标签： Haiti

Hurricane Melissa, now a Category 5 storm, continues to wreak havoc across the Caribbean, with Haiti and neighboring nations bracing for severe impacts. As of October 29, 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that Melissa’s center was located near latitude 20.3°N and longitude 76.1°W, with maximum sustained winds of 185 km/h and gusts reaching even higher speeds. The hurricane was moving westward at 12 mph (19 km/h), with a projected path that would take it across eastern Cuba, the southeastern Bahamas, and near Bermuda by late Thursday.

Haiti is grappling with the dual impact of Tropical Storm Melissa, which has disrupted daily life and posed significant threats to the nation’s agricultural sector. Sunrise Airways announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Haiti on October 28 and 29, affecting key destinations such as Miami, Port-au-Prince, Les Cayes, Cap-Haïtien, and Providenciales. The airline has pledged to update passengers on the resumption of services once conditions improve. Meanwhile, the storm’s potential to devastate crops has raised alarms, with over 330,000 farm households at risk. Given that more than half of Haiti’s population faces acute food insecurity, safeguarding national food production is critical. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Haiti’s Ministry of Agriculture are closely monitoring the situation and preparing to assist affected families. In addition to these challenges, projections indicate that 720,000 people in southern Haiti will be impacted by Melissa. The World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with the government and partners, has already provided advance payments to 47,000 vulnerable individuals and plans to expand food and financial aid. The international community has also expressed concern, with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) offering solidarity and support to Haiti and other affected nations. Amid these crises, a glimmer of hope emerges as Shelenchie Jeanty, a Haitian woman, becomes the first to pass the bar exam in Chile, a milestone celebrated by the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) as a source of pride for the diaspora.

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.

In a significant development for regional connectivity, Flytosky JSC has announced the launch of a direct charter flight route between Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, and Cancún, Mexico, starting November 15, 2025. This route, exclusively for individuals holding a valid Mexican visa or residency card, aims to streamline travel between the two destinations, eliminating administrative hurdles. Meanwhile, the southern city of Les Cayes faces devastation following torrential rains from Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which triggered severe flooding, landslides, and the destruction of critical infrastructure, leaving neighborhoods like La Savane and Bergeaud isolated. In diplomatic news, the Consul of El Salvador in Haiti, Johny Antoine Handal, passed away on October 25, 2025. His death was mourned by El Salvador’s Vice-President, Félix Ulloa Jr., who expressed heartfelt condolences to Handal’s family. On the political front, uncertainty looms as the Presidential Transitional Council’s (CPT) mandate nears its end in February 2026, prompting the Caricom Group of Eminent Persons to seek clarity from stakeholders. In a positive social initiative, the National Ambulance Center (CAN) launched an awareness campaign for the emergency number 116, engaging children at Casa Bambini Kindergarten in Puits Blain 24 through music and dance. Additionally, the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) distributed 4,700 hot meals to displaced families and vulnerable individuals at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) site in Delmas, underscoring ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Haiti is bracing for the full impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has escalated to a Category 5 storm, prompting the full activation of the National Emergency Operations Center (COUN). The hurricane, initially classified as Category 4, was upgraded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on October 26, 2025. A joint press conference on Saturday afternoon, attended by representatives from the Presidential Transitional Council, government ministers, and officials from Haiti’s Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM), formalized the maximum alert level. Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, Minister of the Interior and Communities, confirmed that the South and Grand’Anse departments are on red alert, while other regions face orange alerts for heavy rainfall. Over 350 shelters have been opened across the Grand Sud, accommodating more than 900 families (3,653 people). The provisional death toll remains at four, with 16 injured since October 21. Significant damage has been reported in agriculture, with banana plantations in Nippes and the South severely affected. Road infrastructure has also suffered, with landslides and flooding disrupting traffic in multiple regions. The DGPC has issued recommendations, including preventive evacuations and school closures, to mitigate further risks.