UK pledges £32m to Hurricane Irma relief effort as second storm threatens worst hit islands

The Government bolstered the funds available to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Irma to £32 million as fears grew that a second storm could smash into the worst hit areas.

Theresa May announced the cash injection to the relief effort after an emergency Cobra committee meeting on Thursday afternoon hours before it emerged Hurricane Jose had strengthened into a Category 3 storm,

Despite being less severe than Category 5 Irma, Jose looks likely to grow even more intense over the next 24 hours, experts said.

Jose's 120 mph winds are heading for the Caribbean with Barbuda, which was devastated by Hurricane Irma this week, directly in its path, they added.

Irma rages on shores of St Martin
EPA

The second hurricane could hamper the efforts of aid workers desperate those to reach those hit by Irma as the fatal storm rages towards Florida.

Donald Trump urged residents to "protect themselves" and added "we don't think we've ever seen anything like this".

The Presidents stark warning came as Mrs May announced the huge funding boost from the UK and sent her “thoughts and prayers” to those affected.

Cash injection: Theresa May announced the UK's contribution to the relief effort
PA

Mrs May said: "No one can fail to be affected by the absolutely desperate plight of people in the Caribbean who have been hit by Hurricane Irma.

“And my thoughts and prayers are with all those affected, particularly with British nationals in the overseas territories of Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands.

"It has been devastating, it is the most powerful storm to hit the Atlantic, it has brought devastation in its wake, it has destroyed buildings and infrastructure but it has had such an impact on people's lives because it has seen people's livelihoods completely destroyed and of course some people are missing and some will have lost loved ones.”

Hurricane Irma - In pictures

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She added the Government would "continue to do what is needed and provide what is necessary" as the storm progresses towards the US.

Mrs May announced the £32 million has now been released to assist the relief effort, up from £12 million, after devastation was unleashed on British overseas territories.

Her announcement came after the Queen sent a heartfelt message to those whose lives have been devastated by the hurricane.

At least 10 people have been killed in the wake of the raging storm, which wreaked havoc as it hit first the islands on Wednesday morning.

Navy ship RFA Mounts Bay, with 40 marines on board, was sent to one of the worst-hit areas after ministers said the region needs “extensive humanitarian assistance”.

Officials say the French and Dutch island territories of St Martin/Sint Maarten have been devastated and the death toll is likely to rise.

There has been no word from many islanders and tourists since the storm cut communications on Wednesday.

Thousands of British nationals and tourists are also believed to be on Anguilla, which was described as having suffered “critical” damage.

A major hospital was destroyed in the US Virgin Islands as the storm sped towards Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Thursday night.

The United Nations Children's Fund warned millions of children could be at risk in those two countries. Irma's eye was 40 miles (65 km) southeast of the Turks and Caicos islands, a British territory, and forecast to hit the Bahamas before moving towards Cuba's sandy keys.

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