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One Month On: Caribbean Still Reels from 'Storm of the Century'
29 Nov
Summary
- Hurricane Melissa caused $10bn damage, impacting over six million people.
- Cuba faces severe fuel, power, and water shortages post-hurricane.
- Diseases like chikungunya, zika, and dengue are rampant in affected areas.
The Caribbean continues to struggle one month after Hurricane Melissa, the "storm of the century," devastated the region. This record-breaking category 5 storm resulted in at least 106 deaths and inflicted over $10 billion in damage, impacting an estimated six million people. The aftermath has left millions displaced, with significant infrastructure damage and a critical lack of basic necessities.
In Cuba, severe shortages of fuel, electricity, and potable water persist, severely impacting daily life and hindering food preservation. The lack of resources has exacerbated health crises, with a daily surge in chikungunya cases and outbreaks of zika and dengue. Agencies are working to reach those in need, but the scale of the crisis overwhelms current aid efforts.
Similar devastation is reported in Jamaica and Haiti, where reconstruction is projected to take over a decade. Beyond the physical destruction, the hurricane triggered severe public health emergencies, including leptospirosis and tetanus outbreaks. Despite the resilience of the affected communities, substantial international support remains crucial for long-term recovery and restoring dignity to the survivors.
