Humanitarian workers take aid to 'desperate' Jamaica

Khalsa Aid is sending help to communities in Jamaica which have been cut off by the impact of the hurricane

A Berkshire-based charity is sending humanitarian workers and aid to Jamaica to help communities devastated by Hurricane Melissa.

Khalsa Aid, headquartered in Slough, is offering its support after the Jamaican government announced at least 19 people had been killed since the hurricane struck on Tuesday.

The charity's founder, Ravi Singh, said the situation on the ground is "desperate", with authorities ramping up efforts to clear roads and reach people in isolated and cut-off areas.

Mr Singh said teams from Khalsa Aid will be arriving on Sunday, travelling from the UK, US and Canada to help.

Speaking to Radio Berkshire, he said: "We're in touch with local organisations and churches, we had a meeting online.

"First thing they asked for is food, shelter, water, which is essential.

"Also, a lot of the communities have been cut off and without power, they're asking how much help can we give."

Ravi Singh said working with local people, organisations and churches was the best way to get "stuck in"

Khalsa Aid will provide emergency food, water and generators, said Mr Singh, adding that if helicopters are required to reach people, the charity will hire them.

"They are stating from the ground that this situation is very desperate, people are basically waiting for aid, the government's doing all they can," he said.

"Everyone is trying to chip in but it's quite a large disaster and a very isolated area as well, so we are going to be going very strongly, very organised.

"We are on the way, we will be on the ground and we will do what we can with local organisations.

"As someone doing this 26 years, local knowledge is the key and we are very blessed to have local knowlegde to just get stuck in."

The roads in Black River, western Jamaica, are heavily damaged and overcrowded