UN warns Haiti is unprepared for dangerous hurricane season

The United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has raised urgent concerns over Haiti’s lack of resources and preparedness as it enters what is expected to be an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season. In a statement released Wednesday, OCHA warned that Haiti has record-low levels of contingency supplies and no prepositioned stockpiles or emergency funding to respond to a major climate event.

This alarming scenario comes as 96% of Haiti’s population remains highly vulnerable to extreme weather, and over 5.7 million people are already suffering from severe food insecurity. The hurricane season also coincides with escalating humanitarian needs, including the displacement of 1.3 million people—more than half of them children—due to ongoing armed violence. Around 230,000 of the displaced are living in precarious, makeshift shelters especially vulnerable to storms.

UN Humanitarian Coordinator Ulrika Richardson expressed deep concern, emphasizing that Haiti’s most vulnerable may be left without aid when it’s needed most. She urged for immediate and coordinated international support, warning that without additional resources, humanitarian efforts will fall short in delivering vital, dignified assistance.