PAHO scales up its emergency health response across the Caribbean following Hurricane Melissa – PAHO/WHO

November 7, 2025 (PAHO/WHO) — In response to Hurricane Melissa, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) immediately activated its health emergency response and coordination mechanisms and continues to work closely with Caribbean health authorities to address the widespread health impacts of the storm. The deployment of specialized experts from PAHO’s regional response teams and the delivery of more than 13 tons of essential medical supplies are helping to restore critical health services and prevent potential disease outbreaks.

Restoration of health services in Jamaica

Jamaica, the country hardest hit by Hurricane Melissa, reported severe damage to five major hospitals and widespread destruction to health facilities in the western and southern regions.

In response to the destruction of the Black River Hospital in St. Elizabeth, PAHO, in coordination with the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), has supported the deployment of a Type 2 Emergency Medical Team (EMT) from the humanitarian NGO Samaritan’s Purse, to establish a temporary hospital. The EMT is now operational and providing critical health services to the affected population.

A second Type 2 EMT from the Spanish Cooperation Agency (AECID) has also been deployed, in coordination with PAHO. This EMT now operates a temporary field hospital located next to Falmouth Public Hospital, Trelawny, in the northwest of the country.

In addition, a dozen PAHO specialists in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) and health services have been mobilized. Structural engineers have been deployed to conduct post-disaster assessments and support operational planning, including assessments at Cornwall Regional Hospital and other key facilities.

In coordination with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, PAHO is leading actions within the health cluster, the group of humanitarian health partners who work together in humanitarian emergencies. Currently, PAHO and its partners are evaluating shelters that house displaced populations to implement interventions related to environmental health, epidemiological surveillance, risk communication and community participation, vector control, and water and sanitation. These activities aim to prevent outbreaks, strengthen community participation, and ensure safe living conditions for displaced people.

Amid the destruction, the Santa Cruz Health Center, in the southwest of the country, remains fully operational and undamaged. Modernized to smart hospital gold standards under PAHO’s Smart Hospitals initiative and delivered to the Ministry of Health and Welfare in January 2024, the center’s performance during the hurricane highlights the value of investing in resilient, disaster-prepared health infrastructure.

Despite these efforts, urgent needs remain. To sustain life-saving health operations and accelerate recovery, PAHO has launched an urgent donor appeal for Jamaica, requesting US$14.2 million to rehabilitate damaged facilities, maintain emergency medical deployments and prevent disease outbreaks.

Assessment of the conditions of displaced people in Haiti

In Haiti, PAHO is working together with national and international partners to assess the conditions of internally displaced persons (IDPs), many of whom were already living in shelters before the hurricane, and to disseminate cholera prevention messages to raise awareness and reduce the risks of transmission.

PAHO/WHO had previously placed emergency kits in Haiti to help more than 11,000 people before the start of the hurricane season. In addition, on November 6, a shipment of 5.5 tons from the PAHO Strategic Reserve in Panama was delivered through a ECHO-funded flight managed by the UN Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) and supported by the World Food Program (WFP). The shipment included an inter-agency emergency kit and a non-communicable disease kit to help 10,000 people with medical supplies for three months, a hurricane kit to help 3,000 people for 30 days, 34 medical emergency backpacks, personal protective equipment and mosquito nets.

In the Grand’Anse department, displaced families face urgent needs for tents and hygiene kits to ensure safe and dignified housing conditions. Children in these shelters need specific psychosocial support to help them cope with the trauma of displacement and loss.

In coordination with local health authorities, PAHO is supporting field epidemiologists deployed in the affected departments to carry out early warning and epidemiological surveillance and guarantee that samples reach the National Public Health Laboratory.

Delivery of essential supplies to Cuba

In Cuba, PAHO/WHO is preparing a second shipment of emergency supplies that includes electrical generators (10-16 KVA), mosquito nets and fumigation equipment and is scheduled to arrive next week. These supplies are essential to control the expected increase in mosquito populations following the floods and to restore power to health care facilities, an issue that was already straining health systems before the storm.

At the same time, PAHO has provided technical assistance to help Cuba analyze the epidemiological situation and identify response priorities, including clinical management, vector control, epidemiology, and laboratory support.

Surveillance and risk mitigation throughout the region

While PAHO’s initial appeal to donors focuses specifically on Jamaica, urgent and multifaceted needs remain in all affected Caribbean countries. Beyond the recovery of health infrastructure, the organization is calling on partners and donors to support disease surveillance, mental health support, and preventive measures to reduce the risks of water-, food-, and vector-borne diseases, particularly among people living in temporary shelters.

PAHO continues to work hand in hand with governments and humanitarian partners to ensure that affected communities receive the care and support they need. Sustained donor engagement remains essential to meet these pressing health needs, support recovery efforts, and build resilience to future emergencies.