What you should know about the 2025 hurricane season
UNICEF is ready to provide assistance in Latin America and the Caribbean
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Latin America and the Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world, with a growing number of people affected by disasters such as storms or floods. In the last three decades, 190 million people in the region have been affected by disasters. In the Caribbean, 1.9 million people, including half a million children and adolescents, are affected by disasters each year.
For the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, up to 19 hurricane events are forecast, including up to five major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher) and up to ten minor hurricanes (Categories 1 and 2).
Children living in coastal areas of Central America and the Caribbean may face serious consequences from intense tropical systems as the hurricane season enters a more active phase.
2025 Hurricane Season Forecast | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Pacific Ocean | Atlantic Ocean | ||
| Category | Forecast | Category | Forecast |
| Named Storm | 12-18 | Named Storm | 13-19 |
| Hurricane | 5-10 | Hurricane | 6-10 |
| Major Hurricane | 3-5 | Major Hurricane | 3-5 |
UNICEF/UNI452429/Izquierdo
UNICEF/UN0556536/Willocq
Children in coastal areas of Central America and the Caribbean could face the consequences of intense tropical systems, as the hurricane season moves into a more active phase.
UNICEF's response
In emergency situations, UNICEF's Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean supports the humanitarian response capacities of its country offices and partners in the region. It also helps strengthen the capacities of national systems to provide timely and effective child-centred responses.
All efforts to prepare for the arrival of hurricanes are also vital to mitigate damage and loss of life in the most vulnerable communities. Investing in national capacities to prepare for, and respond to, climate-related emergencies, as well as to provide essential services for children, is critical to ensuring the well-being of those who are most in need.
Together with its partners, UNICEF has pre-positioned life-saving supplies in its warehouse in Panama for several countries in the Caribbean Basin, including medical kits, educational kits, various essential water supplies, sanitation and hygiene materials (such as water tanks, large bottles and water purification tablets), and key equipment such as high-quality tents, which will be deployed as needed.
Our technical team is prepared to deploy to the field to provide essential support to affected populations if needed.
Anticipatory Actions Save Lives
UNICEF collaborates with governments across the region to enhance national emergency preparedness. This includes improving their ability to monitor and analyze risks, activating relevant agencies to implement anticipatory and early response actions, and ensuring that they can prioritize, deliver, and sustain essential life-saving services for vulnerable populations during crises
This year, UNICEF has requested $19 million to prepare for and respond to emergencies in Latin America and the Caribbean. This includes support for countries in the Caribbean Basin, such as Belize, Bolivia, Cuba, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and the Lesser Antilles in the Eastern Caribbean.
Important information for families
In addition to causing significant damage, tropical storms cause fear and uncertainty. Follow our tips to help your family protect themselves and be prepared.
