AN urgent Hurricane Irma fundraiser is being held for the tens of thousands of Barbuda natives forced to evacuate the island for Antigua.

The category five hurricane ravaged the island earlier this month as the storm reached 155mph, causing a significant humanitarian crisis and killing three people.

Feeling helpless, Fiona Sparks, of Mersea, was moved to act and is hosting an afternoon tea tomorrow to raise funds for the Caribbean people affected.

She said: "My former work in the yachting industry allowed me to spend a lot of time on these islands. My son Blake also has family in the British Virgin Islands, including his father and grandparents.

"They've survived the hurricane, but told me in the little communication we've had of the dire situation. It's total devastation.

"A police officer from Mersea is there at the moment and he compared it to a nuclear explosion.

"There's no vegetation, everything is dead or destroyed, and they're wading through water knee-deep because of the floods. The damp conditions have also caused a mosquito infestation.

"Everything they try to do is being undone by something else happening."

Gazette:

A woman pushing floodwater from her home in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda. Photo: AP/ Johnny Jno-Baptiste

Tropical storm Maria is expected to devastate Barbuda again with Guadeloupe, Antigua, Barbuda, St Kitts, Nevis, and Montserrat on hurricane alert.

By a stroke of luck, Fiona, 41, has linked up with Kestrel Liner Agencies, a worldwide shipping company, which is sending containers of supplies to the Caribbean each Tuesday for free.

People are being asked to donate non-perishable foods, personal sanitary items, DIY equipment and larger objects like plywood, roofing materials, windows and doors.

Help is also needed to move these items from Mersea to Barking ready for shipping.

She said: "The aid is getting through, but the difficulty is the roads are all damaged so smaller communities are isolated. The lack of communication means people aren't aware the aid is there.

"However, everyone is pulling together. These situations show what great things human spirit can achieve.

"Hopefully, what we're doing will make a difference."

The event will be at the MICA centre, High Street, West Mersea, from 12pm until 4.30pm.

For the full list of items needed for shipping, contact Fiona Sparks on 07752932627 or email fiona@shoresideprocurement.com.