Disney Breaks Silence With a $1M Pledge After Hurricane Melissa

In the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact on Jamaica, The Walt Disney Company has announced a major contribution to support recovery and relief efforts across the island. In a press release issued today, the company confirmed it is “committing $1 million to assist with critical relief and recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica.”

According to Disney, the donation will “assist Disney cast and crew in the region, as well as nonprofits providing immediate aid including UNICEF USA, World Central Kitchen and Good360.” The funds are designated to “help provide emergency supplies, food, shelter and other essential services to families and communities working to rebuild after the storm.”

The announcement comes as Jamaica continues to assess the widespread damage caused by the hurricane, which brought destructive winds, flooding, and infrastructure challenges across the country. Disney’s support will not only reach communities in need through global humanitarian organizations but will also directly benefit Disney employees and their families affected by the storm.

Disney’s Ongoing Ties to Jamaica

For Disney, the relief effort carries personal significance. “Disney Cruise Line has maintained a port presence in Jamaica for over a decade,” the company noted in its statement. Jamaica is a frequent stop on several Disney Cruise Line itineraries, particularly through the popular port of Falmouth, a key destination for Caribbean voyages. Over the years, Disney has developed strong relationships with the island’s port authorities, tourism industry, and local communities that serve as partners for its cruise operations.

That longstanding connection makes the company’s $1 million commitment both a corporate and community-driven gesture — reflecting Disney’s broader philosophy of supporting regions where it operates.

Bob Iger Responds to the Crisis

In the statement, Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed sympathy and solidarity with those affected by the storm. “Our hearts go out to the people of Jamaica who have experienced such terrible devastation from Hurricane Melissa, including our Disney employees and their families who call the island home,” said Iger. “We hope this contribution and the ongoing support from our team will serve as a source of relief and comfort for those in need at this difficult time.”

Iger’s message underscores Disney’s focus on humanitarian aid and corporate social responsibility, particularly during natural disasters. His remarks also highlight the company’s personal investment in the well-being of its cast members — the term Disney uses to refer to employees — across its global network.

NEW: Disney announces a $1 million contribution to assist with relief and recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica. pic.twitter.com/eqMF6gDjwA

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) October 31, 2025

Supporting Relief Organizations on the Ground

Disney’s $1 million contribution will be distributed among several key humanitarian partners known for their rapid and effective disaster response efforts. These include:

• UNICEF USA, which supports children and families in crisis through health, nutrition, education, and emergency services.
• World Central Kitchen, the nonprofit founded by Chef José Andrés, which provides fresh meals to people impacted by natural disasters and emergencies worldwide.
• Good360, an organization that coordinates the delivery of critical goods, including household supplies, clothing, and hygiene products, to affected communities.

Each organization plays a vital role in addressing different aspects of disaster relief, from emergency response and logistics to long-term community rebuilding. By partnering with these established groups, Disney’s donation ensures that aid reaches both immediate victims and broader recovery programs in the most effective way possible.

Disney’s Broader Disaster Relief Efforts

The company emphasized that this contribution is part of its long-standing commitment to disaster relief and community recovery initiatives worldwide. “This donation is part of the year-round support Disney provides during times of crisis and natural disasters that impact communities where we live and work,” the statement reads.

Among the company’s key initiatives is the Disney Employee Relief Fund, which provides direct assistance to Disney employees — including cast and crew members — facing crises or personal emergencies. The fund has historically helped employees recover from hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters affecting regions where Disney has a presence.

Through this program and its corporate giving partnerships, Disney has built a reputation for stepping in during moments of need. From providing millions in aid to hurricane-affected regions in Florida and the Caribbean, to mobilizing its global workforce for volunteer efforts, Disney’s role in crisis response has become a core aspect of its corporate identity.

Continuing a Tradition of Giving Back

Disney’s donation to Hurricane Melissa relief efforts follows a pattern of similar actions in recent years. When hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters have impacted areas home to Disney operations, the company has frequently mobilized financial aid, in-kind donations, and volunteer support.

In 2022, for example, Disney provided significant support to areas in Florida affected by Hurricane Ian, including assistance for local relief organizations and impacted cast members. The company has also extended aid internationally — including to regions in the Bahamas and Puerto Rico — through both financial contributions and partnerships with established humanitarian organizations.

The latest donation reinforces Disney’s commitment to Jamaica and its broader Caribbean network, where the company’s cruise line operations bring millions of visitors each year.

Helping Cast Members and Communities Rebuild

Disney noted that this most recent relief effort will prioritize both external and internal support, providing assistance for local nonprofits while ensuring that Disney’s own cast, crew, and employees in the region receive the help they need to recover.

“Our hearts go out to the people of Jamaica who have experienced such terrible devastation,” Iger reiterated, underscoring that Disney’s employees — many of whom live in areas directly affected by Hurricane Melissa — are a core part of the company’s focus.

This dual approach mirrors Disney’s global philosophy of integrating its workforce into its larger humanitarian strategy, ensuring that corporate giving extends beyond donations and into community engagement.

A Continued Commitment to Caribbean Communities

As Disney Cruise Line expands its presence in the Caribbean — including upcoming destinations like Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point in the Bahamas — the company has increasingly emphasized the importance of giving back to the port communities it visits.

For guests and fans wishing to learn more about how Disney supports port communities and ongoing disaster relief efforts, the company directs them to “visit DisneyExperiences.com and Disney Cruise Line Crew & Community on Facebook.”

By investing in both its employees and its partner communities, Disney continues to strengthen the link between its entertainment brand and its global humanitarian work.

Looking Ahead

As Jamaica begins the long process of rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Disney’s contribution stands as a reminder of the company’s broader role beyond its theme parks, movies, and cruises. With a $1 million donation supporting food, shelter, and recovery efforts, Disney joins the global relief community in ensuring that one of the Caribbean’s most beloved destinations receives the assistance it needs to recover.

And for the thousands of Disney employees, partners, and residents affected, the message from the company’s leadership is clear — help is on the way.