U.S. Carriers Waive Fees After Hurricane Melissa

Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, ripped through the Caribbean—striking Jamaica, Cuba and Haiti—and has been blamed for at least 30 deaths across those islands as communities begin grieving and rebuilding. Reuters reported the U.S. has offered humanitarian aid to Cuba in the storm’s wake. U.S. carriers have stepped in to help reconnect families: Verizon announced free mobile and landline calling to and from Jamaica, Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas (including many prepaid brands) through Nov. 12 and is waiving roaming charges for customers on the islands. Optimum said it will provide free calls and texts from the U.S. to Jamaica for Optimum Phone and Optimum Mobile customers through Nov. 30, automatically waiving charges to ease communication for the diaspora. Officials and company spokespeople framed the telecom measures as immediate relief to help loved ones share updates and coordinate support while recovery and longer-term rebuilding efforts proceed.