World Vision mobilizes relief as Hurricane Melissa devastates communities in the Caribbean

November 28 update

Hurricane Melissa has affected more than 254,000 people in Haiti. The storm caused severe flooding and damaged homes and buildings, especially in the South. More than 52,000 homes are damaged or destroyed. National authorities and humanitarian partners are leading the response. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is one of the key partners. They are working to provide urgent shelter and other non-food items to people already living in very fragile conditions.

Emergency relief supplies have arrived at the port of Miragoane. These include 500 hygiene kits, 500 kitchen kits, 500 shelter kits and 500 bedding kits. The World Food Programme (WFP) is storing these items. Another 500 sets of kits are on the way. Rapid response teams have begun distributions in Nippes. So far, 259 households have received non-food items. In total, 2,300 households will receive support in Nippes and in the South.

Messages about child protection, gender-based violence and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are airing on local radio in the affected areas. These messages are reaching 30,000 people.

Inter-agency coordination:

• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is working with World Vision on joint plans. This helps avoid duplication, especially in relief distributions and how communities are selected. CRS will also help distribute 500 kits in the South.
• The World Food Programme (WFP) is giving vital support with storage and transport. This helps relief items reach hard-to-access communities more quickly.
• Cluster participation: World Vision is an active member of the local cluster. We help coordinate the response and share information.

World Vision Haiti is working with government authorities and other humanitarian partners to monitor the situation and respond where the need is greatest. We are committed to protecting children and families. We are also helping to restore livelihoods. Our goal is to make sure communities receive the support they need to recover and rebuild.

November 5 update

Hurricane Melissa has caused widespread devastation across Haiti, with 40 people confirmed dead and 13 missing across seven departments. Intense rainfall—up to 400 mm—triggered severe flooding, landslides, and coastal surges that damaged homes, infrastructure, and farmland, particularly in the Grand Sud. Thousands of families remain displaced, and access to affected communities is restricted due to fuel shortages and blocked roads.

World Vision Haiti is shipping emergency relief materials by boat to overcome damaged road access. The response includes 1,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 kitchen kits, and 1,000 shelter kits for families in the hardest-hit areas. In partnership with the Civil Protection Directorate, three communes— Baradères, Petit Trou, and Anse-à-Veau —have been prioritized to reach 10,000 beneficiaries. Rapid response teams are on the ground conducting assessments, coordinating logistics, and supporting children and families in need.

Working alongside inter-agencies and government partners, World Vision Haiti continues to strengthen coordination, ensuring aid reaches the most vulnerable. Data gathered by local volunteers is guiding relief efforts and long-term recovery planning to help communities rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.

Read more: Discover how families are finding hope amid loss in “We lost everything, but we are still alive.”

November 3 Update

As Hurricane Melissa’s aftermath unfolds, families across the Caribbean face severe hardship. The storm’s catastrophic winds and rains damaged homes, crops and infrastructure from Jamaica to Cuba, with Haiti and the Dominican Republic among the worst affected.

In Haiti, rivers overflowing and flash floods have worsened existing crises of displacement and food insecurity. More than 350 shelters are active, and World Vision Haiti is delivering hygiene, kitchen and shelter kits to 4,000 households while mobilizing teams for child-protection and cholera-prevention efforts.

Across the border, World Vision Dominican Republic has launched a Category 1 Emergency Response. Working with civil protection agencies and local partners, the organization will assist 151,149 people—including 114,161 children—affected by floods in San Cristóbal, Santo Domingo, and Monte Plata provinces. Urgent needs include food, clean water, education support and safe spaces for children.

October 30 update

As Hurricane Melissa strengthens into a Category 5 storm, World Vision Haiti is rapidly scaling up its emergency response to protect vulnerable children and families across the country.

The devastation is growing. At least 23 people have died following widespread flooding and landslides — 20 after a riverbank burst and three in Port-au-Prince. Overflowing rivers have damaged homes, roads, and critical infrastructure in multiple departments. Heavy rains and strong winds have destroyed 15 hectares of maize, putting thousands of agricultural livelihoods at risk.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), unstable weather conditions are expected to persist, with intense rainfall, flooding, and landslides likely in coastal and mountainous areas.

Background and context

• On October 25, the Government of Haiti raised the alert level to red for Grand’Anse and Sud departments — the highest level of warning. South-East, Nippes, and West remain on orange alert, with authorities urging communities to follow official guidance and avoid high-risk areas.
• In the South, 124 households living in precarious areas in Les Cayes, Île-à-Vache, and Coteaux relocated to emergency shelters. Schools across the Grand South have suspended classes due to severe weather and their use as temporary shelters.
• More than 1.4 million people in affected departments are already in Crisis (IPC Phase 3), and 350,000 in Emergency (IPC Phase 4). Without urgent intervention, the storm could deepen existing food insecurity and push more families into vulnerability.

Actions World Vision is taking to be ready

• Incident Management Team activated: World Vision Haiti’s national and regional teams remain fully mobilized, coordinating with the Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC) and regional humanitarian partners across Latin America and the Caribbean.
• Emergency relief distributions underway: To overcome blocked roads, supplies are being shipped by boat to reach isolated areas. World Vision Haiti is distributing 1,000 hygiene kits, 1,000 kitchen kits and 1,000 shelter kits, prioritizing families in Baradères, Petit Trou and Anse-à-Veau.
• Prepositioned relief supplies: Relief items are ready to support 4,000 households, with an additional USD 200,000 required to sustain operations and replenish stock.
• Rapid response teams on standby: Field teams and volunteers are mobilized for cholera prevention, child protection and community outreach as conditions allow.
• Immediate funding released: USD 200,000 allocated from the National Emergency Preparedness and Response Fund (NEPRF) to meet urgent needs.
• Focus on recovery: In the coming weeks, World Vision will work alongside communities to restore livelihoods, rebuild homes and strengthen long-term resilience.

Your support today can help families in Haiti and the Caribbean recover and rebuild after Hurricane Melissa. Click here to help now →