Sat | Nov 22, 2025

Couples Resorts sets up disaster relief fund as more than 100 staff lose homes

Published:Wednesday | November 19, 2025 | 12:06 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
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Alexandra Ghisays, Issa Trust Foundation board member, along with the team from Couples Tower Isle, preparing to distribute care packages to the staff of the hotel last Friday.
Contributed
Alexandra Ghisays, Issa Trust Foundation board member, along with the team from Couples Tower Isle, preparing to distribute care packages to the staff of the hotel last Friday.
Paul Issa, chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, along with Rob Barkema, Advisory Board member and volunteer Dirk Bartolazzi of Bartolazzi Homes and Couples Swept Away employee, Tishon Wilson and her colleagues from the Maintenance Department take a break
Contributed
Paul Issa, chairman of the Issa Trust Foundation, along with Rob Barkema, Advisory Board member and volunteer Dirk Bartolazzi of Bartolazzi Homes and Couples Swept Away employee, Tishon Wilson and her colleagues from the Maintenance Department take a break from repairing her home in Frome, Westmoreland, which was destroyed by Hurricane Melissa. Her house was the first to be fully repaired, with just windows left to be installed, with the help of donations from Couples Resorts guests and a matching amount of US$100,000 from Couples Resorts, totalling approximately US$375,000 (J$6M) with all proceeds going towards assisting Couples staff recover from the affects of the Hurricane.
Rob Barkema, Advisory Board Member of the Issa Trust Foundation, with volunteer Dirk Bartolazzi examining Couples Swept Away employee Tishon Wilson’s destroyed home in Frome, Westmoreland, after which it was fully repaired, with just windows remaining to
Contributed
Rob Barkema, Advisory Board Member of the Issa Trust Foundation, with volunteer Dirk Bartolazzi examining Couples Swept Away employee Tishon Wilson’s destroyed home in Frome, Westmoreland, after which it was fully repaired, with just windows remaining to be installed.
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WESTERN BUREAU:

Couples Resorts has launched a multimillion-dollar relief initiative to support employees and surrounding communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa, which struck western Jamaica on October 28 and caused severe damage across Hanover and Westmoreland.

Although the company’s properties escaped major structural harm and plan to reopen on December 1, the personal losses among staff have been extensive. More than 100 employees lost their homes, many others suffered significant structural damage, and numerous families are now without food, clean water, electricity, bedding, and other essentials.

In response, the Issa Trust Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Couples Resorts, has created the Couples Resorts Community Disaster Relief Fund. The fund has already raised over US$300,000, including a US$100,000 contribution from the company, with additional support coming from long-time international guests and partners.

“For more than 45 years, this has been a proudly Jamaican, family-run brand. When our community is hurting, we feel it deeply,” said Abe Issa, deputy chairman of Couples Resorts. “While we’re grateful our resorts were spared major damage, many of the incredible people who make them special have experienced real hardship. Through the Issa Trust Foundation, we’re committed to helping them recover and rebuild their lives.”

Since the hurricane, Couples Resorts has redirected its operational efforts towards relief. The company has begun distributing care packages with food, water, batteries, hygiene supplies, and other necessities to employees whose homes were destroyed or flooded.

More than 100 displaced workers are now receiving temporary housing arranged by the company. Couples has also guaranteed four weeks of wages for all staff during the recovery period even as some operations remain paused.

DAMAGE-ASSESSMENT PROGRAMME

A structured damage-assessment programme is guiding how relief is allocated. Each affected employee’s home is being inspected to determine the extent of loss, with grants offered for rebuilding materials, roof repairs, electrical restoration, and replacement of essential household items.

Couples is also partnering with World Central Kitchen, local water suppliers, and Jamaican distributors to deliver meals, drinking water, and emergency supplies not only to staff but also to residents in surrounding communities where access remains difficult due to blocked roads and damaged infrastructure.

Diane Pollard, president and CEO of the Issa Trust Foundation, said the surge of donations and messages from overseas guests underscores the strong bond many travellers feel with Jamaica and the Couples brand.

“We’ve been deeply moved by the compassion shown by so many,” she said. “People who have visited Couples for years, some who were married here or spent their honeymoons with us, are reaching out, wanting to help. This is just the beginning, with a long way still to go, so continued contribution, no matter the size, helps a family get back on their feet.”

Hurricane Melissa left parts of Negril, Green Island, Little London, and several rural districts severely hit by flooding, collapsed roofs, crop destruction, and widespread power outages. While tourism infrastructure in Negril largely held, many workers live in vulnerable communities that did not.

To focus fully on recovery, Couples Resorts has temporarily paused guest arrivals. All properties remain structurally sound and are expected to reopen on December 1, 2025, once conditions stabilise.

Couples has set up a dedicated webpage, couples.com/hurricane-melissa, where guests can track updates on reopening plans. Donations can be made via IssaTrustFoundation.com, with all funds channeled directly to recovery and rebuilding efforts.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com