The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), has moved to provide relief to member countries affected by Hurricanes through the “Caribbean Tourism Organization Relief Fund” to provide monetary assistance to the impacted member states.
Donate in the USA
Cheques in U.S dollars may be written to Caribbean Tourism Organization Relief Fund and sent to the CTO's New York office located at 80 Broad Street, 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10004, USA.
Funds can be transferred directly to the Caribbean Tourism Organization Relief Fund, JP Morgan Chase Bank, 401 Madison Avenue , New York, NY 10017. The Account number is 000134-651246365 and the routing number is 021000021.
The American Red Cross responded immediately to the call from our Caribbean Red Cross sister societies to help people affected by the series of hurricanes this season. American Red Cross disaster workers are on the ground in Haiti and the Bahamas receiving relief supplies and making sure it gets into the hands of people who need it. We’re also supporting the large-scale operations in Jamaica and Cuba.
Haiti Overview
Since August 26, three major storms—Hurricane Gustav, Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike—have directly hit or passed near Haiti, claiming at least 300 lives and inundating all 10 national departments. Bridges and roads remain washed out; scarce farmland has been destroyed or damaged. Haiti did not take a direct hit from Ike, but with wind speeds of up to 135 mph and intense rains, the storm significantly increased water levels in already-flooded areas. Tens of thousands of people remain in overcrowded shelters in rural and city schools, municipal buildings and churches.
Cuba Overview
Cuba took a one-two punch from Hurricanes Gustav on August 31, affecting sixty percent of the island, and then Ike on September 7, which slowly battered the island over a two-day period, affecting 100 percent of the island nation. Nearly 3 million people- twenty percent of the entire population- evacuated for the storms. Early assessments from the International Federation and the Cuban Red Cross indicate that one in ten Cubans are facing challenges in their housing situation, with 30,000 houses completely destroyed. Nearly 400,000 people remain in state-run shelters, with many also staying with relatives and friends. The infrastructure was badly damaged by both storms.
Bahamas & Jamaica Overview
While recovering from Tropical Storm Hanna, the Bahamas were side-swiped by Hurricane Ike on September 9, severely damaging islands in the southeast district. Nearly ninety percent of the homes on Inagua Island, a community of 1,200 people, were affected, with one in five houses destroyed. Water systems were badly damaged and the main employer, Morton Salt, will be closed for two months. In Jamaica, Hurricane Gustav caused landslides and floods that damaged crops and infrastructure.