Red Cross Movement working tirelessly in Caribbean after Hurricane Melissa causes catastrophic damage

American Red Cross deploying international responders, coordinating with Red Cross network

More than a week after Hurricane Melissa unleashed catastrophic devastation in the Caribbean, the humanitarian response continues. From the coast of Jamaica to the eastern mountains of Cuba, the global Red Cross network is working around the clock to help the hundreds of thousands of people impacted by the deadly storm.

For the people who lived through Hurricane Melissa, it was a storm like no other they had ever experienced. From day one, Jamaica and Cuban Red Cross teams have been working tirelessly on both islands. Some of these volunteers have seen their own homes destroyed, yet they continue to support those in need.

JAMAICA The damage in Jamaica is devastating. Melissa collapsed roads, flooded bridges, destroyed buildings, and wiped out fishing areas and crops across the island. Thousands are still without power, and telecommunications remain unstable. People can't get fuel and there is a risk of a food crisis developing with acres of farmland destroyed and markets closed. New hazards are emerging such as sinkholes and homes originally unaffected now being found underwater.

"The devastation we've witnessed on the ground is on a scale we have never seen before - entire communities battered, lives uprooted, and livelihoods washed away," said Yvonne Clarke, Director General of the Jamaica Red Cross. "Damage to housing and infrastructure is extensive and thousands have limited access to food and water."

The Jamaica Red Cross and IFRC are coordinating with partners to ensure humanitarian aid reaches communities most in need. Transportation via roads is difficult. Clearance work is ongoing to make the roads more accessible, and agencies are trying to establish helicopter landing pads to enable aid drops.

The first 160 tons of humanitarian aid has arrived to support communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, including shelter tool kits, cleaning kits, kitchen sets, hygiene parcels, jerrycans, buckets, and blankets. The Jamaica Red Cross has mobilized 400 volunteers who are assessing damage, distributing relief supplies and managing and supporting shelters across the island.

CUBA In Cuba, strong winds and heavy rainfall caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, interrupting basic services. It is estimated that 2.2 million people have been severely affected.

"We were not able to arrive in Santiago because the road is blocked," said Nicolás Segura, IFRC's Disaster Response Coordinator for the Latin Caribbean. "We were able to see a lot of damage, a lot of devastation, a lot of people trying to get to their houses, trying to recover everything."

In Cuba, specialized brigades have supported evacuations, rescued over 500 people, and provided psychosocial support to families in crisis. The Cuban Red Cross has over 35,000 volunteers active across the country, highly trained in relief, search and rescue, disaster response and risk reduction. The first 20 tons of relief supplies shipped by the IFRC have arrived in Cuba. The shipment included kitchen, hygiene, and bedding kits, blankets, mosquito nets, solar lamps, shelter tools kits, and plastic sheeting, which the Cuban Red Cross will distribute in the hardest hit areas.

GLOBAL SUPPORT The American Red Cross has deployed several trained international responders, part of the International Disaster Response Team, to support processes including cash assistance, communications, relief response, planning and monitoring, and is working with the IFRC to mobilize additional support as needed in the coming days and weeks.

Experienced American Red Cross international disaster responders are ready to deploy within 24 hours of a disaster to support the national Red Cross or Red Crescent society. The role of the American Red Cross in responding to international crises differs from its domestic disaster responses. Even if a large disaster occurs, most Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in other countries have their own employees and volunteers who are trained and prepared to respond to manage disaster operations. If additional support is requested by a Red Cross or Red Crescent society in another country, the American Red Cross can tap into our cadre of disaster specialists, who are specially trained to manage and participate in international emergency operations.

Red Cross teams are fielding Restoring Family Links (RFL) inquiries for Jamaica and Cuba and are coordinating any requests with International Services and the corresponding national societies. The RFL program helps families separated by international crises such as conflict, disaster or migration.

HELP FINDING LOVES ONES If you've lost contact with a relative due to a humanitarian emergency and meet certain criteria, the Red Cross may be able to help. To begin this process, call our helpline at 1-844-782-9441, or contact your local Red Cross chapter and ask for our Restoring Family Links program.

After a disaster, communities could be affected by widespread power outages and limited internet connectivity which can make it difficult to reach people. If you are looking for someone, we recommend: