Island charities yesterday renewed appeals for donations after the Caribbean was hit by a major hurricane for the second time in just weeks.

Hurricane Maria caused widespread damage in Dominica after making landfall as a Category 5 storm — the highest level possible.

Maria struck just after Hurricane Irma brought devastation to the region.

Now the Bermuda Red Cross, the West Indian Association of Bermuda and the Salvation Army have appealed for more donations.

Susan Moore-Williams, vice-president of the West Indian Association, said: “Certainly in Dominica, the news is very grim.”

She added: “Very often there is a rush of support immediately from international organisations. But it’s an ongoing and sustained effort of targeting relief efforts.

“There is going to be a very long process of reconstructions.”

Ms Moore-Williams, who has friends and colleagues in Dominica, said she had been tracking the progress of the storm.

The last update she received from one friend was at 1am yesterday.

“My friend, who is a judge, she lost the roof of her house and was hunkered down in her car.”

Ms Moore-Williams added: “Our thoughts and prayers are certainly with those now experiencing the effects of Maria.”

She said areas devastated by Hurricane Irma were also in the path of Maria — which made fundraising even more critical.

She explained that the WIA works closely in the community to identify where help is needed.

“How do you begin to help people go back to their normal lives? That is where we intend to focus our efforts.”

Ms Moore-Williams said the WIA is keen to hear from anyone affected by the hurricanes and they could get in touch via Facebook and Instagram.

The organisation will also host a cruise to raise funds for the WIA Caribbean Hurricane Relief Campaign on Saturday from 8pm to midnight.

Ann Spencer-Arscott, executive director of the Bermuda Red Cross, also renewed the international organisation’s appeal for donations.

She said: “It is just as important now as it was ten days ago that people think about what is going on with the islands down south.

“In most cases they are much worse off than we are, even before they were struck.

“Many of them have nothing left in the way of personal possessions, clothing, or anything like that.

“They are in shelters and they are possibly going to be there for months on end until the recovery phase is finished to then allow people to get in and on to properties that have been cleared to start the rebuild.

“This is going to be a very long appeal — I think they are already talking of a three-year project in helping to build homes and things like that. But people are going to be in shelters for a long period of time.”

Ms Spencer-Arscott said she had not had any contact with anyone in Dominica but they had heard from people in Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.

She said: “They’ve had some strong winds and rain but not as catastrophic or to the extent that Irma had reached them.

“Our concern now is more Turks and Caicos because it looks now like the path is going in that direction.”

Ms Spencer-Arscott said the Bermuda Red Cross had been able to raise almost $90,000 through donations, fundraisers and pledges to match donations.

She said offices and schools are having grub days — where participants sell food to raise funds — and added that “a lot of offices have done a double-match versus just a single match, so there is a lot more still to come”.

She added: “People are always very generous.”

Salvation Army divisional commander Major Frank Pittman said the organisation was trying to contact members on the ground in affected areas to co-ordinate relief efforts.

He added: “Each island is establishing their priorities and working with the various governments and organisations.

“There are a number of Salvation Army personnel that are wanting to assist on the ground in the islands, however, logistics and infrastructures are fragile right now.

“There are many who wish to provide in-kind services but at this time monetary donations are the best way to assist.”

• Tickets for the Caribbean Summer Cruise are available at the “The Edge” on Reid Street. For more information, e-mail wiabda@hotmail.com.

Donations can also be made to the West Indies Association’s Bank of Butterfield account 20006 060 870030 100 or to the Bermuda Red Cross through BNTB: 20006 060 663859 200.

The public can also donate to the Salvation Army online at: sar.my/amappeal.

Bermuda Red Cross has also teamed up with Gosling’s for a Happy Hour at Gosling’s Wine Cellar on Friday from 6pm to 9pm.

Price $60 including drinks and nibbles. Auction prizes. Call 236-8253 for tickets.