Caribbean Countries Hit By Hurricane Melissa Still Struggling Two Weeks After Impact

UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations Tuesday sad that two weeks after Hurricane Melissa first made landfall in the Caribbean, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is reporting that people in Cuba, Jamaica and Haiti continue to rely on government-led humanitarian responses.

Hurricane Melissa, a category 5 storm left a trail of death and destruction in Cuba, Haiti and Jamaicca.UN deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, told the daily media briefing that in Cuba, more than 54,000 people are still living away from their homes, including 7,500 in official shelters.

He said the reported damage continues to exceed initial estimates and that the number of affected health facilities has increased from 460 to more than 600, while the number of damaged homes has climbed from 60,000 to 90,000.

“The UN system in Cuba continues to support national response efforts. The World Food Programme (WFP) has helped some 140,000 people in shelters and supported community kitchens, while the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is distributing agricultural tools and livestock feed to help restore livelihoods,” Haq said.

He said the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is delivering supplies to strengthen disease control and prevention, and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) is bolstering sexual and reproductive health services by distributing medical supplies.

In Jamaica, assessments and relief operations continue with only two communities remaining inaccessible, down from 27 last week, although further rainfall could isolate some areas again.

Haq said shelter remains a major concern, with 40,000 tarpaulins unable to be delivered due to damaged and blocked roads.

He said the WFP has helped 9,000 people in the parishes of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth and intends to extend cash assistance to up to 90,000 households.

Turning to Haiti, OCHA reports that the UN and its humanitarian partners are scaling up the response. Hurricane Melissa claimed more than 40 lives in the country and caused severe damage across several departments.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its partners have distributed hygiene kits across the country. They have also restored power for the cold chain for vaccines, while UNESCO and its partners provided psychosocial support in schools.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNICEF and other partners have distributed tarpaulins and other supplies.

“Today, WFP is delivering 15-day rations to some of the most heavily impacted areas in the south, following the completion of Government-led targeting to identify those most in need.

In the community of Petit Goave, WFP is delivering food for more than 40 thousand people. Registration of recipients and delivery of food assistance will continue in the south throughout the week”  Haq said.

He said the WFP is aiming to assist an overall total of 190,000 people in its response to the hurricane, with a combination of food rations and cash assistance where markets are accessible and functioning.

“So far, WFP has assisted more than 60-thousand people – including those who received anticipatory payments to help them prepare before the hurricane hit. The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) has expanded its operations, with five new access points to reach isolated communities,”  Haq told reporters.