Red Cross Movement responds in Caribbean as powerful Hurricane Melissa barrels toward the islands

American Red Cross supports U.S. Navy efforts to relocate
people from military installations located in Melissa’s path
 

WASHINGTON, October 27, 2025 — As Hurricane Melissa barrels toward multiple Caribbean islands as a powerful Category 5 storm, the American Red Cross is supporting efforts by the U.S. Navy to relocate people from military installations located in the storm’s path. Meanwhile, Red Cross Societies across the islands are mobilizing to support people as this devastating hurricane approaches.

Over the weekend, American Red Cross volunteers at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida greeted and assisted the planeloads of people being relocated by the Navy. In one instance, the mother of a newborn infant discovered she had left some important items behind for her new baby. Red Cross workers found a store open at 2:00 a.m. and were able to purchase the supplies for her.

MELISSA HEADS TO THE ISLANDS Over the next few days, the hurricane threatens hundreds of thousands of people as it brings devastating 175 mph winds and as much as 30 inches of rain to the central Caribbean. Melissa will release its fury on Jamaica today as what some experts say may be the worst hurricane to ever hit the island. The massive storm will also impact Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

As Melissa threatens, the Red Cross societies on the islands and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) are fully operational, working together to respond across the potentially affected countries. The American Red Cross is closely coordinating with the IFRC to understand how Hurricane Melissa is affecting the islands and where we can support in the coming days and weeks.

JAMAICA: As many as 165,000 people are potentially at risk. The Jamaican Red Cross is mobilizing volunteers and relief supplies to help those impacted by the hurricane. Hundreds of shelters have been set up to provide a safe place to stay for the most vulnerable groups from at-risk areas,. with a significant proportion being women and children. Shelter kits, hygiene kits, cleaning kits, tarps, drinking water and other essential items have been pre-positioned and trained volunteers deployed.

HISPANIOLA AND CUBA: In Haiti, the IFRC and Haitian Red Cross are coordinating response plans in view of possible heavy rains and strong winds. The Red Cross Jérémie Emergency Operations Centre is active, and disaster teams are coordinating preparedness measures with local authorities. Volunteers are disseminating preventive messages to help families protect themselves in the event of an impact.

Red Cross volunteers in the Dominican Republic have carried out rescues and preventive evacuations in flood-affected communities and helped to evacuate and transfer patients to safer medical centers. Humanitarian relief items are pre-positioned in IFRC’s Humanitarian Warehouse in Santo Domingo, and the Dominican Red Cross has dispatched supplies to the southern part of the country, which is projected to be more affected.

The Cuban Red Cross is helping with preventive evacuations in Cuba, offering psychosocial support, and helping families get back in touch with each other. All branches across the country are activated and on alert, coordinating with the National Civil Defense System to ensure preparedness measures are in place ahead of a possible impact from the storm.

Visit here to learn more about the Red Cross response to Hurricane Melissa.

HELP FINDING LOVES ONES The American Red Cross Restoring Family Links program helps reconnect families separated by international crises, such as conflict, disaster or migration. If you’ve lost contact with a relative due to a humanitarian emergency and meet certain criteria, the Red Cross may be able to help. To begin this process, call our helpline at 1-844-782-9441, or contact your local Red Cross chapter and ask for our Restoring Family Links program.