On October 27, 2025, Hurricane Melissa intensified into a Category 5 hurricane, posing a severe threat to Haiti and neighboring Caribbean nations. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported maximum sustained winds of 260 km/h and a central pressure of 917 millibars. Located 625 km south of Port-au-Prince, Melissa is expected to move slowly westward before turning north and northeast, potentially impacting Jamaica, Cuba, and the southeastern Bahamas. The Haitian Hydrometeorological Unit (UHM) has issued a red alert for the South and Grand’Anse departments, with orange alerts for other regions. Catastrophic flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage are anticipated, with rainfall projections of up to 40 inches in some areas. Tropical storm conditions are expected along Haiti’s western coast, with hurricane-force winds extending 30 miles from the center. The Haitian Maritime and Navigation Service (SEMANAH) has suspended coastal shipping activities, and residents are urged to follow civil protection guidelines. Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the southeastern Bahamas are also under hurricane watches, with life-threatening storm surges and heavy rains predicted. Authorities emphasize the need for vigilance and preparedness as Melissa continues its destructive path.
标签： Haiti
海地
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News : Zapping…
In a significant operation on October 24, 2025, the Haitian National Police (PNH) targeted Laurent Bertony, alias ‘Ti Police,’ in Fonds-des-Blancs. Bertony, wanted for the assassination of police officer Rivaky Abner, was fatally shot while attempting to evade arrest. This operation underscores the PNH’s commitment to justice and public safety. Concurrently, France has reinforced its support for Haiti by training 48 specialized PNH officers from October 12 to 23. This initiative, involving units like BRI, SWAT, and UTAG, highlights international efforts to bolster Haiti’s security forces against criminal gangs. In the cultural sphere, Haiti mourns the loss of Dr. Michel Philippe Lerebours, a renowned art historian who passed away on October 25 in New York at the age of 91. His contributions to Haitian art have left an indelible mark. Meanwhile, Hurricane Melissa has wreaked havoc on Haiti’s agriculture, devastating banana plantations and flooding cornfields, prompting urgent monitoring by the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO. In other news, Ms. Frantzia Gilles was appointed Chief of Staff at the Ministry for the Status of Women, and Allenby Augustin received the 2025 HSA Award for his dedication to preserving Haitian cultural heritage.
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Religion : First Apostolic Exhortation of Pope Leo XIV
In the midst of Haiti’s ongoing turmoil, marked by violence, natural disasters, and systemic poverty, Pope Leo XIV’s first apostolic exhortation, *Dilexi te* (Latin for ‘I have loved you’), has emerged as a beacon of hope. The document, which emphasizes Christ’s love for the poor and calls for the Church’s renewed commitment to the marginalized, has resonated deeply with Haiti’s suffering population. Bishop Pierre-André Dumas, Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference of Haiti, who is currently recovering in the United States after an attack by criminal gangs, has described the exhortation as a ‘prophetic text’ that speaks directly to the pain and aspirations of the Haitian people. The exhortation, signed on October 4, 2025, and published on October 9, 2025, underscores the moral imperative to address poverty, which Bishop Dumas argues is not an inevitability but a consequence of human choices. The document also finds relevance in the lives of Haiti’s most vulnerable, including victims of gang violence, migrants, and families displaced by natural disasters. Despite the overwhelming challenges, Bishop Dumas remains hopeful, citing the solidarity and faith of Haiti’s communities as evidence of divine benevolence. *Dilexi te* has been hailed as a transformative message that could inspire Haiti’s path to recovery and renewal.
