Hurricane Melissa Devastates Jamaica, Over 700,000 Children Need Urgent Aid

Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica as a catastrophic Category 5 storm, causing extensive damage including blocked roads, flooding, and destruction of homes, particularly in the coastal town of Black River, which has been described as 'hell on Earth.' The hurricane caused at least 32 deaths across the Caribbean, with severe impacts on children who urgently need food, clean water, sanitation, and access to health and education services, prompting UNICEF to initiate emergency aid efforts and request additional funding. In Jamaica, emergency shelters have seen a decline in occupancy as many residents return home, though shelters remain open in severely affected parishes, and relief operations continue to distribute essential supplies. The devastation has overwhelmed local infrastructure, with relief supplies and emergency vehicles also destroyed, complicating recovery efforts and leaving many communities isolated. U.S. search and rescue teams are en route to assist, and the total economic damage is estimated at $22 billion, with rebuilding expected to take years. Authorities emphasize the ongoing challenges of communication and misinformation, while prioritizing the delivery of aid and restoration of services to the hardest-hit areas.