Kingston, 27 November 2025 – The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia Grange, has announced that the I Love Jamaica Telethon has raised more than 65 million dollars towards the national hurricane Melissa relief programme.

The I Love Jamaica Telethon and Virtual Concert took place on Sunday and was broadcast on national television and streamed across the world via social media.

In announcing the result of the fund-raising effort, Minister Grange explained that “45 million dollars ($45,765,495) had already been received and deposited to the Support Jamaica account, and we anticipate that an additional sum of approximately 20 million dollars ($19,970,000), which has been pledged, would be received soon.”

The Minister expressed appreciation to all those who supported the fund-raising telethon.

“Thank you to the man and the woman in the street on the island and in the Diaspora as well as members of corporate Jamaica, and the people of the world who are rallying in every way possible to support our brothers and sisters who were hardest hit by this most powerful of hurricanes,” said Minister Grange.

The I Love Jamaica Telethon and Virtual Concert was the result of a collaboration between members of the entertainment fraternity and the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport. It featured almost 30 of Jamaica’s leading Reggae, Dancehall and Gospel artistes.

Minister Grange thanked them for contributing their time, talent, and financial resources towards the national hurricane relief effort. “We in Jamaica are lucky to have such committed, generous, patriotic, compassionate and caring people in our entertainment fraternity, including sports stars and broadcasters, who never let us down in times of crises,” said the Minister who also commended Red Stripe and Digicel for their pivotal role in the staging of the telethon and virtual concert.

“The telethon reminded us that Jamaica’s greatest strength has always been its people. Watching viewers at home and across the Diaspora rally in support reaffirmed why, for over a century, Red Stripe has stood with our communities in good times and in hardship. Recovery won’t happen overnight, but together we are helping families rebuild and regain their footing,” said Red Stripe Head of Commerce, Sean Wallace.

Head of Marketing at Digicel, Nicholette McFarlane, said: “It was an absolute honour for Digicel to be a part of the I Love Jamaica relief initiative, and we are truly proud to see how Jamaicans all over the world rallied together when it matters most. As the saying goes, “One han’ cyaa clap” and the success of this event, along with the positive impact it will have, is a true reflection of our community spirit and resilience as a people. We extend heartfelt gratitude to all our partners, donors, supporters, entertainers, and everyone who made this possible—thank you. Let’s continue to stand together, lend a helping hand, and give back in any way we can. Thank you, Jamaica!”

The Minister said people could still donate to the national hurricane relief programme at any time through supportjamaica.gov.jm or japromise.org.

Donations are also being accepted through text messaging. To donate $150, text “GIVE” to 876-444-5501; to donate $1,000 text “GIVE” to 876-444-5502; and to donate $5,000 text “GIVE” to 876-444-5503.

The telethon and virtual concert are among activities to be staged under the I Love Jamaica fund-raising initiative. The I Love Jamaica initiative includes a series of in-person concerts in major world cities with strong Jamaican populations including London, New York and Miami.

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