NOTE: This post is being updated as new opportunities arise.
Since Hurricane Maria hit a few days ago, I’ve been thinking about Puerto Rico nonstop. My family was incredibly lucky and they are safe, but they are still without power, water, access to roads, unable to work, the list goes on.
Unlike natural disasters on the mainland, we can’t access PR by truck, car, or other easy and fast modes of transportation. You can only fly or go by boat. All of the island’s ports were damaged and only one is operational currently (following several days of efforts). The airport is currently closed to non-emergency professionals bringing aid. People have nowhere to go, including those who lost their homes. Most are unable to communicate with anyone, on or off the island, unless you see them in person. Many of those lucky enough to have generators, including hospitals, are not able to find diesel to power their machines.
Things you can do to help: