Hurricane Melissa has exploded into a rare Category 5 storm with 175 mph winds. The National Hurricane Center warns this could be the strongest hurricane to directly strike Jamaica in recorded history, and the strongest storm to hit Earth this year.
Hugh Aprile, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, says:
"We are deeply concerned for vulnerable communities already impacted. We are prepared to support immediate needs, prioritizing clean water and emergency cash for families who may lose homes or livelihoods. Mercy Corps has invested in local preparedness because we know that when communities lead, both response and recovery happen faster and more equitably.”
Your support not only enables us to save lives, but also:
-Deploy resources immediately as disasters unfold
-Adapt quickly as needs evolve on the ground
-Invest in both immediate relief and long-term resilience
The coming days and weeks will be critical for communities in Hurricane Melissa's path.
Since 2016, Mercy Corps has been a leader in delivering preparedness, emergency response, and climate adaptation programming in the Caribbean. Our Resilience Hubs are ready to activate as Melissa strikes, and more than 40,000 people in Haiti have already benefited from our disaster readiness training.
Your gift ensures that Mercy Corps can respond with exactly what communities need most, when they need it most—in the Caribbean and wherever crisis strikes.
