In Jamaica, Hurricane Melissa Brought ‘ Unprecedented Devastation’ U.N. Official says

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Farnaz FassihiOctober 29, 2025 at 09:43 PM

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On October 29, 2025, Hurricane Melissa caused unprecedented devastation in Jamaica, affecting over one million people, a third of the population. Dennis Zulu, the United Nations resident coordinator for Jamaica, reported extensive damage to infrastructure, roads, and the electricity grid during a virtual briefing from Kingston, the capital city. The storm's impact was widespread across the country, with many roads destroyed or cut off, hindering initial assessments which relied on drones and satellite imagery. In response, the UN is planning aid efforts focusing on water and food distribution while coordinating with local officials for recovery support. Secretary-General António Guterres allocated $4 million each from emergency funds to Haiti and Cuba but did not specify funding for Jamaica.

Key Topics & Entities

António Guterres 60% Dennis Zulu ×270% United Nations ×480% Hurricane Melissa ×480% Jamaica ×690%

Keywords

hurricane melissa 100% unprecedented devastation 90% jamaica 80% united nations 75% infrastructure damage 60% population affected 60% emergency response 55% aid distribution 50% long recovery period 45% drones and satellite imagery 40%