As Hurricane Melissa roars across the Caribbean, the Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) has called on the faithful to unite in prayer and compassion for those in harm’s way. The devastating Category 5 storm, expected to make landfall on Tuesday, has already forced massive evacuations and emergency preparations across Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Archbishop Charles Jason Gordon of Port of Spain, who serves as AEC President, urged all Catholics in the region to lift their hearts in intercession. “We especially hold in our hearts the people of the Archdiocese of Kingston and the Dioceses of Mandeville and Montego Bay,” he said. “May the Lord protect them and all communities in the hurricane’s path from harm.”
The AEC reminded the faithful of its July pastoral letter, “In the Eye of the Hurricane: Living the Rhythm of Natural Disasters in the Caribbean with Faith, Solidarity, and Hope,” which encouraged communities to meet recurring natural crises with renewed faith and stewardship of creation. Archbishop Gordon cited the same message, saying, “Our shared vulnerability calls us to deeper faith, solidarity, and stewardship. Let us live that call now—supporting one another through prayer, compassion, and generosity.”
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned that over 1.6 million children are in danger as the storm continues its slow and destructive path through the Caribbean. The agency noted that small island nations remain particularly vulnerable to climate emergencies and urged swift action to reduce loss of life.
UNICEF’s regional director, Roberto Benes, emphasized the importance of preparation: “Every effort to prepare is vital to mitigate damage and loss of life. Strengthening national capacity to respond to emergencies is fundamental to protecting children and families.”
Over the past decade, an estimated 11 million people in Latin America and the Caribbean—nearly 4 million of them children—have been affected annually by natural and human-made disasters. UNICEF continues to work with local authorities to provide supplies, deliver early warning messages, and ensure protection for the most vulnerable.
Despite the storm’s growing threat, church leaders and humanitarian agencies are urging Caribbean citizens not to lose hope. The AEC’s message echoes through parish halls and prayer circles across the islands: faith and solidarity must remain the region’s strongest shield in the face of disaster.
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