Thousands of Palestinians are returning to their homes in the aftermath of a recent ceasefire, only to find widespread devastation and overcrowded UN shelters. The truce has allowed displaced residents to attempt to rebuild their lives, but many are confronted with the grim reality of homes reduced to rubble. With limited options, families are seeking refuge in newly accessible areas, though these sites are already overwhelmed by the influx of people. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, highlighted the growing movement across the Gaza Strip as residents relocate to safer or newly accessible zones. On Sunday alone, nearly 13,800 displacements were recorded towards Gaza City and North Gaza, with an additional 4,100 movements to the east. Humanitarian operations are being rapidly expanded under a 60-day response plan, with aid agencies increasing their presence in newly accessible areas to address soaring needs. Food parcels, containing essentials like rice, lentils, and fortified sunflower oil, are being distributed at over two dozen locations, reaching more than 15,000 households. UN agencies and 21 partner organizations provided nearly 944,000 meals over the weekend through 178 community kitchens, marking a significant increase in food assistance. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also intensified efforts, dispatching critical medical supplies to key health facilities, including treatments for chronic illnesses and essential pain relief medications. Shelter assistance is being scaled up ahead of the winter season, with 300 tents and 14,700 blankets distributed to vulnerable households. However, humanitarian partners warn that far greater volumes of shelter materials are urgently needed, requiring Israeli authorities to grant additional access for aid organizations. Despite the ceasefire, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with aid groups emphasizing that the needs are outpacing available resources.
分类： world
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News : Zapping…
In a significant move, the United States Department of State has announced the implementation of enhanced screening measures for US visa holders. This new policy, rooted in continuous verification, empowers authorities to revoke visas at any time based on the holder’s behavior or activities, marking a stricter approach to immigration control.
Meanwhile, CARICOM is reasserting its influence in Haiti’s political landscape. With the Presidential Transitional Council’s (PTC) term nearing its end in February 2026, CARICOM leaders have urged key figures, including Maryse Narcisse, André Michel, Claude Joseph, Ted Saint-Dic, and Jean-Charles Moise, to propose alternatives for the Council’s succession.
In Gonaïves, a notable administrative change occurred on October 21, 2025, as Me Guiverna Guillaume was replaced by Me Renable Destina as the interim Government Commissioner. Guillaume has been reassigned as Deputy Government Commissioner to the Prosecutor’s Office in Cap-Haïtien.
Environmental concerns are mounting in Petit-Bois, where Ecovert-Haiti has issued an urgent plea to the Ministry of the Environment and the National Agency for Protected Areas (ANAP) to address the severe degradation of a mahogany forest. Unregulated tree felling for charcoal and timber production, coupled with inadequate monitoring, threatens the forest’s survival and the local ecosystem.
On a brighter note, Haitian cocoa will be showcased at the Paris Chocolate Fair from October 29 to November 2, 2025. Supported by the Hauts-de-Seine Department since 2009, the event will feature tastings, producer-chocolatier meetings, and conferences on fair trade and agricultural resilience.
Lastly, EU Ambassador Hélène Roos met with Charles Jean Jacques, Haiti’s National Authorizing Officer, to discuss EU funding for governance, education, infrastructure, and food security projects, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to Haiti’s development.
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Tropical Storm Melissa could strengthen as it moves slowly
Tropical Storm Melissa has stalled in the Caribbean Sea, approximately 460 kilometers southwest of Pedernales, moving at a sluggish pace of 4 kilometers per hour. According to meteorologist Jean Suriel, the storm is expected to intensify over the next 24 to 48 hours, with a potential trajectory toward Jamaica. Despite its limited movement, Melissa’s expansive cloud bands are already impacting the Dominican Republic, particularly along the southern coast. This has heightened concerns over heavy rainfall, flash floods, and widespread flooding in both urban and rural areas of the southern and southwestern regions. Suriel further warned that the storm’s outer bands could trigger prolonged rainfall across much of the country, lasting through Sunday. In response, authorities and relief organizations are urging residents to remain vigilant, avoid rivers and flood-prone zones, and adhere to official safety instructions.
