​Aid response underway to unfolding humanitarian catastrophe in the Caribbean

Charities have organised appeals to help those whose lives are being devastated by Hurricane Matthew.

Poverty-stricken Haiti has so far borne the brunt of the most powerful Caribbean storm in a decade.

The death toll there stands at 300 – but will almost certainly be far higher.

Thousands have lost homes and livelihoods as winds reached speeds of 145mph.

People will need a lot of support to recover, including cash to rebuild their homes

The worst-hit area is the southwest of Haiti, where scenes of flooding and devastation were described as "truly catastrophic".

Charity aid appeals are now underway, with Christian Aid, Save The Children, Oxfam and the Red Cross all swinging into action.

Prospery Raymond, Christian Aid's country manager in Haiti and the Dominican Republic, said: "People have lost their homes and livelihoods. Livestock were swept away and plantations have been flattened. They will need a lot of support to recover, including cash to rebuild their homes.

"We do not yet know how bad the damage is because there is no communication with the southwest of the island. Some of our colleagues have been unable to get any information about their families there.

"We do know that houses have been destroyed and people have lost most of their belongings. A lot of farms have been flattened - corn and banana crops have been wiped away.

"People will need essential items, such as hygiene kits and blankets, cash and materials to rebuild their homes, as well as seeds and livestock."

Christian Aid and its local partners ensured that shelters had been stocked with food over the weekend before the storms hit.

The main bridge linking capital Port-au-Prince with the southern peninsula was destroyed in the hurricane, creating a communications black-out and hampering aid delivery.

You can help by donating to Christian Aid here, Save The Children here, Oxfam here and the Red Cross here.