People and communities in Cuba, Jamaica, Haiti, the Bahamas and the United States have been badly hit by Hurricane Sandy since 24 October.

An unusual magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck in central Virginia on the afternoon of 23 August 2011 significantly damaged the central tower of Washington National Cathedral.

The UK-based international development agency Christian Aid is making £50,000 available to local partner organisations in Jamaica and Haiti to support their post-hurricane relief efforts. Churches worldwide have responded to the disaster.