Over 700,000 Children Affected After Hurricane Melissa Hits the Caribbean

30 October 2025 – PANAMA CITY: Hurricane Melissa Hits the Caribbean

Hurricane Melissa, a powerful Category 5 storm, has caused severe destruction across the Caribbean. According to UNICEF, more than 700,000 children have been affected by the heavy rains, floods, and strong winds that hit Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

The storm left homes destroyed, roads blocked, and schools and hospitals damaged. Many children and families have lost everything and are now struggling to access food, clean water, and shelter.

Children in Urgent Need

UNICEF reports that the situation is very serious for children. Many have been displaced or are living in shelters. Access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare has been badly affected. Education has also been disrupted as many schools are damaged or being used as shelters.

“Hundreds of thousands of children have seen their lives suddenly changed,” said Roberto Benes, UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
“Children urgently need food, clean water, health care, and a chance to go back to school.”

How UNICEF Is Responding

UNICEF teams are already on the ground in the affected countries, working closely with governments and partners to provide life-saving help.

Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa made landfall in Jamaica with full force.
UNICEF has released US$1 million to support emergency response efforts. The funds are helping to provide:

• Clean drinking water

• Hygiene and sanitation supplies

• Nutrition support

• Mental health care for children

Over 284,000 children are expected to receive this emergency assistance.

Cuba

In Cuba, UNICEF is focusing on making sure every child has access to clean water and safe learning spaces. Supplies distributed include:

• 1,300 hygiene kits

• 80 school kits

• 209 early childhood kits

• 213 recreation kits for play and recovery

• Roofing sheets, waterproof tarpaulins, and two portable water purification plants

These supplies will help schools and families rebuild safely.

Haiti

In Haiti, the storm claimed 20 lives, including 10 children.
UNICEF is helping by:

• Sending 2,900 hygiene kits and emergency health kits

• Treating acute watery diarrhoea cases

• Providing cash support to 7,500 families in the south

• Mobilizing 500 youth volunteers who shared over 137,000 awareness messages through SMS and WhatsApp to help communities stay safe

Dominican Republic

In the Dominican Republic, flooding and landslides affected over 60,000 people.
UNICEF is providing:

• 750 hygiene kits

• Support to restore clean water and sanitation

• Health and nutrition assistance for 20,000 children, women, and caregivers

UNICEF’s Appeal for Support

To continue its emergency response, UNICEF is appealing for US$46.5 million. This funding will help provide:

• Clean water and sanitation

• Nutrition support

• Health care

• Education recovery
  for over 380,000 children and their families in the Caribbean.

A Call for Compassion

Hurricane Melissa has left a lasting mark on the Caribbean. Families are struggling to rebuild their lives, and children need urgent help to recover from the trauma.

UNICEF is calling on individuals, organizations, and donors to support their relief efforts. Every contribution — big or small — can help bring clean water, food, and hope to affected children and families.

How You Can Help

You can support UNICEF’s emergency response by donating today.
Your donation can help:

• Rebuild schools

• Provide clean water

• Deliver health care

• Bring relief and comfort to children who have lost everything

Together, we can help restore hope to children in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

Media and Contact Information

For more information or to support UNICEF’s relief work, please contact:

• Giacomo Colarullo – UNICEF Communication Officer
  📞 +1 917 622 2782 | ✉️ gcolarullo@unicef.org

• Sendai Carolina Zea – UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean
  📞 +507 6821 0843 | ✉️ sczea@unicef.org

• Donna-Marie Wallace-Rowe – UNICEF Jamaica
  ✉️ dwallacerowe@unicef.org

• Salwa Moussa – UNICEF Haiti
  📞 +509 46 97 1003 | ✉️ samoussa@unicef.org

• Tamara Rosello – UNICEF Cuba
  ✉️ trosello@unicef.org

• Solangel Diaz – UNICEF Dominican Republic
  ✉️ sdiaz@unicef.org

In Summary

• Over 700,000 children are affected by Hurricane Melissa.

• UNICEF is delivering life-saving aid to Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.

• The organization needs US$46.5 million to continue its emergency response.

• You can donate to help children rebuild their lives.