Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño has assured the public that Belizean students in Jamaica are safe despite the ongoing threat of Hurricane Melissa. In a statement made on October 27, 2025, Briceño highlighted the unique logistical challenges Belize faces in evacuating its students compared to other Caribbean nations. Approximately seventy Belizean students remain in Jamaica, with many sheltered at their schools, the home of Belize’s honorary consul, or designated safe zones. While evacuation is not currently feasible, the government is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the students. Briceño emphasized that the government is in contact with the students and will provide necessary supplies once the hurricane passes. He also noted that the Ministry of Education is coordinating efforts to assist the students, including funding for those who need to leave Jamaica. Despite the difficulties, the Prime Minister reiterated that the safety of Belizean students abroad remains the government’s top priority.
分类： world
-
Belize Kicks off 2025 International Partners Conference
Belize has officially inaugurated the 2025 International Partners Conference, a pivotal event aimed at fostering global collaboration to address the nation’s development challenges amidst the escalating climate crisis. The conference, now in its third iteration, brings together international allies to strategize on sustainable growth and resilience-building initiatives. This year’s theme, “Investing in the Green Transition,” underscores the urgency of transitioning to a climate-resilient economy. Key areas of focus include clean energy, e-mobility, sustainable infrastructure, and green education, all designed to position Belize as a leader in climate-smart development. Prime Minister John Briceño emphasized the significance of the event, stating, ‘Your presence here signals a commitment to action, not just ideas.’ He highlighted the enduring partnerships that have supported Belize through natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, and the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing gratitude for the continued collaboration. The Prime Minister reiterated that the nation’s development efforts are rooted in trust and a shared vision of achieving transformative change. The conference serves as a platform to accelerate Belize’s progress toward a sustainable and resilient future.
-
Hurricane Melissa may be ‘catastrophic’ for Jamaica, say experts
Hurricane Melissa has escalated to a Category 5 storm, the most severe classification, with wind speeds peaking at 165 mph (270 km/h). The hurricane is expected to make landfall early Tuesday, posing significant threats to Jamaica and other Caribbean nations. Already, Melissa has claimed lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, with four fatalities reported. Meteorologists have issued warnings about the storm’s slow movement, which is likely to result in prolonged heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of catastrophic flooding and landslides. Jamie Rhome, deputy director of the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC), emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The extreme rainfall potential due to the slow motion will create a catastrophic event for Jamaica.” In response, the Jamaican government has ordered evacuations in parts of Kingston and declared the entire island as “threatened.” Forecasters predict that Melissa could strengthen further in the next 12 to 24 hours, bringing destructive winds and life-threatening storm surges to Jamaica overnight Monday and early Tuesday. The NHC anticipates that the hurricane’s core will move near or over Jamaica by Monday night, followed by southeastern Cuba on Tuesday night and the southeastern Bahamas on Wednesday. Despite potential fluctuations in intensity, Melissa is expected to remain a major hurricane as it traverses these regions. The NHC forecasts up to 40 inches (100 cm) of rain in some areas of Jamaica over the next four days, heightening flood risks. Local authorities have urged residents in vulnerable areas to seek safer shelter. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in a social media post, called for thorough preparation and adherence to evacuation orders, expressing resilience with the message, “We will weather this storm and rebuild stronger.”
-
NOAA Hurricane Hunters Cut Short Mission as Hurricane Melissa’s 200-mph Winds Batter Aircraft
In an unprecedented move, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Hurricane Hunters were compelled to cut short their reconnaissance mission on Monday as Hurricane Melissa unleashed ferocious winds exceeding 200 miles per hour. The aircraft encountered severe turbulence in the storm’s southwestern eyewall, prompting the rare decision to abort the mission. Melissa, now a catastrophic Category 5 hurricane, is on a collision course with Jamaica, raising alarms across the Caribbean region. Forecasters predict the storm will approach or directly hit Jamaica late Monday night or early Tuesday, October 28–29, before traversing eastern Cuba and heading toward the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos by Wednesday. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that hurricane-force winds extend nearly 195 miles from the storm’s center, with Melissa’s sluggish 3 mph forward motion expected to prolong devastating conditions, including destructive winds, flash flooding, and landslides. Even before making landfall, Melissa has already claimed lives in Jamaica, with at least three fatalities reported. Among the victims was a healthcare worker in St Elizabeth, tragically killed by a falling tree during storm preparations. Jamaican authorities have issued urgent warnings, urging residents to remain in safe shelters as catastrophic flooding and landslides loom. The NHC emphasized that whether Melissa strikes as a Category 4 or 5 hurricane, the impact will be equally devastating, with both categories capable of causing catastrophic wind damage. As the storm continues its menacing path, the Caribbean braces for days of destruction and peril.
-
Guyana on standby to provide humanitarian support to Jamaica after monster hurricane passes
In the wake of Hurricane Melissa, the most devastating storm in Jamaica’s history, Guyana has announced its readiness to provide humanitarian support to the affected nation. The Guyana Civil Defence Commission (CDC) has confirmed its preparedness to dispatch emergency assistance, including technical, logistical, and relief supplies, to aid in Jamaica’s response and recovery efforts. The CDC is closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with regional partners, such as the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), to coordinate potential support. Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 miles per hour and gusts up to 215 miles per hour, is expected to make landfall near Kingston, Jamaica, late Monday or Tuesday, October 2025. The Government of Guyana is also assessing the safety of Guyanese nationals in Jamaica, ensuring they have access to emergency assistance and arranging for possible repatriation. The government has urged citizens in Guyana and the wider Caribbean to stay informed through official advisories and support regional preparedness efforts.
