ReliefWeb

Hurricane Matthew, the strongest Atlantic storm in nearly a decade, drenched Colombia’s coast Saturday before charting a northward course that threatens several Caribbean nations.

With the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami clocking winds as high as 160 mph and forecasters warning of heavy rain, Matthew could prove devastating as it makes landfall Monday in eastern Jamaica and southwestern Haiti.

A Hurricane of Matthew’s intensity presents several risks. Storm surges and sustained rainfall can cause deadly flooding and mudslides, while hurricane-force winds can damage shelters and critical infrastructure, causing power outages and cutting communications. Cuba, the Bahamas, and Miami also fall within Matthew’s projected path, though landfall would occur in the days following.

Direct Relief’s Response

Direct Relief is in regular contact with local partners and health officials throughout the Caribbean, having delivered more than $100 million in essential medicines and supplies to the region in 2016. This includes the strategic pre-positioning of emergency medical modules with healthcare facilities in regions of extreme hurricane risk.

Three of these modules are stationed with partners in Jamaica and Haiti in Matthew’s projected path.