分类： world

In a swift response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Thursday that the United States is ready to provide immediate humanitarian aid to the people of Cuba. The hurricane, which struck Jamaica on Tuesday, has left eastern Cuba grappling with severe damage and unmet basic needs. The State Department has mobilized teams expected to arrive in the Caribbean as early as Thursday to assist in disaster response efforts. Rubio emphasized the Trump Administration’s solidarity with the Cuban people, stating, ‘In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation of eastern Cuba, the Trump Administration stands with the brave Cuban people who continue to struggle to meet basic needs.’ The U.S. is issuing a Declaration of Humanitarian Assistance for Cuba and plans to deliver aid both directly and through local partners to ensure effective distribution to those most affected.

Hurricane Melissa, one of the most devastating storms in recent history, has left a trail of destruction across the Caribbean, claiming nearly 50 lives and causing widespread damage. Early Friday, the storm began moving away from Bermuda, but its impact continues to be felt across the region. According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), Melissa is expected to transition into an extratropical cyclone, bringing heavy rain and strong winds to the northeastern United States and eastern Canada. The storm has already caused catastrophic flooding, power outages, and structural damage in Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. In Jamaica, the death toll has risen to 19, with significant damage reported in the parishes of Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth. Communications and transportation remain severely disrupted, hampering recovery efforts. In Haiti, the situation is dire, with 30 confirmed deaths, 20 injuries, and 20 people still missing. Over 1,000 homes have been flooded, displacing approximately 16,000 people. Cuba, already grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, faced extensive flooding and property damage. Residents like Felicia Correa from La Trampa near El Cobre described the storm as ‘devastating,’ exacerbating existing hardships. A study by Imperial College London suggests that human-induced climate change made Hurricane Melissa four times more likely, highlighting the urgent need for climate action.

Antigua and Barbuda has been struck by its 20th earthquake in less than a week, as a relentless series of tremors continues to unsettle the eastern Caribbean. The most recent quake, registering a magnitude of 4.0, occurred at 2:13 am local time, approximately 264 kilometers east-southeast of St. John’s, according to the University of the West Indies Seismic Research Centre (SRC). The quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers. This seismic activity began on Monday, October 27, with a significant magnitude 6.7 earthquake, followed by numerous aftershocks, including magnitudes 6.1 and 5.4. The majority of these tremors have been concentrated offshore between Antigua and Barbuda, Guadeloupe, and Dominica. The SRC is actively monitoring the situation and has indicated that preliminary data for the latest quake may be subject to revision. The eastern Caribbean is situated on the boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active regions in the area. Local authorities have advised residents to remain vigilant and adhere to guidance from disaster management officials.