Red Cross Launches Multi-Island Hurricane Melissa Emergency Appeal

Hurricane Melissa, a devastating Category 5 storm with sustained winds reaching nearly 300 km/h, has caused catastrophic damage across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and other Caribbean islands. The storm has flattened homes, crippled infrastructure, caused widespread power outages, and displaced hundreds of thousands of people, with reported deaths and ongoing risks of flooding and landslides. Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness declared a disaster area as the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations have launched emergency appeals to provide urgent aid including shelter, food, clean water, medical care, and psychosocial support. Various national Red Cross societies, including those in Belize, Bermuda, and New Zealand, have mobilized volunteers and called for donations to support relief efforts and long-term recovery. Authorities and aid groups warn of continued threats as the storm moves through the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos Islands. Prominent figures such as Bermuda's Governor Andrew Murdoch and government officials emphasize the importance of community and international support to address the scale of the disaster.