ICANN Contributes to Emergency Telecommunications Cluster Hurricane Melissa Response
04-Jun-2026
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Source : The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)
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Visits : 77
LOS ANGELES - The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) announced it will contribute nearly $110,000 to the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster (ETC) to support specific ETC activities undertaken to restore emergency connectivity across Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. This funding is specifically directed toward ETC's connectivity restoration work and reflects ICANN's commitment to ensuring critical communication systems remain operational when communities need them most, according to the official website of ICANN.
On October 28, 2025, Hurricane Melissa caused sudden and large-scale disruption of Internet access in Jamaica. The ETC submitted a proposal to ICANN requesting funds to support its response activities in Jamaica following Hurricane Melissa. The ETC is one of three organizations pre-qualified by the ICANN organization to receive funds from its Emergency Assistance Program toward emergency response activities that support access to Internet infrastructure during emergency situations.
The proposal was evaluated against criteria set out in ICANN's Emergency Assistance Program. It met all requirements, and ICANN's current FY26 financial forecast supports this level of resource expenditure.
The ETC's proposal was reviewed against the criteria set out in the Emergency Assistance Program and meets all requirements:
• Event qualification: The request must relate to a large-scale natural or man-made emergency, new or protracted, that has disrupted Internet access or poses an imminent threat to the continuity of Internet connectivity for affected populations.
• Mission alignment: The proposed activities must directly relate to the support or restoration of Internet access, resilience, or recovery in a manner that is consistent with ICANN's mission, fiduciary responsibilities, and the program's objective of safeguarding continued Internet access during emergencies.
• Operational feasibility and accountability: A clear scope of work, timeline, and defined milestones; the capacity to deliver services effectively in the affected location; appropriate monitoring, reporting, and cost-control measures to ensure responsible use of ICANN funds.
• Funding availability: The request must be evaluated against ICANN's financial ability to fund activities.