Télécoms Sans Frontières leverages Viasat connectivity for Jamaica disaster relief operations

11-10-2025

2-minute read

When Hurricane Melissa struck Jamaica on October 28^th, 2025 as the most powerful storm in the island's recorded history, its communications infrastructure was one of the first things to be knocked out. With winds reaching 280 km/h and catastrophic damage across the western region, the storm left affected communities unable to call for help or reach loved ones—and humanitarian organizations faced a critical challenge in coordinating their response.

That's when Télécoms Sans Frontières (TSF), the emergency telecommunications NGO, mobilized into action, equipped with Viasat IsatPhone satellite phones.

Volunteer using Viasat IsatPhone after Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica

When disaster strikes and traditional networks go down, every second counts. Viasat’s corporate sponsor for TSF. "Satellite communication becomes the lifeline that enables heroes like TSF to coordinate rescue efforts, reunite families, and deliver aid where it's needed most. We're honored to support their incredible work on the ground in Jamaica, providing reliable connectivity to save lives and help communities rebuild.

Alison Horrocks, Viasat corporate sponser for TSF

Within just three days of the Category 5 hurricane making landfall, TSF deployed emergency communications teams to Jamaica, carrying reliable satellite technology to reconnect the island after traditional networks failed.

Working alongside the Jamaican Red Cross (JRC) and other humanitarian partners, TSF quickly connected coordination centers in hard-hit areas including Santa Cruz, St. Elizabeth, and Savanna-La-Mar, Westmoreland—enabling humanitarian organizations to organize relief distributions, assess damages, and communicate needs to headquarters in Kingston. Nearby communities were also able to reach their loved ones.

As emergency relief gives way to a longer reconstruction phase, TSF continues to support the JRC. Through a long-term project aimed at strengthening Internet resilience in the region, they are working to improve the resilience of communications in the face of such disasters.

About TSF

TSF is the world's first NGO dedicated to providing emergency telecommunications to humanitarian organizations and affected populations during crises, enabling life-saving communications when traditional infrastructure fails.