Amazon has announced the launch of disaster relief efforts for Jamaica and Caribbean communities affected by Hurricane Melissa. The company is partnering with United Nations (UN) agencies and nonprofits to provide emergency supplies and technology through its global Disaster Relief network, according to a press release.
According to Amazon’s official statement, the company is collaborating with UN agencies, local governments, and first responders to deliver aid to regions impacted by Hurricane Melissa. The hurricane made landfall in Jamaica as a Category 5 storm—the strongest ever recorded on the island. The release details how Amazon’s logistics capabilities, combined with a global relief network, are being utilized to distribute emergency supplies and technology kits to communities facing severe infrastructure damage. Amazon emphasized that its objective is to expedite community recovery by ensuring resources reach the areas of greatest need promptly.
Amazon said that emergency items—including tarps, blankets, medical devices, and hygiene kits—are being dispatched from its Disaster Relief hub near Atlanta. This hub is one of 15 such facilities worldwide designed for rapid mobilization in response to crises. These hubs were established to enable swift deployment of supplies to disaster zones using the same logistics systems that support Amazon’s retail and delivery network. According to the company, more than 26 million emergency items have been delivered globally since 2017 in response to over 200 natural disasters.
The release highlights Amazon’s partnerships with organizations such as Good360, Global Empowerment Mission, Footprint Project, Information Disaster Technology Resource Center, International Organization for Migration, and the World Food Programme. These collaborations aim to support coordinated regional responses. In addition to physical aid, Amazon is providing technical expertise to help restore power and internet connectivity across affected islands. Abe Diaz, Amazon’s Head of Disaster Relief, noted that these partnerships reflect Amazon’s broader philosophy of "listening to local organizations about what people actually need" for effective community-led recovery efforts.
Founded in 1994 and headquartered in Seattle, Amazon is a global technology and logistics company operating in e-commerce, advertising, cloud computing via Amazon Web Services (AWS), and global transportation networks. The company integrates its logistics and technology infrastructure into humanitarian response through its Disaster Relief program which supports communities worldwide during crises. According to Amazon’s public sustainability and corporate responsibility reports, its mission includes leveraging innovation and global reach for economic growth and social impact.