The U.N. spokesperson said the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is closely monitoring Tropical Storm Melissa, which could strengthen into a major hurricane and affect the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica and eastern Cuba. Based on that forecast, he said, "$4,000,000 has been allocated from the Central Emergency Response Fund for Haiti."

The funds, the spokesperson said, will enable the World Food Programme, the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organization for Migration to support more than 100,000 vulnerable people before the storm hits. The response will focus on early warning messages, life-saving evacuation support, cash transfers, emergency shelter management, and water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) kits.

The spokesperson described the allocation as part of "anticipatory action efforts," which are intended to allow humanitarian actors to "get ahead of the dire consequences of storms and hurricanes." He said the funds were released to allow partners to step up preparedness activities with regional partners including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Authority.