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New UN report warns climate crisis is hitting world’s poorest the hardest
A groundbreaking report jointly released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford University’s Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) has issued a stark warning about the escalating climate crisis and its disproportionate impact on the world’s most impoverished populations. Published ahead of the 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil, the study reveals that climate-related disasters are exacerbating poverty and threatening the lives and livelihoods of millions globally. The report emphasizes the urgent need for decisive action from world leaders to mitigate these escalating challenges. Findings indicate that nearly 80% of the 1.1 billion people living in multidimensional poverty—approximately 887 million individuals—are directly exposed to climate hazards such as extreme heat, flooding, drought, and severe air pollution. Among those in acute multidimensional poverty, 651 million endure two or more climate hazards, while 309 million face three or four simultaneously. Haoliang Xu, UNDP Acting Administrator, stressed the necessity of addressing climate risks to combat global poverty and ensure stability. Pedro Conceição, Director of UNDP’s Human Development Report Office, warned that these challenges are expected to intensify in the coming decades, with the poorest nations projected to experience the most significant temperature increases. The report advocates for climate-resilient poverty reduction strategies, enhanced local adaptation capabilities, and expanded international financing mechanisms to support vulnerable nations. The Caribbean, one of the regions most affected by climate change, continues to experience severe impacts, including intensified hurricanes and prolonged heatwaves. Caribbean leaders are pushing for the adoption of the Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) to better assess climate risks and access development financing, arguing that GDP alone fails to capture the true vulnerabilities of small island states.
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Belize is a Third Safe; U.S. Agreement Targets Asylum Transfers
In a significant move to enhance refugee protection and streamline asylum processes, Belize and the United States have signed a groundbreaking two-year agreement. The pact, finalized in Belmopan on October 21, 2025, establishes a framework for the safe and dignified transfer of third-country nationals seeking asylum, excluding Guatemalans. This agreement underscores both nations’ commitment to international legal standards, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1967 Protocol, and the Convention Against Torture. Key principles such as non-refoulement, fair asylum procedures, and measures to prevent fraud in the refugee process are emphasized. Belize will consider accepting asylum seekers proposed by the U.S., with the latter potentially providing financial and technical support to bolster Belize’s institutional capacity. The agreement can be amended or terminated through diplomatic channels. Belize’s Foreign Minister, Francis Fonseca, highlighted that the agreement is a broad framework and will only be activated after detailed implementation plans and operating procedures are developed. He emphasized Belize’s commitment to international law, cooperation with the U.S., and the protection of individuals fleeing persecution. The agreement also raises questions about its alignment with CARICOM’s free movement policies and regional asylum frameworks, particularly concerning the inclusion of CARICOM nationals among potential transferees. Additionally, it prompts discussions on pathways to residency or citizenship for recognized refugees and safeguards against chain refoulement for those denied protection.
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Belize Lands Multi-Million Climate Resilience Grant
Belize has been awarded a significant $10 million grant from the Adaptation Fund to launch the SEAM Project (Securing Water Resources through Solar Energy and Innovative Adaptive Management). This ambitious initiative, approved at the Fund’s 45th Board Meeting in Bonn, Germany, is part of a broader global effort to address climate change. The five-year project, set to commence in early 2026, aims to transform rural communities in Belize by providing sustainable water solutions, restoring ecosystems, and diversifying livelihoods. Key components include the installation of solar-powered hybrid water systems to ensure safe and reliable water access, reforestation and agroforestry initiatives to enhance ecosystem resilience, and capacity-building programs for local water boards to promote inclusive governance. The project will directly benefit over 1,800 residents in communities such as Boom Creek, Dolores, Otoxha, and Copper Bank. With a strong emphasis on empowering women and fostering community resilience, the SEAM Project is poised to become a national model for climate adaptation strategies.
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U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo closes due to Tropical Storm Melissa
The U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo has announced its temporary closure on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, in response to the severe weather conditions caused by Tropical Storm Melissa. The storm continues to batter the Dominican Republic with torrential rains and powerful winds, prompting widespread safety concerns. In an official statement, the embassy confirmed the suspension of all consular services, including visa and passport processing, affecting both U.S. citizens and Dominican nationals. Affected individuals will receive detailed instructions via email on rescheduling their appointments in the coming days. For urgent assistance, U.S. citizens are advised to contact the embassy’s emergency line at 809-567-7775. The closure aligns with preventive measures enacted by Dominican authorities, who have issued a red alert for Greater Santo Domingo and several southern provinces as the storm persists. The embassy emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety during this hazardous weather event.
