Humanitarian Country Team in Haiti raises alarm over limited resources as hurricane season begins

Port-au-Prince, 18 June 2025 – As Haiti braces for the Atlantic hurricane season, which will continue through 30 November, the Humanitarian Country Team is sounding the alarm to highlight a critical shortage of resources needed to respond effectively to potential climate events. The warning stems from insufficient levels of pre-positioned contingency supplies and a severe lack of available funding.

Haiti remains one of the countries most exposed to extreme weather events, with 96 per cent of its population vulnerable to such shocks. In 2024, although the country avoided direct impact from hurricanes, torrential rains affected more than 300,000 people, resulted in 26 deaths and damaged more than 40,000 homes.

Forecasts indicate an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year, with 12 to 19 tropical storms and 3 to 5 major hurricanes expected. The season coincides with a period of acute humanitarian need in Haiti. Escalating armed violence has displaced 1.3 million people, more than half of whom are children. Approximately 230,000 people currently reside in makeshift displacement sites, most of which offer minimal protection from adverse weather conditions.

With support from national and international partners, humanitarian actors have pre-positioned limited stocks of essential items, including water purification and hygiene kits, tarpaulins, blankets, trauma and health kits—such as those for reproductive health—nutritional supplies, and minimum HIV response materials for prevention and treatment. Planned anticipatory cash transfers will also aim to support vulnerable households in mitigating the impact of an approaching hurricane.

Despite these preparations, contingency stocks remain at their lowest levels ever recorded for a hurricane season of such high risk. For the first time, Haiti begins the season without pre-positioned food supplies or the financial resources necessary to initiate a rapid response. This situation is especially concerning as 5.7 million people—more than half the population—are currently experiencing severe food insecurity.

“I am deeply concerned for communities, families, and vulnerable groups who have already been affected by violence and are living in precarious conditions,” said Ulrika Richardson, Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti. “Without immediate support, they might not receive the assistance they need during the critical early hours of an emergency. Their protection relies on our collective capacity to respond swiftly and in a coordinated manner.”

The humanitarian situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate as a result of mounting insecurity and the near collapse of essential services. As of mid-June, the Humanitarian Response Plan for Haiti—requiring US$908 million—remains only 8 per cent funded.

“The humanitarian community stands firmly with the Haitian people,” Richardson added. “However, without a significant increase in resources, our ability to deliver timely and dignified assistance will remain limited. I urge the Government and our partners to act decisively, in a coordinated and united manner, to ensure we are ready to support the most vulnerable in facing the likelihood of a climate-related emergency.”

For more information, please contact:
Nabil Chemli, Deputy Head of Office, OCHA Haïti,
Port-au-Prince chemli@un.org