For the past few nights we've been showing you the massive devastation that Hurricane Irma caused in the northern Caribbean and Cuba - killing at least 44 people and leaving thousands homeless.
If you're wondering how you can help, the Belize Red Cross says don't send canned food and blankets, give money.
In a release issued today the Belize Red Cross says, quote, "at this time, the Belize Red Cross is not able to assist with the collection and distribution of in-kind donations. In the meantime, donations can be made to the disaster fund accounts at the following banks in Belize. Funds collected will be transmitted to the IFRC to assist with the disaster relief efforts in the affected areas." Those accounts are in the Belize Bank, Atlantic Bank, Scotiabank and Heritage Bank.
And, indeed, the need is great. On the small island of Barbuda alone, 90% of the housing stock has been destroyed, leaving 1,800 persons without shelter. In Cuba 10 died and hundreds of thousands of people there and in Puerto Rico are without power - and could be so for weeks. The British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, as well as duty and French Saint Martin and St Barts as well as St Kitts and Nevis suffered substantial damage.
In this story from ABS News in Antigua - a Barbadian couple that was vacationing in French St. Martin explains what it was like when the storm descended on them last week:
The Willocks were in French St. Martin where four people died and authorities estimate 60% of homes are uninhabitable.
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