“As a result of the relentless flooding in the Caribbean, hundreds of thousands of children have seen their lives turned upside down… they urgently need food, safe drinking water, basic sanitation, access to health and nutrition services, and a pathway back to education,” warned UNICEF’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Roberto Benes.
Hurricane Melissa has caused at least 32 deaths in the Caribbean, with 23 victims in Haiti, four in Jamaica, four in Panama, and one in the Dominican Republic, leaving a trail of destruction that also affected Cuba. In a statement, UNICEF noted that the storm has left families displaced and caused severe damage to infrastructure, crops, and health and education services.
UNICEF also indicated that the distribution of essential supplies for children has already begun. The organization acknowledged that many of the most affected communities are “extremely difficult to reach” due to damage to infrastructure and ongoing flooding.
For Jamaica, UNICEF has sent “one million dollars (approximately 864 million euros) to support immediate emergency response.” The Jamaican government and defense forces are currently verifying reports of deaths caused by Hurricane Melissa, which has left entire communities isolated and devastated.
In Cuba, children will receive nearly 2,000 kits, which include school materials and play activities. Of these kits, 1,300 are for the hygiene of minors, and 1,900 roofing tiles, 5,000 meters of tarps (for shelter and repairs), and two portable water treatment stations will also be distributed.
In Haiti, 2,900 hygiene and first aid kits are being distributed to meet the needs of 20,000 people. In the Dominican Republic, the organization is distributing 750 hygiene kits, ensuring adequate sanitation conditions for children in the most affected communities.
“To sustain the response, UNICEF is requesting 46.5 million dollars (about 40 million euros) to provide initial life-saving interventions for over 380,000 children and their families,” concluded the statement.
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