RIU, World Central Kitchen serve thousands of hot meals to Melissa survivors
Published:Saturday | November 8, 2025 | 12:09 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
When Category 5 Hurricane Melissa tore through Jamaica on October 28, thousands of families were left without electricity, gas, or clean water.
In the storm’s aftermath, RIU Resorts Jamaica has joined forces with World Central Kitchen (WCK) to ensure that one thing many Jamaicans would not have to worry about is a warm meal.
From Montego Bay to Negril and along the ravaged south coast, RIU’s hotel kitchens have become lifelines of comfort and nourishment.
“We were contacted by World Central Kitchen, and it was the perfect way to help,” said Frank Sondern, regional director for RIU Hotels & Resorts Jamaica. “Our hotels are either closed or operating with reduced occupancy, so we’re using our kitchens to prepare meals for distribution.”
On Wednesday alone, RIU chefs produced 3,628 meals, followed by another 3,000 the next day.
“They pick up the meals from our hotels and distribute them where the need is greatest,” Sondern explained. “If people can get a meal and some water, they can focus on rebuilding their homes. It eases the mind to know that food is covered.”
SERVING MANY COMMUNITIES
According to Crisina Campbell, RIU Jamaica’s corporate social responsibility officer, the partnership has already reached multiple communities.
“We’ve served areas like Lilliput, Rose Hall in St James, and in Westmoreland, communities such as Ramble, Blauwearie, York Bush, and others,” Campbell said. “The list changes daily as World Central Kitchen reports where the needs are greatest.”
Each RIU property currently commits to preparing about 2,000 meals per day, though Campbell noted that number could rise once staffing stabilises.
“Some of our employees have suffered tremendous loss,” she said, “but as our capacity improves, we’ll increase production to reach even more people.”
In Negril, Julia Casas, general manager of RIU Palace Tropical Bay, said that while RIU’s hotels suffered only minimal damage, many staff members lost roofs or entire homes.
“We’re gathering information from our workers to see who has been affected and how badly,” Casas shared. “We’re preparing care packages and will assist with repairs to their houses.”
Casas also spoke about the partnership with WCK, stating that they are cooking meals for the communities “because we care about our workers and neighbours”.
She confirmed that RIU Negril will reopen November 15, followed by RIU Montego Bay on November 20, and RIU Palace Tropical Bay and RIU Reggae on November 30.
“Our hotels in Negril are in good condition,” Casas stressed. “The beach and pools are fine; we’re just waiting for full electricity. We look forward to welcoming guests back soon.”
Both Sondern and Campbell said RIU intends to keep supporting WCK “for as long as the need persists”.
“We see what our own employees and neighbours are going through,” Sondern said. “If we can help provide even one warm meal a day, that’s one less worry for families trying to start over.”