentils, meat, and vegetable oil. An extra 2,000 meals kits had been transported from Barbados.
“Extra shipments are arriving this week and WFP is facilitating the transportation of this help in coordination with companions throughout the UN system,” mentioned Brian Bogart, WFP’s Nation Director for the Multi-Nation Workplace for the Caribbean. “WFP plans to help up 200,000 folks throughout the nation with meals help and transition to money as and when markets start to recuperate. That is crucial for transitioning from a direct humanitarian response to a long term restoration technique, supporting markets and the economic system of Jamaica.”
Bogart provides that the UN and its companions are working “hand-in-hand” with the Jamaican authorities to assist reduction efforts and strengthen emergency preparedness packages. In Cuba, UN companies had been in a position to mobilize crucial assist providers previous to Hurricane Melissa’s landfall, positioning USD $4 million allotted from the OCHA-managed Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
Moreover, the Cuban Pink Cross and the Worldwide Federation of Pink Cross (IFRC) are at present working collectively to problem early-warning messages and supply psychosocial assist. It’s estimated that the supply of over 3.5 million early warning messages saved 1000’s of lives.
Within the fast aftermath of the hurricane, WFP was in a position to ship meals for 180,000 folks in safety facilities throughout Cuba. “We plan to help 900,000 folks for 3 months and half of these in want of help for a further 3 months,” mentioned Etienne Labande, WFP’s Nation Director in Cuba.“The UN in Cuba finalized its response plan which has been accredited by the federal government and might be launched formally tomorrow in La Habana, interesting for a complete of USD $74 million, all sectors included, and aiming to help over 1 million folks affected for a complete of 12 months.”
UNICEF was additionally in a position to help with water-treatment kits and hygiene kits for 1000’s, and the United Nations Growth Programme (UNDP) was in a position to help with shelter sources to guard civilians who’ve had their homes destroyed or broken, and the United Nations Inhabitants Fund (UNFPA) has delivered well being and dignity kits.
Regardless of these good points, humanitarian consultants proceed to emphasize the urgency of the scenario, highlighting extreme entry constraints and urging for strengthened humanitarian cooperation and a gentle stream of funding.
“In occasions like this, worldwide solidarity isn’t only a precept – it’s a lifeline,” mentioned Tom Fletcher, the UN Underneath-Secretary-Basic for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Reduction Coordinator. “Native management, world solidarity, and early motion are saving lives throughout the area. That is the humanitarian reset at work – appearing along with better influence.”
IPS UN Bureau Report
© Inter Press Service (20251106072822) — All Rights Reserved. Authentic supply: Inter Press Service
