NEW YORK • Jennifer Lopez is counting on the men in her romantic life to do the right thing.

Even as the pop star on Sunday offered US$1 million (S$1.35 million) to Puerto Rico as she helped launch an effort by New York state to support the hurricane-battered United States island, she has roped in current flame Alex Rodriguez and former husband Marc Anthony to do more.

Lopez, born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, is donating the money to assorted charities after Hurricane Maria killed at least 33 people in Puerto Rico and Dominica just after the devastation of mega-storm Irma.

"This was the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in nearly 20 years and the damage is horrible," she told a news conference with New York governor Andrew Cuomo.

Lopez, 48, who is dating baseball legend Rodriguez, 42, said the couple were working with athletes to arrange two aircraft to deliver supplies.

Likewise, she and Anthony, 49, are tying up to mobilise more than 30 athletes and artists to get aid to the Caribbean and Mexico in the fastest way possible.

New York-based airline JetBlue also promised US$1 million in-kind by transporting people and cargo for relief efforts.

New York has historically been a hub for Puerto Ricans who move to the mainland United States.

"We know how much destruction has been done and how hard it is going to be to rebuild Puerto Rico," Mr Cuomo said. "We also know that given the financial pressures that the island was under before, it makes the task even more difficult," he added.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE