KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Salvation Army for the Caribbean territory is reportedly working with local governments in the assessment of damage and developing service delivery and recovery planning throughout the region in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

Irma hit the tiny Caribbean island of Barbuda on Wednesday with winds up to 295 kph, causing what Prime Minister Gaston Browne called “absolute devastation”, before moving on to affect other Caribbean islands like St Barts, St Martin, Anguilla, Haiti and Cuba.

In a release yesterday, Salvation Army said its facility in Turks and Caicos is badly damaged, however officer in charge of operations there, Captain Derrick Miller said the organisation was in the process of gathering food and water and obtaining tarpaulins to help with shelter.

Haiti is dealing with flooding in specific regions and the Salvation Army Haiti Division is reportedly mobilising response to affected areas.

The Caribbean Territory serves sixteen countries throughout Caricom including Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, French Guiana, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sint Maarten, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos.

Commissioner Mark Tillsley, territorial commander, has encouraged Salvation Army personnel throughout the Caribbean to give attention to those most vulnerable in the communities, and where possible make Salvation Army facilities available for shelter, support and practical assistance.

Those who wish to assist the organisation may direct your contributions to The Salvation Army, 3 Waterloo Road, PO Box 378, Kingston 10, Jamaica, WI – Attention: Emergency Disaster Services or direct the funds to the following:

Name Of Account: The Salvation Army Donation Account (Savings)

Account Number: 936476

Bank Name: The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Ltd

Bank Address: The Corner of Duke & Port Royal Street, Kingston CSO