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Canada : High-level visit by the Gang Supression Force
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations, visited the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) headquarters in Haiti this week. Accompanied by André François Giroux, Canada’s Ambassador to Haiti, and a delegation of senior Canadian officials, Rae’s visit marked the highest-level UN diplomatic engagement with the GSF since its transition from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) on October 3, 2025. The GSF, led by Deputy Commander Colonel Eldon Morgan, welcomed the delegation and showcased its ongoing efforts to combat gang-related insecurity in the region. During his visit, Rae praised the GSF’s dedication and professionalism, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to supporting the Force’s transformative role in restoring stability. He emphasized Canada’s $60 million contribution, which includes funding for a Regional Maritime Security Initiative aimed at countering transnational organized crime across the Caribbean. Rae also called for patience and continued cooperation, expressing optimism about the deployment of additional GSF personnel by April 2026. As part of his itinerary, Rae met with female GSF personnel, highlighting their critical contributions, and inspected newly acquired helicopters that enhance the Force’s air mobility and logistical capabilities.
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FLASH : Melissa has become a Cat 4 hurricane
On October 26, 2025, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that Hurricane Melissa had escalated to a Category 4 storm, with maximum sustained winds reaching 220 km/h and a central pressure of 944 millibars. Located 487 km southwest of Port-au-Prince, the hurricane is projected to follow a slow westward trajectory before turning north and northeast by Monday and Tuesday. Its path is expected to impact Jamaica, southeastern Cuba, and the southeastern Bahamas by midweek. A hurricane warning has been issued for Haiti’s southwest peninsula, with the Sud and Grande Anse departments placed on red alert. Other regions, including South-East, Nippes, West, and the central plateau, remain on orange alert. Melissa is anticipated to bring torrential rainfall, with up to 35 inches (89 cm) in some areas, leading to catastrophic flash flooding, landslides, and severe infrastructure damage. Satellite imagery indicates rapid intensification, with hurricane-force winds extending 35 km from the center and tropical storm-force winds reaching 280 km. Swells generated by the storm are expected to create life-threatening surf and rip currents along the coasts of Hispaniola, Jamaica, eastern Cuba, and the Cayman Islands. Haitian authorities have suspended coastal shipping activities and urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid watercourses, and follow safety guidelines. The Departmental Directorate of Civil Protection emphasized the importance of safeguarding documents and assisting vulnerable individuals during this critical period.
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FLASH : Melissa has become a hurricane, 2 departments in the red, the human toll is rising (Video)
On October 25, 2025, Hurricane Melissa escalated to a Category 1 hurricane, with sustained winds of 120 km/h (75 mph). The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts rapid intensification, potentially reaching major hurricane status by Sunday. Moving at a sluggish pace of 2 km/h (1.2 mph), Melissa is expected to shift west-northwest or west over the weekend, with a northward turn forecasted for Monday and Tuesday. Experts warn of a possible Category 4 landfall over Jamaica by Tuesday, with wind gusts nearing 260 km/h (160 mph).
The South and Grande’Anse departments in Haiti are on red alert. A recent Civil Protection Service report highlights increasing casualties, including four deaths and 15 injuries, primarily due to a collapsed wall in Praville, Gonaïves. Flooding has affected multiple municipalities, with rivers like the Artibonite, Lociane, and Saint-Martin overflowing. Infrastructure damage includes blocked roads and destroyed bridges, exacerbating the crisis.
Electricity and telecommunications are severely disrupted, particularly in Saut-d’Eau and Savanette, where armed gangs and service outages have isolated communities. Over 450 homes are flooded, and 10 slums damaged, with roadblocks in Moron hindering access to five communes. Coastal communities face significant risks from cyclonic swells and strong winds.
Authorities have closed schools in high-risk areas and opened 342 shelters, accommodating 335 people in Les Cayes, Les Coteaux, and Île à Vache. The Ministry of Social Affairs and Civil Protection, supported by partners, are delivering emergency supplies to vulnerable populations. However, challenges persist, including degraded infrastructure, security issues, and limited resources.
Recommendations include maintaining public awareness, preparing shelters, initiating preventive evacuations, and considering school closures and event cancellations to mitigate risks.
