Weeks after Hurricane Melissa tore through the northern Caribbean, thousands of people in Haiti, Jamaica and Cuba are still struggling for food and shelter. In Petit-Goave, Haiti, residents are still digging out from flooding that killed at least 43 people across the country.

Lola Castro, a regional director with the United Nations World Food Programme, said Melissa had deepened Haiti's crises. Around 5.3 million people in Haiti do not have enough to eat every day, she said. The storm affected six million people across the Caribbean, and about 1.3 million people in the region now need food, security or other support.

Jamaica counts the damage

Jamaica, where Melissa made landfall in late October, faces an estimated $8.8 billion in damage. The storm killed at least 45 people, with 13 still missing and 32 further deaths under investigation, according to emergency chief Alvin Gayle. More than 100 shelters remain open in seven parishes, housing over 1,000 people; 160 schools are still closed.

Health officials have reported 30 confirmed cases of leptospirosis and 84 unconfirmed cases, with 12 related deaths. Jamaica has secured a $150 million loan to restore electricity, with full power expected by the end of January.

US aid rises as needs remain

In Cuba, hundreds of people remain in makeshift shelters after the storm struck the east of the island hours after hitting Jamaica. No storm deaths were reported there, where more than 700,000 people were evacuated.

The United States has announced nearly $12.6 million in additional emergency assistance for Jamaica and Haiti, taking total US support to nearly $37 million. The State Department said the funding would help clear debris, restore access to cut-off areas and provide shelter, healthcare, water and food.