Hurricane Melissa has reached Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds of 280 km/h, higher gusts, and an estimated minimum central pressure of 917 hPa, according to the Cuban Meteorology Institute (INSMET) and the U.S. National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

The threat level is extreme due to the potential for devastating destruction: a Category 5 hurricane is extremely destructive, capable of causing catastrophic damage such as the total collapse of most homes and the destruction of smaller structures. Sustained winds exceeding 280 km/h can uproot trees and power poles, causing power outages lasting weeks or months and isolating entire communities. The associated storm surge can also produce severe coastal flooding.

INSMET issued Advisory No. 16 on October 27, emphasizing that the outer bands of this hurricane will continue to increase cloudiness and rainfall in eastern Cuba, which may be heavy in some areas, mainly mountainous ones. Strong swells will persist in the seas south of Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantánamo, with light flooding expected in low-lying coastal zones.

The Cuban government has activated its national early-warning system and implemented a comprehensive contingency plan, which includes Mass Evacuations – Nearly 900,000 people have been evacuated from the eastern provinces, prioritizing the most vulnerable zones. This represents an estimated 25% of the population of those provinces.
As per initial information the urgent humanitarian needs include, shelter, Emergency food , safe drinking water, Non food items, psychosocial support and livelihood support. Detailed rapid need assessment will be conducted to get more information about the needs on the ground.

ACT Secretariat is in close contact with the Cuba forum members to plan for a possible response. more updates will be shared as soon as we get updates from the forum.

En Español

El huracán Melissa ha alcanzado la categoría 5 en la escala Saffir-Simpson, con vientos máximos sostenidos de 280 km/h, ráfagas más fuertes y una presión central mínima estimada de 917 hPa, según el Instituto Nacional de Meteorología de Cuba (INSMET) y el Centro Nacional de Huracanes de Estados Unidos (NHC).
El nivel de amenaza es extremo debido al potencial de destrucción devastadora: un huracán de categoría 5 es extremadamente destructivo, capaz de causar daños catastróficos, como el colapso total de la mayoría de las viviendas y la destrucción de estructuras más pequeñas. Los vientos sostenidos que superan los 280 km/h pueden arrancar árboles y postes eléctricos, provocando cortes de energía que duran semanas o meses y aislando comunidades enteras. La marejada ciclónica asociada también puede producir graves inundaciones costeras.

El INSMET emitió el aviso n.º 16 el 27 de octubre, en el que destacaba que las bandas exteriores de este huracán seguirán aumentando la nubosidad y las precipitaciones en el este de Cuba, que pueden ser intensas en algunas zonas, principalmente en las montañosas. Persistirán fuertes oleajes en los mares al sur de Granma, Santiago de Cuba y Guantánamo, y se esperan ligeras inundaciones en las zonas costeras bajas.
El Gobierno cubano ha activado su sistema nacional de alerta temprana y ha puesto en marcha un plan de contingencia integral, que incluye Evacuaciones masivas: se ha evacuado a casi 900 000 personas de las provincias orientales, dando prioridad a las zonas más vulnerables. Esto representa aproximadamente el 25 % de la población de esas provincias.

Según la información inicial, las necesidades humanitarias urgentes incluyen refugio, alimentos de emergencia, agua potable, artículos no alimentarios, apoyo psicosocial y apoyo para la subsistencia. Se llevará a cabo una evaluación rápida y detallada de las necesidades para obtener más información sobre las necesidades sobre el terreno.

La Secretaría de ACT está en estrecho contacto con los miembros del foro de Cuba para planificar una posible respuesta. Se compartirán más novedades tan pronto como recibamos información actualizada del foro.

ACT Alert – Cuba Hurican Melissa (Eng + Spanish)

The Cox’s Bazar crisis represents one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian emergencies, originating from the mass influx of over 745,000 Rohingya refugees from Rakhine State, Myanmar, in August 2017. Currently, around 1.14 million refugees live in 33 densely populated camps across Ukhiya and Teknaf upazilas, alongside a vulnerable host community. The situation has evolved beyond an acute emergency into a complex humanitarian-development challenge marked by severe food insecurity, deteriorating health conditions, and growing socio-environmental strain. Overcrowding within camps aggravated by high birth rates averaging 30,000–35,000 new births annually continue to stretch already limited resources, increase demand for maternal and child health services, and exacerbate sanitation challenges.

