Hurricane Melissa, a storm of unprecedented strength, began to lose force on Friday after leaving a trail of destruction across the Caribbean. Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba bore the brunt of the storm, which is blamed for the deaths of at least 50 people and caused severe infrastructural devastation.

Considered the most powerful hurricane to directly hit Jamaica since 1988, Melissa caused significant economic and material loss. AccuWeather forecasts estimated damages between $48 billion and $52 billion. Emergency response teams are distributing food to thousands without power as authorities verify further casualties.

In Haiti, torrential rains led to deadly flooding, killing 31 people and leaving 20 missing. As communities in Cuba rebound from the storm, voices across the region emphasize the

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