Public Health Situation Analysis No2: Aftermath of Hurricane Melissa amid energy constrains in Cuba - 6 March 2026

Hurricane Melissa struck eastern Cuba in October 2025, causing extensive flooding, large-scale evacuations, significant housing and school damage, and disruptions to health, water, electricity, and food systems. These impacts have intensified existing public health vulnerabilities, including high dependence on imported food, increased risks of waterborne and arboviral diseases, and service disruptions affecting people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women, and children with special health care needs.

Since December 2025, limitations in energy availability have further influenced electricity-dependent health services, transport, agricultural production, cold-chain reliability, and the delivery of water, food, and humanitarian assistance, adding to the cumulative pressure on health service delivery, access, and recovery efforts.