-
FLASH : 3 departments in red, 4 in orange, the worst to come
Haiti and several Caribbean nations are bracing for the devastating impact of Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which has already triggered widespread alerts and emergency preparations. As of October 28, 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that Melissa, with maximum sustained winds of 280 km/h and higher gusts, was located 640 km southwest of Port-au-Prince. The hurricane is moving slowly westward but is expected to shift northeastward, bringing catastrophic conditions to Jamaica, Cuba, the Bahamas, and Hispaniola. Haiti’s southern regions, including the departments of South, Grande Anse, and Nippes, are under red alert, while other areas are on orange alert. The storm is predicted to cause flash floods, landslides, and significant infrastructure damage, with rainfall totals potentially reaching 40 inches (1 meter) in some areas. Coastal regions face life-threatening storm surges and rip currents. Authorities have issued urgent warnings, advising residents to remain vigilant, avoid flood-prone areas, and follow safety guidelines. Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and eastern Cuba are also preparing for severe impacts, including torrential rains, destructive winds, and storm surges. The Southeast and central Bahamas, along with the Turks and Caicos Islands, are under hurricane warnings, with significant rainfall and storm surges anticipated. The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service has suspended all coastal activities in the southern zone until further notice. Civil protection agencies across the region are urging communities to prioritize safety and stay informed through official channels.
-
STATEMENT: Message from the Caribbean Community on the passage of Hurricane Melissa
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has voiced profound concern and solidarity with the governments and citizens of Jamaica, Haiti, The Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, the Turks and Caicos Islands, and other regional nations directly impacted by the unprecedented Hurricane Melissa. This historic storm has placed these countries in a state of heightened vulnerability, prompting urgent calls for preparedness and resilience. CARICOM has lauded the tireless efforts of national disaster management agencies and emergency responders, who are working diligently to safeguard lives and ensure the well-being of affected populations. The organization has emphasized the critical importance of adhering to official guidance and information to mitigate the catastrophic effects of the hurricane. Furthermore, CARICOM has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to fostering a collective response to support recovery and reconstruction initiatives in the aftermath of the disaster. This includes leveraging the coordinated efforts of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) to facilitate a unified and effective recovery process.
-
Hurricane Melissa: Earth’s Strongest Storm of 2025
Hurricane Melissa has intensified into the most powerful storm of 2025, with wind speeds surging to 175 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC). The Category 5 hurricane is now bearing down on Jamaica, posing a severe threat to the island nation. The NHC reported that Melissa’s winds escalated by 10 mph in just one day, signaling its rapid intensification. Tropical storm conditions are already affecting Jamaica, with catastrophic hurricane-force winds expected to commence tonight and persist into early Tuesday. As of this afternoon, the storm’s center was located 145 miles southwest of Kingston, moving at a sluggish pace of 3 mph. Despite the ongoing US government shutdown, NOAA hurricane hunters have been braving the storm to gather critical data. Meteorologist Andy Hazelton, who was aboard one of the aircraft, described the experience as ‘the most turbulent hurricane I’ve ever been in.’ The mission was cut short due to extreme updrafts and downdrafts, highlighting the storm’s ferocity. Authorities are urging residents to take immediate precautions as Hurricane Melissa continues to strengthen.
-
IOM Mobilizes Emergency Relief as Hurricane Melissa Closes in on Jamaica
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has initiated emergency relief efforts as Jamaica braces for the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm. Natasha Greaves, IOM’s Head of Office in Jamaica, emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, ‘We expect significant displacement, with many requiring immediate shelter and essential supplies.’ The IOM’s emergency response team is collaborating with Jamaica’s national system, prioritizing shelter, critical provisions, and data collection. Greaves highlighted the importance of established partnerships in ensuring swift and effective aid delivery. Hurricane Melissa’s outer bands have already unleashed torrential rains and powerful winds across the island, prompting the Meteorological Service of Jamaica to issue warnings of ‘catastrophic flash floods and landslides.’ Authorities have enforced mandatory evacuations in high-risk zones. The storm has already claimed four lives in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, underscoring its deadly potential.
-
St. Kitts and Nevis Evacuates Students from Jamaica Ahead of Hurricane Melissa
In a swift and decisive move, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, under the leadership of Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, has successfully evacuated 27 of its nationals studying in Jamaica as Hurricane Melissa intensifies. A chartered flight departed Kingston on Saturday evening, October 25, 2025, transporting the students to Turks and Caicos, with a subsequent journey to St. Kitts scheduled for Sunday, October 26. This evacuation underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. For students who chose to remain in Jamaica, the government has collaborated with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the St. Kitts and Nevis Student Association (SKNSA) to ensure their safety. These students are being housed in a secure hotel that meets stringent safety and emergency standards, with university shelters on standby if further precautions are required. The government is also closely monitoring the hurricane’s trajectory across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, maintaining active communication with regional partners and CARICOM institutions. Nationals in affected areas are urged to stay vigilant, adhere to local authorities’ guidance, and maintain contact with their respective embassies. For additional support, individuals can reach out to Ms. Karyl Woods, President of the St. Kitts-Nevis Student Association, or the Embassy of St. Kitts and Nevis in Cuba, led by Ambassador H.E. Verna Mills.