July 28, 2026

ODPEM clarifies that Support Jamaica website is an official Government platform and is not owned by a private company

The Support Jamaica website is not owned by a private company but is an official Government of Jamaica platform.

That clarification came from the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) in the wake of comments by Director General Commander Alvin Gayle at Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee meeting last week.

It was stated that the website is owned by the private developers who created it and that they retain access to information, including the names of donors and the amounts contributed.

The issue has sparked public concern about the website and implications for data security, among other things.

In a statement today, ODPEM’s Board Chairman Trudy Deans clarified that the developer, Amber provided the technology, hosting and technical support during a national emergency, but it did not receive, hold or control donated funds, nor does it own donor information.

Deans said where a gap is identified, the board will act to correct it and strengthen the relevant systems.

She said the migration was not completed as agreed, and that the agency is taking immediate action to house the Government’s data.

Deans noted that ODPEM must uphold the public’s right to transparency, while ensuring that the facts are accurately represented, adding that Jamaicans and donors deserve accurate information, proper accounting and visible results.

She said the board’s direction is clear: complete the transfer, correct the governance gaps, manage donor information, account fully for the funds received and ensure that the generosity shown to Jamaica produces tangible and measurable benefits for the people who need them.

According to the statement from ODPEM, following recent parliamentary discussions and a public response which did not fully set out the contractual, technical and financial arrangements, the agency reviewed the relevant agreements and operational framework

ODPEM said Support Jamaica is an official Government of Jamaica disaster relief and recovery platform operating under the Government’s “.gov.jm” domain.

It was established as the authorised national portal through which Jamaicans, members of the diaspora, international partners, organisations and friends of Jamaica could support national relief and recovery efforts.

It stated that no private company can own, register or hold a government domain.

The Support Jamaica technology was initially developed by amber, a Jamaican company, following Hurricane Beryl in 2024 under a royalty free licensing arrangement.

After the original donation site had served its purpose, it was decommissioned.

Amber repurposed the technology and scaled to support the national response for Hurricane Melissa.

Amber provided the platform free of charge as a philanthropic contribution to national recovery not as a paid contract and has continued to provide hosting, software maintenance and technical support at its own cost.

Under the software-as-a-service arrangement, Amber serves as the technology provider, while the Government, through ODPEM, is authorised to use and operate the platform for official national disaster-relief and recovery purposes.

The use of a private technology provider does not alter the Government status of the platform.

Support Jamaica is an official Government of Jamaica platform operating under ODPEM’s authority.

ODPEM said Amber has never received, held or controlled funds donated through Support Jamaica.

The platform serves only as the digital interface through which donations are initiated.