Rising Strong: itel’s Efforts to Aid Recovery After Hurricane Melissa

Jamaica is a story of resilience. For a small Caribbean nation, its industries and government have shown remarkable innovation and progress. Its companies have risen to outcompete much larger players. Its music, food, and culture have spread across the globe. Even in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the largest Caribbean storm on record, the Jamaican people have demonstrated a tenacity that cannot be underestimated, acting with resourceful determination as they help friends, families, and neighbors to recover, showing resilience even when they may have lost everything. itel is also a part of Jamaica's recovery story, as we find meaningful ways to support our team members who have been directly affected by the storm. It is a testament to the commitment and passion of Jamaicans to rally, to rebuild and to rise stronger than ever before. 

Once in a Generation Storm Rips Through Jamaica

On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, swept through the Caribbean, carving a destructive path in its wake. It was the strongest storm to hit the Caribbean island – even larger than 1988's Hurricane Gilbert and much more devastating.

The storm made landfall in southwestern Jamaica, near the parish border between Westmoreland and St. Elizabeth, with winds exceeding 185 miles per hour, and traveled north through to Montego Bay, ripping roofs off houses, displacing trees, electrical poles, and damaging essential infrastructure, such as hospitals. Deadly storm surges battered the coast, while torrential rain drenched the country, leading to catastrophic flooding.

Those who were in its direct path saw their parishes demolished, roads washed away, and communities cut off from critical supply routes, leaving thousands homeless or displaced. Some still reside in government shelters, having nowhere else to go.

Even those whose homes remained intact suffered major flooding and damage, with bedding, clothes and furnishings covered in mud and debris. In southwestern Jamaica, the parish of St. Elizabeth has lost much of its shoreline and more than 500,000 residents are without electricity, while thousands of Jamaicans across the island still struggle to access food, running water, and power, relying on outside aid to get the barest of essentials.  Montego Bay also saw extensive flooding, mainly in low-lying areas, leaving thick layers of mud in the streets and inside homes, hindering relief efforts.

The Aftermath: itel Jamaica Recovers

Despite the devastation, Jamaicans are united in their determination to rebuild. Government agencies, utility companies, and thousands of volunteers have mobilized to clear major routes and restore power, so that emergency personnel can reach and assist affected areas.  

Parts of the country are recovering faster than anticipated. Thankfully, Kingston was spared the worst brunt of the storm and has resumed normal day-to-day function. We are pleased to say that our Kingston facility sustained no damage during the hurricane and is fully operational.

Our team members in Montego Bay, while still recovering, have also resumed work and are grateful to have a safe workplace environment in which they can once again see friends and colleagues, so they can share messages of hope and support.

For many, work is a welcome distraction from the hardships they have endured and gives some sense of normalcy in an unprecedented time. As one of the largest employers in Jamaica, we understand the critical nature of maintaining employment during a time of upheaval. It gives much needed routine, purpose, and financial stability, especially when many employees are trying to help their extended families in places where people have lost their homes, businesses, and livelihoods.

The itel Family Rises to Support

While relief and recovery efforts are well underway, many of our itel family are still in the recovery process, especially those in Montego Bay. Some still need help obtaining food, clothes, and other provisions to support their families. Others need assistance rebuilding their homes.

To assess where our efforts can have the greatest impact, we launched the itel Relief Line, where employees can submit a secure, direct form to identify their most urgent needs, while collecting verified information on individual circumstances, giving us a clear picture of priorities. So far, we have received hundreds of requests for aid, many of them immediate needs, such as food, water and hygiene supplies.

Team members on the ground have also shown remarkable courage, resilience, and selflessness, with over 60 itel volunteers stepping up to help with the cleanup in Montego Bay. The outpouring of support from our global teams in Honduras, Saint Lucia and many others has been nothing short of astounding, with many team members eager to coordinate support efforts across sites, collect and donate supplies, and gather monetary donations.

We have already started early relief efforts, launching Rise for Resilience through our 4Ys Foundation, a coordinated recovery initiative providing immediate relief, as well as long-term rebuilding support for itel team members and their families.  Funds are currently being used to assemble care packages with critical supplies– an immediate lifeline for itel team members and their households.

Help “Build a Bag” For Employee Relief

To aid Jamaica’s recovery, we are focusing on immediate relief, everyday items our employees need but may not be able to access, as well as extra supplies for those with small children, like baby formula and diapers.

We have put together relief bags that contain essentials such as flour, sugar, rice, canned goods, sources of protein, as well as sanitary supplies such as soap and tissue. Items are locally sourced through Kingston vendors, to support Jamaican businesses and ensure that supplies reach people in a timely manner. So far, we have distributed hundreds of bags that are a critical lifeline for our Jamaican employees.

But, for many individuals, the road to recovery will take some time. By donating, you can help “build a bag” for an itel team member, which can make an immediate difference in their life. Contributions will also help fund more long-term recovery projects, such as rebuilding employee homes and repairing roofs.

You can be a part of Jamaica’s recovery. One bag, One Love - that's how we rise. Donate today.