What you should know about the 2026 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, after South Asia, with an increasing number of people affected by disasters such as storms. In the region, an estimated 11 million people, including nearly four million children1, are affected by natural and human-induced climate hazards each year.
For the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, up to 14 cyclonic events have been forecast, including up to three major hurricanes (category 3 or higher), and up to six hurricanes (categories 1 and 2)2.
In 2025, days of heavy rainfall, severe storms and devastating floods caused by Hurricane Melissa affected the lives of more than 700,000 children and adolescents across the Caribbean, according to UNICEF.
This year, children in the coastal areas of Central America and the Caribbean could face the consequences of intense tropical systems as hurricane season enters a more active phase.
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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
With its dual development and humanitarian mandate, the support of government agencies and strong cross-sector partnerships, UNICEF works to strengthen national systems, ensuring the protection of children and adolescents before, during and after an emergency.
Investing in preparedness and anticipatory actions prior to a climate event are key to mitigating damage and loss of life among the most vulnerable communities and to ensure a faster recovery.
The UNICEF Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Office supports the response capacities of its country offices and partners across the region to provide timely and effective child-centred responses.
Together with its partners, UNICEF has pre-positioned life-saving supplies in its regional warehouse located in Panama and in its partner logistics hub in Barbados. These supplies include medical kits, educational kits, and various essential water, sanitation and hygiene materials, including family hygiene kits, water tanks, jerry cans and water purification tablets, as well as key equipment such as high-quality tents, which will be deployed as needed.
Our team of specialists is also ready to be deployed on the ground to provide the required support to affected populations, as needed.
Anticipatory Actions Save Lives
UNICEF works with governments and humanitarian actors throughout the region to strengthen national emergency preparedness. This includes monitoring and risk analysis, estimating impacts and identifying key actions before, during and after climate events, from the first 72 hours through the recovery phase. UNICEF also supports the activation of sectoral mechanisms to implement anticipatory and early response actions, ensuring that essential services reach those who need them most.
At UNICEF, we believe that investing in child-centred emergency preparedness delivers significant impact at scale. Our analysis shows that preparedness interventions reduced response times by 12 days, generated savings of more than $4 for every $1 invested, and every $1 spent avoided up to $13 in losses and recovery costs.
This year, UNICEF has requested $53.8 million to prepare for and respond to emergencies across Latin America and the Caribbean. Among the countries most at risk of being directly affected by hurricanes this season are Belize, Cuba, and countries in the Eastern Caribbean Area such as Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic.
In addition, countries such as El Salvador, Panama, Venezuela and Colombia could also be affected by heavy rainfall and other effects associated with tropical systems.
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.
El Niño and climate change: what do they mean for this season?
The 2026 hurricane season is being influenced by the El Niño phenomenon – a natural climate cycle that occurs periodically and is characterized by the warming sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), El Niño is currently developing and is expected to consolidate between May and July 2026, with an 83 per cent probability that El Niño conditions will persist during the October‑December 2026 period.
In general, El Niño tends to reduce hurricane activity in the Atlantic. However, a less active season does not mean there is no risk. A single major hurricane can cause devastating damage and affect the lives of hundreds of thousands of children and their families.
This is further compounded by the effect of climate change, which is intensifying extreme weather events in the region. Climate change increases the proportion of high-intensity storms, accelerates their intensification before impact and generates more torrential rainfall, with disproportionate consequences for the most vulnerable communities, particularly children and adolescents.
Against this backdrop, UNICEF, in close collaboration with its partners, maintains its highest level of preparedness and response.
