The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) is to deliver emergency aid to the south-east of Cuba, where Hurricane Sandy wrought widespread damage. It was "the worst catastrophe in 50 years in Santiago de Cuba," WFP spokeswoman Elisabeth Byrs said. The WFP is also appealing for $20m (£12.5) to help some 425,000 Haitians affected by the storm.
Sandy caused widespread damage to infrastructure, crops and livestock in both Haiti and Cuba. The WFP is planning to work with the Cuban government to distribute emergency one-month aid in Santiago de Cuba, which is home to 500,000 residents. The hurricane, which hit Cuba on 25 October and left 11 people dead, brought down many buildings and knocked out the electricity.