The demographic composition of the refugee population remains weighted toward vulnerable groups: 52 percent are women and girls, 49 percent are children under 18, and about 4 percent are older persons (UNHCR, July 2025). The majority are stateless ethnic Rohingya who remain fully dependent on humanitarian aid. Recurrent funding shortfalls have directly worsened living conditions. Since 2023, WFP has been forced to reduce food rations by up to 30 percent due to severe funding gaps, cutting monthly entitlements and pushing thousands of households into crisis-level food insecurity. Malnutrition rates have consequently risen, with Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) fluctuating between 8.6 and 12.7 percent (UNHCR, 2024).

The Joint Response Plan (JRP) and ISNA/J-MSNA assessments identify the most acute shortfalls in food security, health (including disease surveillance and primary care), nutrition, WASH, shelter-CCCM, protection (child protection, GBV), and education, with the greatest concentration of unmet needs in the most congested camps and in adjacent host-community. The JRP’s hyper-prioritization for 2025 lists food security, health & nutrition, shelter, protection, site management and WASH among the first-priority gaps to avoid a collapse in life-saving services (JRP 2025-26).

Some ACT Alliance members are currently on the ground implementing projects. However, due to the high level of needs, members of the Bangladesh Forum — including CCDB, CA, RDRS, and Cordaid — are planning to publish an appeal to address the urgent needs of the refugees and to strengthen the resilience of affected communities.

ACT Alert Rohingya Refugees Crises Bangladesh

On 30 September 2025 at 9:59 PM, a magnitude 6.9 tectonic earthquake struck off the coast of Bogo City, Cebu Province, with a depth of 5 km, causing widespread destruction across 89 cities and municipalities in the Visayas region. Intensity 7 shaking was recorded in Cebu City and parts of Leyte, leading to collapsed homes, damaged infrastructure, and numerous casualties. Historic structures, roads, bridges, and essential services were severely affected, while over 3,685 aftershocks (magnitude 1.4–5.1) have since been recorded, complicating rescue efforts and deepening fear among communities. PHIVOLCS expects aftershock activity to gradually decrease in the coming weeks.

The earthquake off Bogo City severely affected Northern Cebu—particularly rural areas and urban centers—impacting 457,554 individuals across 184 villages. The disaster resulted in 70 deaths, 559 injuries, and displaced over 77,000 people, most of whom remain outside evacuation centers due to fear and ongoing aftershocks. Families are sheltering in makeshift roadside camps with minimal protection from the rain. A total of 18,154 houses were damaged (3,507 totally), alongside 533 infrastructure points including schools, bridges, and government facilities. Power outages hit 89 municipalities, communication lines were cut in 12 areas, and landslides, structural collapses, and fires further deepened the crisis.

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) plans to respond through Rapid Response Fund.

Alert Philippines Cebu Earthquake

From September 25 to 26, 2025, Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi (locally known as Typhoon Opong) made multiple landfalls across the central regions of the Philippines. The storm made landfall first in the province of Eastern Samar (Region VIII), then twice in the province of Masbate (Region V), twice in the province of Romblon, and finally once in Mindoro Oriental—both Romblon and Mindoro Oriental are part of MIMAROPA region (Region IV-B). With maximum winds of up to 110 kilometers per hour (68 mph), the storm devastated the provinces, causing electricity poles to collapse, trees to be uprooted, and damage to infrastructure and households, along with destruction of agricultural livelihoods due to floods.

STS Bualoi (Typhoon Opong) is the 15th tropical cyclone that entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) and the fifth one for September 2025, following Super Typhoon Ragasa (Nando) just three days after, which had a wind force of 115 to 143 miles per hour (185 to 230 kilometers per hour) that made landfall in the northern portion of Luzon, and Tropical Depression Mitag (Mirasol), which also made landfall in the eastern part of Central Luzon, specifically in Region III.

