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.
分类： world
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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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US embassy resumes operations after threat alert
The US Embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, has resumed its operations on October 21, following a brief closure prompted by a security alert issued by US authorities. The alert, which was issued on October 18, warned of potential threats to US infrastructure in the region, urging US nationals to avoid visiting US government facilities during the Divali holiday weekend. The embassy communicated this advisory through a social media post, heightening public anxiety and speculation about the underlying reasons, particularly in the context of ongoing tensions between the US and Venezuela. However, by October 20, the embassy announced via Facebook that it would reopen for visa appointments and citizen services the following day. During a visit to the construction site of the new embassy on Tuesday, Newsday observed heightened security measures, including thorough searches of vehicles entering the compound. Embassy staff declined to comment on the situation, citing media restrictions, but a security source confirmed that such measures are standard procedure. Meanwhile, Minister Barry Padarath commended Homeland Security Minister Roger Alexander for addressing public concerns, emphasizing that such advisories are not uncommon given the geopolitical climate. Attorney General John Jeremie also dismissed rumors of seeking refuge in a safehouse, stating, ‘Absolutely not.’
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Eye on Melissa
The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a tropical storm watch as Tropical Storm Melissa advances slowly across the Caribbean Sea, south of Hispaniola. In its latest bulletin released at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, the Met Service warned that tropical storm conditions could potentially impact Jamaica within the next 48 hours. The government has already activated emergency response mechanisms in anticipation of the storm’s arrival. Forecasters predict that Melissa could bring moderate to heavy rainfall and strong, gusty winds, particularly affecting the north-eastern and southern parishes on Thursday and Friday. The storm, currently moving westward at approximately 24 km/h (15 mph), is expected to slow down and gradually shift its trajectory towards the north-west and then north in the coming days. Weather experts also cautioned that rainfall could extend into the weekend, heightening concerns about potential flooding and other storm-related hazards. For more detailed weather updates, readers are directed to Pages 4&5.
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UN chief calls for ‘fight’ against climate disinformation
In a powerful address at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) in Geneva, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the urgent need to combat climate disinformation and defend scientific integrity. His remarks come ahead of the pivotal COP30 summit in Brazil and follow controversial statements by former US President Donald Trump, who dismissed climate change as a ‘hoax’ and criticized renewable energy technologies. Guterres underscored the critical role of ‘clear-eyed’ climate science in understanding the existential threat posed by global warming, urging nations to reject misinformation, online harassment, and greenwashing. He highlighted the surge in renewable energy investments, noting that nearly all new power capacity in 2024 came from renewables, which he described as the ‘cheapest, fastest, and smartest’ solution to climate change. Guterres also stressed the importance of early warning systems for extreme weather events, particularly for vulnerable nations, as the planet faces unprecedented environmental challenges. With COP30 set to take place in Belem, Brazil, from November 10-21, Guterres called for bold national climate action plans aligned with the goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
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Melissa expected to become hurricane by Friday—Met Service
KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Meteorological Service of Jamaica has issued a tropical storm watch as Tropical Storm Melissa is projected to intensify into a hurricane by Friday. Evan Thompson, the Director of the Meteorological Service, announced during a special press briefing on Wednesday that the island will begin experiencing the storm’s effects as early as Thursday.