On Tuesday night, September 6th, the category 5 hurricane Irma hit Barbuda at full force. Two nights later another hurricane of similar strength, Jose, brought tropical storms to the same area. Irma is the strongest hurricane to ever pass through the Atlantic, reaching 195 mph wind force and causing irreparable damage to local infrastructure and nature. Thousand of homes have been destroyed; most families displaced. The hospital, school, and churches, so-called "safe shelters" by the local government, are reduced to rubble.

Antigua and Barbuda Search and Rescue (ABSAR) was one of the first organisations to set foot on the devastated island. On Thursday, September 7th, the ABSAR crew of medical and rescue-trained volunteers accompanied a 60ft yacht in bringing emergency supplies and initiating mass evacuation of the island. Paramedics immediately set up a triage station to treat the injured. Fire-trained personnel went door-to-door to search for those who had been displaced. Since then, directors of the organisation have been working around the clock to coordinate the emergency response and get everyone off the island before the arrival of Jose.

As two medical students from London volunteering with ABSAR, we were some of the first people to witness Irma's devastating effect. It has left the island in absolute chaos, with most of the local population rendered homeless, electricity poles stripped onto the ground, and cars and trucks toppled over. There is no way of communicating with the island, as the power lines and telephone towers have been uprooted. The people there are in desperate need for funding to rebuild their homes and attempt to go back to their normal lives.

ABSAR donated most of its medical supplies to the island, despite being itself a donation-based organisation. It has now started a Barbuda Relief Fund, aiming to continue to provide resources to rebuild the island. Funds will be invested in medical supplies, re-establishing communication with the island, and providing emergency responses. Having worked with the organisation for the past month, and having seen the volunteers' complete physical and emotional investment towards their jobs as well as the trust that local people have placed in them, we passionately believe this is the best chance to really help those who have been affected by the hurricane.

Please give generously.