WED OCT 29 2025-theGBJournal| As Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica as a category 5 storm, agencies continue mobilising supplies to support affected communities, with one senior official on the island telling UN News that Government-led preparations have been nothing short of “extraordinary”.
Latest news reports say wind speeds have reached 165mph (270km/h) while storm surges of 13 feet (3.9 metres) are expected to lash the Caribbean island nation.
Conditions are expected to significantly worsen with a third of the island already experiencing power cuts amid what US hurricane forecasters are describing as “an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.”
The World Food Programme (WFP) is coordinating a sea-lift operation from Barbados, carrying essential supplies from the International Organization for Migration, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and WFP itself.
“Some 2,000 relief kits are also planned for deployment once airports reopen and the weather conditions permit flights”, said UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric.
In collaboration with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency and a joint aid hub established in Barbados, WFP is “instrumental” in the ongoing disaster response, with support from the European Union and Canada, emphasised Mr. Dujarric.
The slow-moving hurricane is expected to make landfall overnight local time in Cuba, to the northeast – with authorities planning to evacuate around half a million people to safer ground.
In Haiti, authorities have placed the departments of South and Grand’Anse on red alert, while other areas remain on orange alert.
“More than 3,600 people are sheltering in emergency sites in the Grand Sud département, with IOM supporting sheltering of 3,000 people preventively and the setting up of 100 shelters”, underscored Mr. Dujarric.
In addition, the UN and its partners continue to work closely with Haitian authorities to support preparedness and early action.
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