Prior to these typhoons, the Philippines was already experiencing unrelenting rains and floods caused by the southwest monsoon.

Based on the initial assessments from local partners, the NCCP plans to respond to the immediate needs of the communities through emergency food relief and multi-purpose cash assistance, through the Ecumenical Disaster Response and Management Committees of the local ecumenical formations and local church members. This will be implemented as early as possible. The response will target farmers, fishers and indigenous people in the affected communities.

ACT Alert Philippines Typhoon Bualoi September 2025

India is reeling under one of the worst flood disasters in its recent history, with all 23 districts in Punjab are being impacted. Extreme monsoon rainfall in Punjab and importantly in upstream catchment areas (Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir) that feed the Sutlej, Beas and Ravi rivers. Large/rapid releases from reservoirs (Bhakra, Pong/Ranjit Sagar and other dams) to protect upstream infrastructure, which increased downstream flows. Saturated soils and limited drainage in low-lying agricultural plains, which increased inundation and slowed recession.

According to Government, as of 8^th September 2025, nearly 2 million people across 2,050 villages have been affected, and 3,87,898 individuals displaced from their homes. The official death toll has reached 48, while three persons remain missing. The agricultural sector has suffered massive losses, with more than 1,76,000 hectares of farmland submerged. Alongside crop damage, livestock has been badly hit, with over 2,52,000 animals and 5,88,000 poultry birds affected due to waterlogging, fodder shortages, and lack of shelter.

Because of floods and cloudburst, the livelihood of people including agriculture and farmlands are badly affected. The health sector has faced unprecedented destruction. This disruption has severely strained healthcare delivery at a time when stagnant water and poor sanitation are heightening the risk of outbreaks such as dengue, cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and hepatitis. The risk of snakebites has also increased. Medical teams, including ASHA workers and Community Health Officers, are conducting door-to-door checks, distributing medicines, and providing anti-snake venom in flood-hit areas.

Based on the initial assessments Food, NFIs, WASH, Shelter and settlement are the main needs of the affected populations. ACT Alliance members LWSIT, CNI SBSS and CARD are currently on the ground and has planned to use Rapid Response Funds to support the flood and cloudburst affected people by providing basic food materials, temporary shelter, non-food items, hygiene/dignity kits, psycho social support, agricultural seeds and allied services and cash transfer.

ACT Alert_Floods in Punjab & Delhi and Cloudburst in Uttarakhand

Border hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand escalated on 24 July 2025, with exchanges of artillery and airstrikes across multiple locations. A Malaysia-brokered ceasefire took effect on 28 July 2025. ASEAN observers were agreed in early August 2025 to help monitor the truce. However, incidents (including landmine injuries and sporadic tensions) have continued to disrupt returns and services.

In the initial days of the conflict approximately 153,910 individuals were displaced, primarily women, children, and the elderly. While a ceasefire agreement reached on 28 July has halted active hostilities, the situation remains fragile, with many families still residing in 134 government-supported displacement sites or hosted by relatives. according to the latest reports around 34000 people are still displaced and most of them are at the evaluation centers established by Government.  Concerns over unexploded ordnance, damaged housing, and limited access to services continue to deter large-scale returns. In parallel, 755,729 Cambodian nationals have returned from Thailand, including 328,808 women and 10,793 children, placing additional pressure on overstretched services.

According to UNICEF situation report issued on 8th August the key gaps include limited access to clean water, inadequate sanitation, insufficient temporary learning spaces, overstretched health services, poor nutrition, and heightened protection risks for vulnerable groups.

ACT Alert – Conflict induced displacement in Cambodia

More than 300,000 people have been affected by a flash flood and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Parts of Gilgit Baltistan, Pakistan. Ghizer and Gilgit districts are among the severely impacted districts, by the recent disasters. Across the two districts, 22 deaths, 17 injuries, and damage to 662 houses have been reported. The main sources of livelihood—agriculture, horticulture, and tourism—have suffered greatly, as floods destroyed large tracts of agricultural land, while damaged irrigation channels continue to affect even those areas that were not directly hit by GLOFs and floods. According to official estimates, approximately 70% of the population in these districts has been affected by the recent incidents.

