Hurricane Melissa

Context

Formed in late October 2025 in the Caribbean Sea, Hurricane Melissa quickly intensified to a Category 5 storm, the highest on the scale, with winds reaching up to 280 km/h. Its slow progress and the environmental conditions increased the risks for Jamaica. It is well established that climate change contributes to the occurrence of extreme weather events, and Melissa is now considered the most powerful hurricane to ever hit Jamaica since weather records began. Landslides, floods, and the strong winds and rain have caused catastrophic damages, including to power and communications infrastructure, leaving many without a way to call or access the Internet. 

Faced with the significant humanitarian consequences expected, TSF immediately mobilized from its regional office in Mexico, alongside its regional and national partners.

Emergency connectivity for organizations and communities

Established in Mexico since 2017, TSF is integrated into regional humanitarian networks and has carried out several capacity-sharing programs in preparation for emergencies, particularly in conjunction with the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). An internet resilience project was also ongoing when the hurricane hit, in partnership with various actors including the Jamaican Red Cross. This network of actors mobilized immediately to provide a rapid and appropriate humanitarian response to this exceptional hurricane.

Important needs in communication

The western part of the island has been severely affected by the hurricane, and the communications have been completely cut off on this area. This made it very difficult for affected communities to call for help, reach out to their loved ones, and find essential information, and for humanitarian organizations to coordinate their response.

“Yesterday was my first visit. I couldn't believe it was my school. I was devastated. Only now I can send the pictures of the damages. I really appreciate this.”

Simone, Jamaican Red Cross, Santa Cruz

Providing connectivity in coordination centers

TSF collaborated with the Jamaican Red Cross (JRC) to identify needs and key areas of focus. One priority emerged: reconnecting the JRC's branches —coordination centers located in various locations. Indeed, without connectivity, local centers couldn’t communicate with headquarters to assess needs and to coordinate aid distribution.

TSF reconnected JRC centers in some of the most affected areas:

• Santa Cruz,
• Savanna-La-Mar,
• Montego Bay, and
• St. Ann.

TSF engineers configured the connections so that it could meet the needs of relief organizations, but also of affected individuals who were able to come and connect freely. 

Wi-Fi during aid distributions

TSF worked with the Red Cross to provide Wi-Fi connectivity during the distribution of humanitarian aid in several towns including Jericho and Mount Salem.

As people waited for their turn, they could access the Internet to contact their loved ones and access essential information. Several people were able to reach their friends and family for the first time since the hurricane struck: “since the storm, it's the first time we connect to the Internet.”, one community member told the team.

"Connectivity is important because it connects loved ones.  Without the Wi-Fi, people cannot have confirmation that people are ok." 

Michelle, community member.

After the emergency: contributing to resilience

Through a long-term project aimed at strengthening Internet resilience in the region, TSF will keep working to improve the resilience of communications in the face of such disasters. This missions aims to strengthen community resilience by providing reliable Internet access to people affected by natural disasters and to humanitarian organizations in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.