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The United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has allocated US$4 million to three UN agencies to assist over 100,000 vulnerable individuals in Haiti as Tropical Storm Melissa approaches. The storm, forecasted to intensify into a hurricane by Friday, poses a significant threat to the Caribbean nation. The funds will be distributed to the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to bolster preparedness efforts. Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, emphasized the importance of anticipatory action to mitigate the storm’s impact, which is expected to bring heavy rains, strong winds, and potential flooding, landslides, and power outages. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that Melissa, currently located 320 miles south-southwest of Port-au-Prince, is moving slowly westward with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph. A hurricane watch is in effect for southwestern Haiti, while Jamaica remains under a tropical storm watch. The NHC anticipates gradual strengthening, with Melissa potentially becoming a hurricane by Friday. The UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is closely monitoring the situation, ensuring that critical early warning messages, evacuation support, cash transfers, emergency shelter management, and water, sanitation, and hygiene kits are prioritized in the response.

In a powerful address to the United Nations Security Council, Carlos G Ruiz Massieu, the UN Special Representative for Haiti and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), emphasized the resilience of the Haitian people despite the country’s deepening crisis. Massieu, who has engaged with various political, international, and civil stakeholders over the past two and a half months, underscored the urgent need to address gang violence, humanitarian challenges, and the upcoming political transition. He highlighted the unprecedented scale of internal displacement, with over 1.4 million people forced to flee their homes due to armed group attacks on farming communities and other areas. Massieu expressed deep concern over the human rights situation, citing widespread abuses linked to gang violence, self-defence groups, and certain security operations. He stressed the importance of restoring democratic governance by February 7, 2024, and welcomed Haitian authorities’ efforts to consult with political representatives to avoid a post-February political vacuum. Massieu also praised the Security Council’s support for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) and urged swift action to enhance security, particularly for vulnerable communities and children. Despite the hostile security environment affecting international partners in Port-au-Prince, Massieu reaffirmed BINUH’s commitment to achieving full staff presence in the capital as a top priority. He called on the international community to translate its support into tangible progress to combat violence and restore stability in Haiti.

In a significant counterinsurgency operation, Nigeria’s military announced on Thursday that it had eliminated over 50 jihadists in coordinated drone and ground assaults. The attacks targeted militant groups who had launched simultaneous strikes on army bases in the volatile northeast region. The operation, supported by fighter jets, focused on locations in Borno and Yobe states, including Dikwa, Mafa, Gajibo, and Katarko. While the military did not specify the faction responsible, intelligence sources attributed the attacks to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter group of Boko Haram. Both factions have been waging a 16-year insurgency aimed at establishing a caliphate in the region. Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, a military spokesman, confirmed the success of the operation but noted that several soldiers were injured and infrastructure, including vehicles and buildings, was damaged by armed drones and rocket-propelled grenades. Local residents in Mafa reported seeing charred trucks, allegedly set ablaze by militants. The conflict, which has claimed over 40,000 lives and displaced two million people, has also spilled into neighboring countries, prompting a regional military coalition to combat the Islamist threat.

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Tropical Storm Melissa has claimed its first victim in Haiti, as an elderly man in the coastal town of Marigot lost his life due to severe flooding caused by the storm. According to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, the man was tragically struck by a falling tree, while five others sustained injuries in the central Artibonite region. The storm, which continues to intensify over the warm Caribbean waters, poses a significant threat of dangerous landslides and life-threatening flooding to Jamaica and southern Hispaniola. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami reported that as of 11:00 AM local time, the center of Tropical Storm Melissa was positioned near latitude 15.4 North, longitude 74.9 West. The storm is currently moving north-northwest at a slow pace of 2 mph (4 km/h), with a forecasted northward motion over the next day or two, followed by a westward turn by the weekend. Meteorologists predict that Melissa will strengthen into a hurricane within the next couple of days, potentially becoming a major hurricane by the end of the weekend. Residents in the affected areas are urged to prepare for severe weather conditions and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

ST JAMES, Jamaica — As Jamaica braces for the impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, MBJ Airports Limited (MBJ), the operator of Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay, has confirmed that the facility remains fully operational. The island is currently under a tropical storm warning and a hurricane watch, heightening concerns about potential disruptions.