In late October 2025, Hurricane Melissa swept through the Caribbean, bringing intense winds and heavy rains. In Haiti, the hurricane claimed lives, displaced families, and resulted in widespread damage to livelihoods, especially for farming communities already vulnerable to climate shocks. Gardens were washed away, food supplies were destroyed, and the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera increased in the storm’s aftermath.
For Dieulene, a mother of a three-year-old daughter, the hurricane erased months of hard work in a matter of hours.
Like many people in her community, Dieulene relies on gardening to provide for her family. When the storm passed, every crop she had planted was gone. The future felt uncertain, but she refused to give up. Before any assistance arrived, Dieulene started clearing debris from her land and preparing her garden to plant new seeds. She was determined to begin again.
Planting seeds of hope after Hurricane Melissa
To help survivors like Dieulene, World Renew worked alongside local partner Productive Cooperatives Haiti (pcH) to implement a response. Dieulene’s family was among 200 households across three communities that were supported through the project. Families received seeds to restart their gardens, hygiene and cholera-prevention training, and water purification tablets to help ensure safe drinking water as they recovered.
Through World Renew’s response, Dieulene received 13.6 kg (30 pounds) of black bean seeds, enough to restart her garden.
“I’m very happy to receive the seeds,” Dieulene said. “I wish that God will make it rain so that I can succeed in the garden and have a good harvest that I can sell to take care of my family.”
Looking forward after Hurricane Melissa
One year later, the seeds of recovery continue to grow. More families like Dieulene’s are planting gardens once again, watching tiny seeds become fields of crops and crops become harvests that provide both food and income. While challenges remain, hope is taking root as families rebuild their livelihoods and look toward the future with renewed confidence.
Watch the video below to hear from Kristie van de Wetering, World Renew’s country director in Haiti, and learn more about our response to Hurricane Melissa.
