Bermuda residents have offered their support to the devastated Caribbean nation Haiti, as its people are today bracing for a hurricane to strike.

Yesterday thousands of people in the capital Port au Prince were urged to leave their tents and find sturdier shelter before Tropical Storm Tomas hit.

The storm was expected to reach hurricane force by the time it reached Haiti and could bring heavy rains and flooding. The country is still recovering from an earthquake on January 12 and recent cholera outbreak.

Several local residents who spoke to The Royal Gazette said their thoughts and prayers were with the Haitian people in this difficult time.

Wesly Guiteau, originally from the Caribbean nation, said he was feeling both frustrated and concerned for the lives of those exposed to the hurricane.

He questioned why the Haitian Government, United Nations and non-governmental organisations had been on the ground for seven months, yet "nothing had been done".

He said debris from the earthquake had still not be cleaned up, people were still living in tents and lining up to get help.

"I think people have the power to change their lives and they should use it. Unfortunately in Haiti that is not the case.

"I am frustrated but I am also hoping the world will continue to come together to help the Haitian people but more importantly that the Haitian people will be wise enough to find the kind of leaders that can lead them out of the situation."

Humanitarian Philip Rego who is currently in Haiti building a permanent shelter for an orphanage, also spoke of his concerns.

"Hopefully we will be spared from this hurricane. From my experience it seems like a domino effect so you know the people are resilient to destruction."

Helen Jardine travelled to Haiti with Mr. Rego's charity Feed My Lamb Ministries in July of 2009. She told this paper: "I just hope they are OK. It does seem like they are being hit with one thing after the other.

"I think with the earthquake it brought a lot of attention to the country. It was bringing attention to the region that needed it. The worse thing is for such a poor area just when they are trying to rebuild to be kicked when they are down."

Miss Jardine added: "I hope if they are in a bad way at the end of it people still care enough to help Haiti and not a question of 'get over it because we helped them the last time'."

People who wish to donate their money or time to Mr. Rego's charity can visit www. feedmylambsministries.org.