JAMAICA EMERGENCY APPEAL

Islamic Relief is launching an appeal after Jamaica was battered by a powerful hurricane.

Hurricane Melissa made landfall on Tuesday 28 October as a category five hurricane – the strongest storm to hit the island nation in modern history.

Hurricane Melissa’s windspeeds are estimated to have reached as high as 185mph as it made landfall with Jamaica, the BBC reports.

The extent of the damage in still unknown, but three quarters of the island is without power, and some western areas are submerged, according to the BBC.

Jamaica’s prime minister has warned of damage to homes and hospitals, while the tourist hub of Montego Bay is thought to be among the hardest-hit areas.

Islamic Relief is preparing to work through our long-standing partners in the region to assist people whose lives have been devastated by the disaster. We will distribute food parcels as part of the initial response.