Caribbean islands in chaos as slow Irma disaster response keeps thousands without food, water and power

Chaos still reigned in much of the storm-tossed Caribbean on Monday, as food and water shortages, power outages and rampant looting across several islands sparked angry criticism from residents who demanded more government help.

With a lack of basic services straining the bonds of law and order, France, Britain and the Netherlands were castigated for slow responses — despite sending some troops and promising financial aid packages.

At least 36 people were killed in the Caribbean when Irma — towering at its full Category 5 force — tore through Barbuda, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Martin and St. Barts, the Bahamas, Cuba and other islands.

Thousands were left without power from the massive storm surges and 185 mph winds on their way to wreak havoc in Key West and South Florida.

Chaos still reigned in much of the storm-tossed Caribbean on Monday, as food and water shortages, power outages and rampant looting across several islands sparked angry criticism from residents who demanded more government help.

With a lack of basic services straining the bonds of law and order, France, Britain and the Netherlands were castigated for slow responses — despite sending some troops and promising financial aid packages.

At least 36 people were killed in the Caribbean when Irma — towering at its full Category 5 force — tore through Barbuda, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, St. Martin and St. Barts, the Bahamas, Cuba and other islands.

Thousands were left without power from the massive storm surges and 185 mph winds on their way to wreak havoc in Key West and South Florida.

But across many Caribbean islands, coordination of emergency responses remained spotty — hampered in many places by a lack of power — which opened the door for looting as supplies grew short.

Jenn Manes, who lives on St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, detailed a list of robberies and break-ins after Irma.

“This is not St. John anymore. I’m not sure what it is. What I do know is that I am scared. My friends are scared. And we don’t know what to do,” she wrote on a blog she maintains about island life.

Billionaire Richard Branson, who rode out Irma inside the wine cellar of his mansion in the British Virgin Islands, called for a “Marshall Plan” to help rebuild the region.

“We must get more help to the islands to rebuild homes and infrastructure and restore power, clean water and food supplies,” Branson, head of the Virgin Group conglomerate, wrote on his website from Puerto Rico, where he was mobilizing aid efforts.

The British government had a “massive role to play” in rebuilding its territories, Branson wrote.

Orlando Smith, premier of the British Virgin Islands, said the situation was “critical” as he asked for immediate aid from the British government.

Britain sent 500 British troops and set aside $42 million in aid to its territories.

Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday defended Britain’s response to an “unprecedented catastrophe.” The government will soon add to its initial $42 million earmark, he said.

French President Emmanuel Macron will visit the upended French island of St Martin on Tuesday. France sent almost 1,000 medical, military and police personnel to the region, which includes the ritzy vacation island of St. Barts