In the middle of hurricane season, a quiet decision by the U.S. nearly severed Haiti’s last lifeline to critical weather data—exposing a nation stripped of autonomy and trapped in dependency.
Climate Crisis | The Haitian Pulse Editorial Team | August 6, 2025
A Near-Catastrophe in the Skies In the midst of a violent hurricane season, Haiti narrowly avoided the loss of a crucial stream of meteorological data—one that could have drastically reduced the country’s ability to predict and prepare for natural disasters. On June 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense, through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), suspended the dissemination of critical satellite data essential to hurricane tracking in the North Atlantic.
The decision, initially explained as a cybersecurity measure, sent shockwaves across the Caribbean. After intense pushback from international meteorologists, the U.S. ultimately reversed its decision and agreed to maintain access to the data until the scheduled program termination in September 2026. But for Haiti, the damage had already been done—not physically, but symbolically.
Forecasting Without Tools Haiti does not own a single operational meteorological radar. It possesses no weather satellites. Its national meteorological systems are defunct. The country relies on radar feeds from neighboring nations like the Dominican Republic and Cuba just to monitor storms heading its way.
According to Emmanuel Pierre, Director of the Directorate for Civil Protection (DGPC), "These low-orbit satellite data are vital. They help us analyze storms that are slow-moving but capable of massive destruction—such as intense rainfall or flash floods."
In the past, Haiti’s National Meteorological Center (CNM) had functioning radar systems. Today, they are broken and unrepaired. As Pierre confirmed, “These systems are defective and have not been fixed.”
A New Era of Isolation—and a Wake-Up Call for Haiti For decades, the United States—arguably the most powerful nation on the planet—has positioned itself as a strategic partner to countries across the Caribbean and Latin America. But under the Trump administration’s "America First" doctrine, the tone has dramatically shifted. Isolationism is no longer a footnote—it’s the headline. Aid is conditional. Cooperation is transactional. And as seen in the near-suspension of satellite weather data, even lifesaving information can be withheld when it no longer suits U.S. priorities.
This shift should serve as a resounding wake-up call for Haiti. No nation can thrive when its most basic needs—like weather forecasts, clean water, and disaster preparedness—are subject to the whims of foreign agendas. Haitians must now turn their focus inward, demanding leadership that will prioritize national capacity, technological infrastructure, and sovereignty. The days of relying on the saving arms of foreign nations must come to an end. What’s at stake is not just dignity—it’s survival.
Living at the Mercy of Foreign Satellites The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) operated by the U.S. Department of Defense dates back to the 1970s. These satellites orbit the Earth roughly every 100 minutes, capturing detailed readings of atmospheric and oceanic temperatures, which are then processed and shared through NOAA’s public systems. Without this, Haiti’s forecasts would be significantly less accurate.
Rudolphe Homère Victor, a Haitian meteorologist, explained that the DMSP data compensates for the limitations of conventional imagery, “which cannot offer a detailed view inside cyclones.”
The Geopolitics of Weather Meteorological data isn’t just about weather—it’s about power. China, for instance, classifies its weather data as a national security asset and limits international access. As global temperatures rise and disasters grow more frequent, poor nations like Haiti are being left behind in a data-driven survival race.
To counteract these disparities, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) adopted a legally binding policy in 2021 encouraging free and unrestricted access to observational and forecasting data worldwide. Yet, as the June incident demonstrated, enforcement remains weak and political interests often override humanitarian concerns.
A Sad Reflection of National Dependency The meteorological crisis is just one symptom of a deeper, more painful reality: Haiti relies on other countries for everything. A nation surrounded by water depends on others even for its drinking water. From food aid to infrastructure to the prediction of storms, Haiti is trapped in a web of dependency that strips it of sovereignty.
We cannot even speak of autonomy in a country where the basic needs of the population are unmet. Until Haiti builds internal systems that serve its people, it will always be vulnerable to the geopolitical tides of stronger nations.
A Violent Season Ahead According to Emmanuel Pierre of the DGPC, “Forecasts for this year are above average.” Thirteen storms are expected—nine of which may develop into hurricanes. Four are predicted to reach Category 3 or higher.
The stakes could not be higher. Over a million people are already internally displaced due to gang violence, living in fragile shelters that offer little to no protection from extreme weather.
The DGPC has pledged to prioritize vulnerable communities in the West, Central, and Artibonite departments and plans to carry out disaster risk reduction work in at least 20 major urban centers. Whether these preparations will be enough in the face of another catastrophic season remains to be seen.
“The reality is heartbreaking,” says a civil protection officer who asked not to be named. “We’re doing our best—but we’re fighting a hurricane with an umbrella.”
The Haitian Pulse Will Not Stay Silent This isn’t just a story about meteorology—it’s a story about the silent systems that keep Haiti powerless. About foreign data, broken radars, and a country that can’t tell its people if a storm is coming.
“At The Haitian Pulse, we shine light on every corner where injustice hides. We do not just report—we warn, we question, and we demand change. Haiti’s survival depends on more than weather forecasts—it depends on truth, sovereignty, and a public that will no longer accept silence as shelter.”
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