The damage wrought by Hurricanes Frances and Ivan shows just how fragile small islands are to hurricanes.

Bermuda, which suffered last year from Hurricane Fabian last year, should do what it can to assist those islands that have been so badly damaged or are still facing the fury of Ivan.

Grenada, in particular, has been devastated by Ivan and all Bermuda residents should contribute to the relief fund set up by the Red Cross to assist its population.

Islands like Bermuda and the Bahamas, which was hit by Frances last week, will almost always bounce back more quickly from natural disasters like hurricanes because of the superiority of their infrastructures and the greater wealth that they have to hand.

Not so Grenada or Jamaica, which Ivan hit over the weekend. With per capita income which is a fifth or less than Bermuda residents enjoy, recovery is that much harder.

Bermuda's Fabian "miracle" was caused in part by the community coming together, but an efficient insurance system, a strong economy and healthy Government finances and the fact that the Island was not competing with other countries for relief all played a part as well.

Rightly or wrongly, Bermuda was able to turn down offers of assistance from the Royal Navy and others. The images coming out of Grenada show that that kind of self-sufficiency is just not possible.

Now Grenada, Jamaica and even the Cayman Islands need Bermuda's help, and we are able to give it. We should.

If pure altruism is not sufficient incentive, then the thought that "there but for the grace of God go I" and the fact that Bermuda already knows just what kind of power a hurricane can bring should be enough.

This newspaper had and continues to have reservations about the Island's associate membership in the Caribbean Community. But because it is a member, and because Caricom may be the best vehicle for distributing aid to those countries hit by the hurricanes, Government should work with the organisation to ensure that those who need help most get it.

The same is true of Cuba. Again, this newspaper has deep reservations about Government's expanded ties with that country. But that should not prevent the Island from offering aid to those who need it.

This is no different from the Bermuda Electric Light Company, which through its membership in the Caribbean electricity organisation Carilec, is obliged to give assistance to its fellow members. Belco benefited from Carilec's help last year. Now it is giving something back, and rightly so.

To be sure, Florida has been hard hit by hurricanes this year as well. But Bermuda should put its focus on the Caribbean because economically, they are much more vulnerable. And the US Government will pour millions into Florida, but far less into its Caribbean neighbours.

That's not wrong, but it is the reality of the situation. And it is inevitable that Americans will focus much more on Florida ? as its media has already demonstrated ? than the Caribbean.

So Bermuda and others need to step up to the plate.