Hurricane Melissa: MSF prepares to deploy emergency teams

On Tuesday 28 October 2025, Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica causing devastating flooding and widespread destruction. The hurricane then swept across Cuba on Wednesday 29 October and is now affecting Haiti and other countries in the region. 

Brice de la Vigne, head of Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) emergency unit, says:

“We express our deep regret at the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by Hurricane Melissa, and our solidarity with everyone who has been affected.

The airport in Jamaica is currently closed, but MSF is preparing to send emergency teams specialising in healthcare, logistics and water and sanitation to respond. We are also preparing supplies to be sent once the airport reopens, so that we can provide people with general healthcare and essential items such as medical kits, non-food items such as soap and blankets, and critical materials for the provision of safe water, depending on the needs we identify.

The hurricane has also caused some flooding and damage in Haiti, where MSF is running medical activities. Although our teams have not witnessed significant needs caused by the hurricane, in Port-au-Prince our main concern is the possibility of more heavy rain.

Our teams are preparing contingency measures, such as securing equipment and medicines for our existing projects in the event of flooding. We remain ready to respond in other parts of the country if needed.

MSF teams are in touch with people in the affected countries to understand their most pressing needs.

Although we aren't present in some of the affected countries, we know from our more than 50 years’ experience responding to emergencies that people will have immediate needs for food and shelter. They will also have medical needs.

Disasters can hinder people's access to essential medicines, and this disaster will highlight people’s need for mental health care. It is also critical that people are able to access clean water to prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases.”

MSF continues to assess the impact of this disaster on communities in other countries in the region.