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FLASH : Storm Mélissa threatens Haiti, 5 departments on yellow alert
Haiti is bracing for the potential impact of Tropical Storm Mélissa, as the General Directorate of Civil Protection and the Permanent Secretariat for Disaster Risk Management issued a hurricane watch for the southern peninsula on October 21, 2025. The storm, which has not yet reached hurricane status, could bring hurricane conditions to the region within the next 48 hours. The departments of Ouest, Grande’Anse, Nippes, South, and South-East are currently on yellow alert, following confirmation by Haiti’s Hydrometeorological Unit of Mélissa’s trajectory. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, thunderstorms, and large swells, with the Great South of Haiti being the most vulnerable area. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that Tropical Storm Mélissa was located near 14.3 degrees North latitude and 73.5 degrees West longitude, moving west-northwest at 11 km/h. Maximum sustained winds are near 85 km/h, with gradual strengthening anticipated. The storm is expected to approach Jamaica and southwestern Haiti later this week, potentially bringing 125 to 250 mm of rain to southern Haiti through Saturday, with risks of severe flash flooding and landslides. The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection has urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant, avoid crossing rivers, and take precautions to protect themselves and their property. The public is advised to stay informed through reliable sources and remain calm during this critical period.
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Tropical Storm Melissa threatens Jamaica as Bahamians there prepare
Tropical Storm Melissa has gained strength in the Caribbean, triggering a hurricane watch for parts of Haiti and a tropical storm watch for Jamaica, where a significant number of Bahamian students reside. Meteorologists predict that Melissa will escalate into a hurricane by Saturday as it moves northward, bringing torrential rains, powerful winds, and turbulent seas to the region. While The Bahamas remains outside the immediate threat zone, a potential northward shift could result in rain, squalls, and coastal swells affecting the southern islands next week. According to CNN, the storm was positioned 300 miles south of Haiti yesterday, with sustained winds reaching 50 miles per hour. Experts have warned of up to a foot of rainfall in certain areas, raising concerns about flash floods and mudslides, particularly in Hispaniola. Alveta Knight, Bahamian Consul General in Jamaica, assured that her office is vigilantly monitoring the situation and preparing to assist Bahamian citizens, especially students, if necessary. She highlighted that approximately 160 Bahamian students are enrolled in Jamaican universities, alongside 20 to 70 permanent residents, though these numbers vary. Knight emphasized that students are advised to adhere to campus safety protocols, which include evacuation and disaster response plans. In cases where institutional measures fall short, the Bahamian government steps in to ensure the safe evacuation of its citizens. Past hurricanes have seen students transported back to The Bahamas via government-coordinated flights. Knight also noted that assistance is available to all Bahamians who can verify their citizenship, regardless of prior registration with the Consulate. She observed that many Bahamians only seek Consulate support during emergencies, such as the need for emergency travel documents or family crises. With Melissa’s trajectory still uncertain, WESH 2 First Warning Weather forecasts suggest a northward path over Hispaniola, though some models indicate a possible turn toward The Bahamas.
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Cuba nabs suspected Chinese fentanyl kingpin wanted by Mexico, US
Cuba has apprehended Zhi Dong Zhang, a notorious Chinese fentanyl trafficker who escaped from house arrest in Mexico and is wanted by both the United States and Mexico, according to the Mexican Government. Known by the alias ‘Brother Wang,’ Zhang is accused of collaborating with Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels, both designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the US. His arrest was confirmed by Mexico’s Security Secretariat, though it remains unclear whether he will be deported to Mexico or undergo a formal extradition process. Zhang was initially detained in Mexico in October 2024 on charges related to money laundering and was awaiting extradition to the US when he escaped custody in July. Mexican Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch described Zhang as a key figure in international money laundering and fentanyl trafficking, facilitating the drug’s distribution from China to Central and South America, Europe, and the US. The arrest comes amid heightened US pressure on Mexico and China to combat fentanyl trafficking, a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than heroin and a major contributor to the US overdose epidemic. While Mexico has been the primary source of fentanyl in the US, Washington has increasingly targeted Chinese suppliers of precursor chemicals. Sources in Havana suggest Zhang will be extradited to Mexico, though details remain undisclosed. Cuba has yet to officially comment on the arrest.