In August, Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan faced a series of severe disasters. On August 11, seven volunteers lost their lives and six were injured while restoring an irrigation channel in Danyore’s  Manogah Nallah, damaged by late July’s flash floods. The following day, August 12, massive flooding in Gulmit Gojal, Hunza, destroyed irrigation channels, link roads, a women-owned restaurant (Bozlanj), a government tourist facilitation centre, and a section of the Karakoram Highway, while over 40 locals working on water channel restoration narrowly escaped.

According to GB-PEOC’s 18 August report, the disaster caused 45 deaths, 42 injuries, destruction or damage to 993 houses, the loss of 67 livestock, and the destruction of 87 bridges and 40 water channels in 30 villages in GB.

Flooding in GB has damaged irrigation systems, farmland, roads, and bridges, leaving some communities without power or clean water. Many affected people remain scattered or with host families, and detailed disaggregated data is unavailable.

On 16 August, a flash flood and glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in District Ghizer caused extensive damage, including the death of a girl from lightning, destruction of homes, a school, a hospital, shops, livestock, and farmland. Roads and bridges were washed away, leaving thousands of locals and tourists stranded, while power, mobile, and internet connectivity were also disrupted.

ACT Alliance member Community World Services Asia (CWSA) is planning to extend its relief support with the support from the Rapid Response Fund RRF to the flood affected areas of Gilgit Baltistan state in Pakistan.

ACT Alert- Glacial Lake Outburst and flash Floods Pakistan

The deterioration in security situation in Southern Syria that has started in recent weeks, particularly in the governorates of As-Sweida and Daraa, has led to mass displacement, road closures, disruption of essential services, and left thousands of families in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.  The total number of IDP movements recorded as of 22nd of July is 145,600 individuals, and according to the IDP Taskforce, co-led by UNHCR and OCHA, an estimated 94,300 people have been displaced within As-Sweida governorate, 49,827 have fled to Daraa governorate, with most of them settling in Daraa and Izraa districts, and 950 have relocated to Rural Damascus governorate.

As of the 20th July, the humanitarian situation in As-Sweida Governorate remains dire, with power outages, unstable internet and mobile connectivity, and a severe shortage of water and medical services posing persistent challenges, in addition to the closure of local markets, compounded by widespread shop damage and looting, has significantly restricted access to essential goods, including food. Furthermore, the National Hospital in Sweida is operating beyond capacity, lacking sufficient medical staff and supplies, and is without access to water, electricity, or fuel for generators. Patients are overflowing into hospital hallways, while the morgue is over capacity, holding hundreds of deceased individuals, including women, children, and the elderly.

St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee (EPDC) will access the Rapid Response Fund to aid affected people in Daraa governorate.

Alert Syria hostilities

On May 29, 2025, Mokwa in Niger State, Nigeria, experienced one of the most catastrophic flash floods in the nation’s recent history. Triggered by intense overnight rainfall, the flood rapidly overwhelmed local infrastructure. The situation worsened when a nearby dam collapsed, amplifying the flood waters and devastation across the region.

The human impact was severe: 159 people were confirmed dead, 98 reported missing, and at least 11 hospitalized with various injuries. Approximately 3,018 residents were displaced, many seeking shelter with relatives, friends, or in host communities due to limited emergency housing. Infrastructure damage was extensive. The collapse of the Mokwa bridge and two others 2 severely hindered access and emergency response.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) had, prior to the incident, issued multiple early warnings regarding likely flooding in flood-prone regions like Niger State. In collaboration with NiMet and NIHSA, NEMA’s early warning systems involved: Disseminating seasonal climate predictions and realtime flood alerts via radio, television, social media, and town criers.

The living conditions for flood survivors in Mokwa, Niger State remain inadequate. Issues such as insufficient shelter, limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities, and inadequate healthcare services further compound the challenges faced by these displaced individuals.

ACT Alert Mokowa Nigeria Flooding