Hurricane Melissa, which struck Jamaica on 28 October and Cuba on 29 October 2025, has created urgent humanitarian needs across Jamaica, Haiti and Cuba. Approximately 4.1 million people have been affected across the three countries, including 1.4 women of reproductive age.
More than 124,600 people are currently residing in displacement and evacuation shelters. Many of the shelters are overcrowded and insecure, heightening the risk of gender-based violence (GBV), particularly for women and girls.
Hundreds of healthcare facilities, including hospitals, primary healthcare centres, and pharmacies have been severely damaged across the Caribbean, including 642 health facilities in Cuba, 54 in Jamaica, and 10 in Haiti. Hospitals and healthcare centres that remain operational are under increased strain as they function over capacity. This is impacting access to sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH), including maternal care for the estimated 58,900 pregnant women who have been affected by the hurricane.
UNFPA is responding to urgent SRH and GBV needs in areas affected by the hurricane. To date, 91 reproductive health kits have been procured to support 161,345 people, along with 5,650 dignity kits for women and girls. UNFPA teams have also conducted on-the-ground needs assessments, and response plans are being implemented to ensure the continuity of essential SRH services and address protection needs.
UNFPA has provided US$250,000 through the UNFPA Emergency Fund to the three affected countries to begin coordination and first-response actions. However, a total of US$9.93 million is needed for the Hurricane Melissa response. UNFPA is urgently calling on donors for support to ensure that lifesaving SRH services and GBV prevention and response are provided during this emergency.
