PAHO/WHO Strategic Response Plan: Hurricane Melissa 2025. Impacted countries: Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica

Hurricane Melissa struck the Caribbean as a powerful Category 5 storm, making landfall first in Jamaica on 28 October, where it caused catastrophic damage to infrastructure and knocking out telecommunications and power for 75% of the island. The eye of the storm then moved toward Cuba, where more than 735,000 people were evacuated and 120,000 had to seek shelters due to severe flooding and winds. In Haiti, the hurricane’s outer bands brought intense rainfall and flooding over several days, impacting road access and flooding health facilities.

Across these three countries, Hurricane Melissa severely impacted health systems, displaced thousands, and
heightened risks of waterborne and vector-borne diseases such as cholera and dengue.

US$ 25,217,000 are needed to address priority health needs.