More than two weeks have passed since Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico, yet most Americans fail to acknowledge the suffering of 3.4 million fellow citizens.
Landing just weeks after Hurricane Irma battered the island, Hurricane Maria pummeled through Puerto Rico as a Category 4 storm, with wind speed reaching up to 155 mph. Heavy downpours and storm surges caused massive flooding in the coastal and low-lying areas, leaving most of the land in shambles.
An American territory, Puerto Rico is entitled to the same federal aid as any state, yet federal response has been lackluster compared to the relief efforts for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, CNN reports. Fewer Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel are in place, with 10,000 personnel on ground to coordinate relief efforts compared to 31,000 for Harvey and 40,000 for Irma. Major infrastructure damages delayed the distribution of supplies, leaving remote villages within the island without fresh water, food and medical assistance.Despite the disaster declaration for the territory after Maria hit, Trump claims that delivering aid to Puerto Rico will be harder than Texas or Florida “because it’s an island.”
Trump’s long-anticipated visit to the island on Tuesday, October 3rd was met with heavy criticism. At a meeting with government officials, Trump downplays the effect of the catastrophe, claiming that everyone should be “very proud of low death toll” compared to the “thousands” from Hurricane Katrina that devastated Louisiana in 2003.
“I would hope that the President of the United States stop sprouting out comments that really hurt the people of Puerto Rico.” San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz comments, “Because rather than commander-in-chief, he sort of becomes miscommunicator-in-chief.
Maria – the strongest hurricane to hit Puerto Rico in 80 years and the fifth-strongest hurricane to hit US soil – resulted in 16 casualties, and is expected to rise as communication within the island improves. As of September 30th, only 45% of the population has access to drinking water, 5% has access to electrical power and half of major roadways are cleared, USA Today reports. Death tolls are expected to rise as rough conditions continue plague the outer regions of the territory.
To help fellow Americans affected by Hurricane Maria, donate to these following charities:
UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/donate/disaster-relief-help-protect-children-harm/32787
American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/about-us/our-work/disaster-relief/hurricane-relief/hurricane-maria-relief-information
Dominica Hurricane Relief Fund: http://www.dominicarelief.org/
GlobalGiving: https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/hurricane-maria-caribbean-relief-fund/
Save the Children: https://secure.savethechildren.org/site/c.8rKLIXMGIpI4E/b.9535647/k.A2B9/Hurricane_Maria_Childrens_Relief_Fund/apps/ka/sd/donor.asp
Unidos por Puerto Rico: http://unidosporpuertorico.com/en/