Hurricane Matthew was a significant tropical cyclone that formed in late September 2016. It rapidly intensified into a Category 5 hurricane as it moved across the Caribbean, impacting several countries, with Haiti suffering the most devastating effects. On October 4, the storm made landfall, bringing destructive winds and catastrophic flooding to the region. Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced as homes were destroyed and public services collapsed. The aftermath saw a swift rise in the death toll, particularly in Haiti where the landscape was devastated. In total, more than 800 lives were lost, and many more were injured. The damage extended beyond physical destruction, leading to humanitarian crises including food shortages and disease outbreaks, such as cholera. The storm highlighted the vulnerabilities of communities in the face of natural disasters, particularly in impoverished regions where infrastructure and emergency services were inadequate.

Following the storm, there was a global response with various governments and international organizations providing aid to the affected areas. The scale of the disaster prompted renewed conversations about disaster preparedness, climate change, and the resilience of infrastructure. Furthermore, it emphasized the necessity for enhanced early warning systems and the importance of international cooperation in crisis management. The storm underscored the heartbreaking realities faced by communities battling the aftereffects of severe weather, calling attention to the long-term rebuilding efforts needed to restore affected areas. The international community began to advocate more robust policies and strategies aimed at disaster risk reduction and resilience-building to prepare for future storms similar to Hurricane Matthew.