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Hurricane Melissa : 2 departments on Red Alert
Haiti and Jamaica are bracing for the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, with the Haitian Hydrometeorological Unit (U.H.M) issuing a red alert for the South and Grand’Anse departments. This highest level of warning signifies imminent danger from heavy rainfall and powerful winds expected to persist through the weekend and into early next week. Meanwhile, the Nippes, West, and South-East departments remain on orange alert, indicating moderate but still significant risks.
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News : Zapping…
Haiti has been rocked by a series of significant events, ranging from a high-profile kidnapping to legal reforms and institutional modernization efforts. On October 22, 2025, Reverend Father Jean Julien Ladouceur, the parish priest of Sainte-Claire Parish in Petite Place Cazeau and National Director of the Episcopal Commission for Education (CEEC), was abducted in Delmas 31 alongside three colleagues: Serfise Guillaume Charlot, Johanne Marcellus, and Pierre Anddy Joseph. The kidnappers have reportedly contacted the archdiocese, though their demands remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, in Canada, the Federal Court has reopened the case of former Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who accused Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of imposing arbitrary sanctions in 2022 to manipulate Haiti’s political landscape in collaboration with Ariel Henry. On a more positive note, the Municipality of Cap-Haïtien has taken steps to modernize its fire and rescue services through the PHÉNIX Project, a collaborative initiative with the Directorate General for Civil Protection (DGPC), the French Development Agency (AFD), and Expertise France. Additionally, the National Education Fund (FNE) has issued a warning about the proliferation of fake social media accounts spreading false information, urging the public to remain vigilant. In other developments, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has streamlined its document legalization process, ensuring same-day service since October 1, 2025. Finally, the Haitian National Police has seen key appointments and promotions, including Jean Gardy Muscadin as Director of Strategic Planning and Frantz Lerebours as Training Coordinator and Director of Police Communications.
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Security : PNH meeting with a high-level Canadian delegation
This week, a high-level Canadian delegation, including Bob Rae, Canada’s Permanent Representative to the UN, and François André Giroux, Canada’s Ambassador to Haiti, met with Vladimir Paraison, Acting Director General of the Haitian National Police (PNH), and senior PNH officials. The discussions centered on Haiti’s ongoing security challenges and the progress of joint operations with the Kenyan-led Multinational Mission. Paraison emphasized the strides made through improved coordination but underscored the complexities of urban operations. Key challenges were identified, including chronic understaffing of the PNH, with fewer than one officer per 1,000 residents, the adaptability of gangs in densely populated areas, and the exploitation of poverty and deportees by criminal groups. The PNH also outlined its urgent needs, such as protective equipment, armored vehicles, and specialized training in counterinsurgency and crisis management. The Canadian delegation reaffirmed its steadfast support and expressed willingness to provide tailored assistance. Both parties agreed on the necessity of a robust operational partnership, international backing, and a comprehensive strategy that balances immediate security measures with long-term stabilization. Paraison expressed satisfaction with the dialogue and reiterated the PNH’s commitment to combating gangs despite resource constraints, emphasizing the dedication of Haitian police officers as citizens determined to protect their nation.
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Qatar 2025 World Cup : Final selection list for the U-17 Grenadiers
After months of rigorous training and dedication, Haitian coach Eddy César has finalized the 21-player squad that will represent Haiti at the U-17 World Cup in Qatar 2025. This selection marks a significant milestone for the young athletes, who have risen from humble beginnings to now carry the hopes of an entire nation on their shoulders. The team, known as the Grenadiers, comprises players from various academies across Haiti, Jamaica, the USA, Spain, and Switzerland, showcasing a blend of local talent and international exposure. The final roster includes three goalkeepers, seven defenders, six midfielders, and five attackers, each chosen for their exceptional skills and potential. The Grenadiers will face Egypt, England, and Venezuela in the group stage, with matches scheduled for November 4th, 7th, and 10th, 2025. This tournament not only offers a platform for these young players to shine but also serves as a beacon of hope for Haitian football, which has been striving to regain its former glory. The nation eagerly anticipates the team’s performance, as they aim to make history on the global stage.