Luanda — The association of former Angolan students in Cuba, named "Los Caimaneros", started this Wednesday a campaign to collect funds in Angola to help in the crisis caused by the hurricanes Gustav and Ike in that Caribbean island.

According to a press release signed by its chaiman, Francisco Alberto Geronimo, which ANGOP had access to, the campaign is based on the collection of money and other goods.

Accounts were opened at the Savings and Credit Bank (BPC) and the Commerce and Industry Bank (BCI), with the numbers 0001-214057 and 11272203 respectively, in local currency (kwanza) as well as in US dollars.

Cuban state television said some 2.6 million people, nearly a fourth of the island's population, sought refuge from Ike, which killed four people and damaged hundreds of homes as it swept across the country.

As it left Cuba, Hurricane Ike delivered a severe blow to towns such as Los Palacios, which already suffered a direct hit from Hurricane Gustav on August 30.

In a poor neighbourhood along the train tracks, the combined fury of Ike and Gustav left nearly two-thirds of wooden homes without roofs or completely destroyed.