5 years after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona threatens a similar rampage. Hurricane Maria caused $90 billion in damages, destroyed 80% of the country's electricity grid, and left more than 3,000 dead.
What responsibilities does the US owe to Puerto Rico as a territory? Surely, if a state like Hawaii was severely threatened by a natural disaster, the federal government would devote billions to ensuring the islands' safety (climate change notwithstanding).
Well, obligations aside, the US devoted $63 billion to help Puerto Rico in 2017 after Hurricane Maria. Seems generous, but humanitarian crises require immediate and significant funding. Yet 4 years later, 71% of this aid hadn't been received by Puerto Rico, and the territory was still struggling to rebuild. Tens of thousands flocked to America. So, the question is: What can, and should, the US do to help avert a humanitarian crisis in our territory of Puerto Rico?
As Hurricane Fiona begins its tear through Puerto Rico, the US territory, we are left to wonder if Puerto Rico and the US will implement a better response than before.
The US already has 300 emergency helpers in Puerto Rico, but with 70% of households and businesses lacking access to potable water and 2 people already reported dead (and almost certainly more to follow), is this enough?
As a wealthy neighbor to Puerto Rico who benefits from their tourism industry, culture, and immigration, it's only rational for the US to step in and provide significant aid to our territory.
Besides, if Florida can spare $12 million in plane costs to kidnap migrants, we can undoubtedly find room in the budget for an island which desperately needs support.
Sources:
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/puerto-rico-four-years-hurricane-maria-far-recovery-rcna2073
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/19/us/hurricane-fiona-puerto-rico?login=email&auth=login-email
2 comments:
I agree... more money must be allocated to adequate infrastructure funding. The U.S. must address, and be reminded of, the devastation for Puerto Rico after the damages of the recent Hurricane Fiona, on top of unrecovered damages of 2017's Hurricane Maria. The delaying of funds by the Trump Administration has continued, and surely restrictions must be removed in terms of withholding much-needed funds by the federalist government.
I agree, the federal government needs to do much more to help Puerto Rico be better prepared for hurricanes. As a territory of the US, it's the federal government's responsibility to protect citizens living in Puerto Rico. The government obviously needs to improve its disaster relief systems so that money can actually be given to Puerto Rico, although the US could do even more. Maybe setting up an allocated amount of minimum funding per year in planned disaster relief and creating disaster relief centers with food and other supplies could help to better strengthen Puerto Rico against future hurricanes and their aftermath.
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