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Hurricane Melissa, the most powerful storm of 2025, caused severe infrastructure damage, agricultural losses, and fatalities across the Caribbean, affecting over 1,800,000 people. In the Dominican Republic, heavy rains and flooding affected more than 60,000 people.
UNHCR activated its emergency hotlines and strengthened communication with community leaders, particularly in bateyes with a significant presence of persons under the Agency’s mandate. They indicated that evacuations were challenging due to flooding and concerns about possible detention. The floods disrupted school attendance and access to primary health care. Older persons living alone and persons with disabilities faced heightened protection risks. Priority needs included food, drinking water, shelter, and psychosocial support.