Hurricane Melissa over the Caribbean on 27 October 2025, captured by CIRA. The storm has intensified to Category 5 strength with winds up to 260 km/h.
1.6 million children in the path of hurricane Melissa
Hurricane Melissa is moving slowly through the Caribbean – bringing violent winds, torrential rains, and life-threatening flooding. At least 1.6 million children are now at risk.
Families in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic are facing days of intense weather that could destroy homes, contaminate water, and cut off essential services.
UNICEF is on the ground, standing by to protect children in danger – but we urgently need your help to reach those most at risk.
DONATE NOW
UNICEF teams unload emergency supplies in Haiti from the regional warehouse in Panama.
UNICEF’s rapid response
UNICEF and partners are racing to protect children across the Caribbean.
We are delivering hygiene kits, clean water, and medical supplies to families in need, while pre-positioning tents, water purifiers, and containers in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba.
Emergency cash transfers are already reaching 8,000 families in Haiti and 10,000 children and families in Jamaica.
Our Health, Nutrition, Education, and Child Protection teams are on the ground, working to keep children safe.
Even before the hurricane makes landfall, UNICEF is taking anticipatory action – stocking nutrition supplies in health facilities and activating UN emergency coordination to reach as many children as possible.
How your donation help UNICEF save children
In the Caribbean, small islands face growing vulnerability to extreme weather events. Every donation helps UNICEF act faster – delivering critical aid within hours, not days.
Your gift today can help provide safe water and hygiene supplies to prevent disease, keep children healthy and nourished during the crisis and support families who have lost everything to rebuild and recover.
UNICEF has worked for nearly 80 years to protect children wherever the need is greatest – and we won’t stop now.
Please give what you can today to help children survive Hurricane Melissa and recover from its devastation.
Other Ways to Donate
You can make a donation by phone by calling 01 878 3000, from Monday to Friday between 9:00 – 5:30pm.
You can send your donation by post to Freepost; UNICEF Ireland, 33 Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin D01 R283.
In the unlikely event that the funds raised exceed UNICEF’s funding requirements for this appeal, your donation will be directed to where the need is greatest.