Amazon is collaborating with United Nations agencies and first responders to support communities in Jamaica and the Caribbean affected by Hurricane Melissa. The storm, which made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 hurricane, is the strongest to ever directly hit the island and is currently impacting other areas including Cuba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, and additional Caribbean islands.
To aid in relief efforts, Amazon has positioned emergency supplies such as tarps, blankets, and medical devices at its Disaster Relief hub near Atlanta. This facility is one of 15 Disaster Relief hubs operated by Amazon worldwide to enable rapid response to disasters. The company’s teams are monitoring the situation continuously to ensure employee and partner safety while providing timely updates for operational decisions.
In addition to supplying physical goods, Amazon is acting as a technology advisor for communities working to restore power and internet connectivity following expected severe infrastructure damage caused by Hurricane Melissa. The company is coordinating emergency donations for delivery by both ocean and air transport.
“My heart is with everyone in Melissa’s path,” said Abe Diaz, Amazon’s Head of Disaster Relief. “As someone who grew up in Puerto Rico, I’ve experienced the devastating damage hurricanes like Melissa can inflict, but I’ve also experienced the power of communities acting together for a common cause. Amazon’s approach to supporting communities starts with listening to local organizations 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.“
Amazon’s partners in responding to Hurricane Melissa include UN agencies and various nonprofit organizations.
