#USA #Little Rock #Heifer International #Hurricane Melissa #farmer resilience

Heifer International Urges Global Action After Hurricane Melissa

In light of the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Heifer International has issued a critical and urgent call for global efforts aimed at strengthening farmer-led resilience, particularly for the smallholder farmers in Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba, and beyond—areas that were severely impacted by the hurricane. The organization stresses that these farmers are not only the backbone of local economies but also vital to the sustainability of global food systems.

Hurricane Melissa ravaged the region with relentless rains and destructive floods, prompting a reevaluation of how vulnerable communities can be better supported in the face of such natural disasters. As leaders prepare for COP30 in Brazil, Heifer emphasizes the immediacy of actions needed to fortify community resilience, which has become crucial for the livelihoods of rural families.

Hervil Cherubin, Senior Country Director for Haiti at Heifer International, remarked, “Hurricane Melissa has highlighted that environmental shifts are no longer distant threats—they are current and pressing matters affecting rural families daily.” This sentiment resonates with millions who are relying on the resilience of agricultural systems that have been tested by nature's fury.

In Haiti specifically, the ramifications of the hurricane were devastating. Smallholder farmers, who constitute nearly 70% of the country’s food producers, are facing significant hurdles, including rampant deforestation, soil erosion, and increasingly frequent storms. The hurricane's impact has destroyed vital crops, drowned livestock, and obliterated seed stocks, placing numerous families in dire risk of acute food insecurity. Reports from Haiti's Civil Protection Directorate indicate that this Category 5 hurricane, even after decreasing in intensity, resulted in severe flooding and widespread devastation.

The destruction was notably tragic in Petit-Goâve, where intense rains and landslides claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals and demolished crops and livestock, underscoring the precarious nature of rural existence in light of climate volatility.

In response to this crisis, Heifer International is collaborating with local authorities and partners to assess urgent needs and coordinate disaster relief efforts. Their immediate priorities include providing shelter, food assistance, clean water, hygiene kits, agricultural tools, and targeted financial aid to the affected communities.

Oscar Castañeda, Senior Vice-President of the Americas at Heifer International, emphasized that the affected communities are not merely enduring the hardships; they are actively participating in the solutions required for sustainability. He stated, “Investing in their resilience isn't just a moral duty but a strategic necessity for the global community.”

Heifer International argues for a paradigm shift where resilience becomes a fundamental priority in global disaster response frameworks—not just for rebuilding after calamities but for proactively reducing vulnerabilities and breaking the cycles of loss and recovery.

The strategies underway in Haiti and throughout the Americas focus on diverse areas:

• - Implementing regenerative and climate-smart agricultural practices to rehabilitate degraded soils and enhance ecosystem services.
• - Promoting livelihood diversification through farmer cooperatives and enhancing value chains to bolster rural economies.
• - Elevating women’s leadership and fostering youth innovation as pivotal elements for resilient and inclusive growth.
• - Establishing community-driven preparedness initiatives and early warning systems that incorporate local insights with scientific predictability.

As the global community gears up for COP30, Heifer International is appealing to policymakers, financial donors, and the private sector to commit to impactful actions that will fortify smallholder farmers and their food systems. Key areas of focus include making adaptation financing readily accessible to community-led projects, sustainable management of land and water resources, and investing in agricultural innovation tailored for vulnerable regions.

The consequences of this hurricane extend beyond Haiti's borders, with lessons that resonate globally: resilience starts where every harvest does—within the hands of farmers. With climate change accelerating, investing in their expertise and leadership is not an act of charity; it is a strategic approach toward a viable future.

As the COP30 conference looms, Heifer International urges those in positions of influence to transform promises into actionable policies, meaningful partnerships, and adequate funding—making smallholder farmers an integral part of a fair and sustainable future.