17 September 2008

Less than two weeks after Hurricane Ike began tearing across the Caribbean, the British Red Cross continues to appeal for donations to its Hurricane Appeal.

The appeal has now raised more than £110,000 net, including £25,000 from the people of Jersey through the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission.

However, as Red Cross delegates assess long-term needs across the region, it is clear that more money is needed to help people who have lost everything.

Destruction in the Caribbean

The British Red Cross has sent a team of four disaster management experts to the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British Overseas Territory. The team is working with local volunteers to distribute relief supplies to the most vulnerable people, including tarps, bed nets and water.The Red Cross is also sending a flight of kitchen sets, shelter equipment and clothes this week.

In Cuba, Hurricanes Gustav and Ike caused serious damage to buildings and infrastructure across the entire island. An estimated 320,000 houses have been destroyed or damaged.

In the Bahamas, the islands of Inagua and Mayaguana were hit hardest by Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike, with 500 families' homes severely damaged. The Red Cross is particularly concerned that a salt plant which employs the majority of the inhabitants on Inagua was damaged, posing a threat to people's livelihoods.

Relief in Haiti

In Haiti, volunteers were prepared to hand out 2,000 family kits before the hurricanes hit. The Red Cross is also distributing food, water and jerry cans. 

Marie-Louise Belanger, communications officer in Haiti, said: "The hurricanes have killed hundreds of people, led to thousands more being displaced and have destroyed countless homes and buildings. The widespread destruction of agricultural crops has also increased concerns about food security on the island."Volunteers and staff from the Haiti Red Cross have been working tirelessly to evacuate people from the hurricanes' path, provide shelter and distribute relief items in the affected areas."

Increasingly vulnerable people

She continued: "Schools have been closed and many are being used as shelters. However, many do not have energy, latrines, water or food and the people sleeping in them are increasingly vulnerable.

"The disasters have had a huge impact on the already vulnerable people of Haiti, which is the poorest nation in Latin America."

More about the Caribbean Hurricane Appeal

What we are doing to help

Contacting family in the Caribbean

Blog from Turks and Caicos Islands