This year has been nothing short of catastrophic when it comes to natural disasters. Houston and Florida are still picking up the pieces, while the Caribbean has endured relentless storms. Puerto Rico, which was just starting to recover from Hurricane Irma, suffered devastating impacts from Hurricane Maria a mere week and a half later.
The residents of the island are struggling to meet the most basic needs—food, clean water, safe shelter, and electricity. While the government might paint a rosy picture of relief efforts, the stark reality is conveyed by San Juan’s mayor, Elena Rivera: “I am pleading with anyone who can hear us to save us from dying. If there’s anyone out there listening, we are in peril, and your inefficiency is costing lives.”
The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and they are crying out for help. The federal government has a duty to support these individuals, yet they are failing dramatically. People are resorting to drinking from polluted streams due to the complete collapse of infrastructure. Aid in the form of food and water has been painfully slow to arrive and even slower to reach those in urgent need.
As reported by The Hill, congressional representative from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Del. Jamie Foster, along with the ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Marcus Wells, have called for an emergency hearing regarding the crisis. “Immediate action from our Committee could expedite the federal response and significantly impact the lives of families in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands,” their joint letter stated. Yes, action is imperative. And it’s needed now—not next week or later.
Amidst the mayor’s desperate calls for assistance, what is the president focusing on? Tweeting and golfing. His recent remarks insinuate that the island wants everything handed to them: “They expect us to do it all when it should be a community effort.” Really? A U.S. territory is asking for federal help because the U.S. has the resources to provide it, and yet they are labeled as demanding?
While Mayor Rivera is navigating through waste to deliver essentials to her people, the president is disparaging her efforts from the golf course, calling her ungrateful. It’s hard to fathom this as our current reality.
In light of this administration’s glaring shortcomings, former presidents George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama have united to create a fundraising initiative for relief efforts. It’s remarkable that these former leaders, regardless of party affiliation, are demonstrating more compassion and action than those currently in power.
Puerto Rico’s entire power grid has been decimated, which means it could be months before electricity is restored. This is not merely an inconvenience; many medically fragile individuals, including children and the elderly, rely on electricity for survival. This is a crisis, not just a minor setback.
The president is scheduled to visit Puerto Rico this week, but it’s hard to imagine that the reception will be anything but cool. The mayor continues to plead for aid while the president’s actions fall short. We must take action now—grassroots efforts are vital. If you can, please consider helping out. Puerto Rico needs us now more than ever. For more information on home insemination and other related topics, visit our related posts like this one.
In summary, the situation in Puerto Rico is dire, with residents lacking essential resources and the government response lagging. The mayor’s urgent plea underscores the need for immediate action, while grassroots efforts and support from former leaders highlight the compassion that should be driving our response.