Amazon: Rebuilding Connectivity After Hurricane Melissa

Amazon has activated its global Disaster Relief network to support the emergency response to Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that made landfall in Jamaica on 28 October and caused widespread damage across Cuba, the Bahamas and Bermuda, with early reports indicating 30 fatalities and extensive power outages across the region.

The company has mobilised inventory from its Disaster Relief hub in Georgia, one of 15 facilities it maintains worldwide to speed aid to disaster zones. These hubs are pre-stocked with tarps, blankets, medical devices and other essentials, enabling consignments to move within hours once conditions allow.

Kara Hurst, Amazon Chief Sustainability Officer, says: "It's hard to find the right words in describing the humanitarian disaster caused by Hurricane Melissa. More than 30 people have died, hundreds of thousands across the Caribbean are without power and we don't yet know the extent of all the destruction. My heart is with everyone impacted, and I'm grateful Amazon's Disaster Relief team can quickly mobilise to help."

Connectivity first: Restoring lifelines

With power and communications down across multiple islands, Amazon is focusing on technology support alongside physical aid. "We're serving as a technology advisor to help restore power and internet connectivity as quickly as possible," said Kara. "The catastrophic infrastructure damage has isolated many communities, so we're coordinating emergency donations for delivery by both ocean and air."

Amazon is working with the Information Technology Disaster Resource Center to help first responders re-establish connectivity and with Footprint Project to deploy solar generators and off-grid systems that can power temporary network sites, charging stations and command posts while grid repairs progress.

Coordinating with UN agencies and NGOs

The response is aligned with six humanitarian partners. The World Food Programme is delivering emergency food assistance and the International Organization for Migration is supplying water, shelter and sanitation. Good360 is routing donated goods from large corporates to local non-profits on the ground, while Global Empowerment Mission is focused on rapid delivery of essentials to communities most affected.

Abe Diaz, Amazon Head of Disaster Relief, says: "Amazon's approach to supporting communities starts with listening to local organisations about what people actually need. We've positioned donated emergency supplies at our Atlanta Disaster Relief hub to use Amazon's logistics capabilities to get them to communities quickly. What matters most is that these supplies reach the right places at the right time to support community-led recovery efforts."

Inside Amazon’s response

Teams across fulfilment, air and ocean operations and last-mile logistics are coordinating real-time routes as airfields and ports reopen. The company says employee and partner safety remains the primary concern, with dedicated teams issuing live alerts to inform operational decisions in affected areas.

Kara added: "Watching Amazonians across teams step forward to help is an inspiring reminder that our greatest strength is our people. Amazonians are problem solvers by nature – in the face of challenges, they act."

Telecom restoration is a critical first step after a disaster of this scale. Connectivity supports emergency services, reunites families and enables digital cash transfers and supply tracking. By pairing logistics with temporary power and networking expertise, Amazon and its partners aim to shorten the communications blackout and stabilise connectivity while utilities rebuild.

Melissa is the most powerful storm recorded globally in 2025 and underscores growing concerns about climate-driven extremes in the Caribbean, where coastal populations and infrastructure are highly exposed. Jamaica, which took the direct Category 5 landfall, faces a lengthy reconstruction programme. Full recovery will depend on restoring resilient power and communications, reinforcing network hardening and expanding renewable backup at critical sites.