At least 1.6 million children at risk as Hurricane Melissa moves through the Caribbean

PANAMA CITY, 26 October 2025 - As Hurricane Melissa is moving slowly across the Caribbean Sea, the winds, torrential rains, and flash flooding have put at least 1.6 million children at risk, according to UNICEF estimates.

Caribbean countries, including Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, are expected to endure several days of intense weather that could disrupt basic services, especially in vulnerable coastal areas.

"All efforts to prepare for the arrival of hurricane are vital to mitigate damage and loss of life in the most vulnerable communities, especially in regions like the Caribbean. Small islands always face heightened vulnerability to extreme climate events," said Roberto Benes Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. "UNICEF helps strengthen national capacities to anticipate and respond to climate-related emergencies, and to deliver essential services for children. This is fundamental to protecting those who need it most."

Over the past decade, approximately 11 million people, including nearly 4 million children, were directly affected each year by natural and human-made hazards in Latin America and the Caribbean.

While extreme weather events put the lives of children and families at risk across the region, UNICEF, in coordination with national authorities and partners in each country, is supporting emergency preparedness efforts, including prepositioning essential supplies such as hygiene materials, water purifiers and containers, medical supplies, sharing early warning messages with communities, and providing cash to households at risk in the south of Haiti to mitigate the impact of the hurricane.

In 2025, UNICEF requested $19 million to prepare for emergencies in Latin America and the Caribbean and strengthen disaster preparedness for emergency response programmes across the region.

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UNICEF is the world's leading humanitarian organization focused on children. We work in the most challenging areas to provide protection, healthcare and immunizations, education, safe water and sanitation and nutrition. As part of the United Nations, our unrivaled reach spans more than 190 countries and territories, ensuring we are on the ground to help the most disadvantaged children. While part of the UN system, UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to finance our life-saving work. Please visit unicef.caand follow us on Twitter, Facebookand Instagram.

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