FEMA has announced its end to supplying food and water after distributing more than 30 million gallons of potable water and almost 60 million meals to the people of Puerto Rico.
When the devastating Hurricane Maria hit the island, the population residing in rural areas were cut off from their access to resources. The only way food and water could reach them was by helicopters provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In time, these residents were able to dig themselves out in hopes to make their towns and villages easily accessible to resources. Unfortunately, due to the lack of electricity, running water and food the help from FEMA was vital for keeping residents alive and healthy.
FEMA announced that food and water supplies will be cut off on Jan. 31 and the remaining resources will be given to the Puerto Rican government to distribute.
Residents think this immediate action will cause catastrophic results, given that a third of the island has yet to regain electricity and, in some places, running water. However, FEMA insists that the government and non-profit groups of Puerto Rico will be able to successfully provide aid to these people.
A big push to this early cut off is the fast declining economy of Puerto Rico. Since people are being provided with free food and water, fewer residents are shopping at their local markets. Alejandro De La Campa, FEMA’s director in Puerto Rico said, “We need to create a balance. With the financial assistance we’re providing to families and the municipalities, they’re able to go back to the normal economy.”
But some parts of Puerto Rico are simply not ready to resume to their lives prior to the hurricane.
Morovis, a municipality located in the central region of the island, is a prime example of this. 10,000 of the 30,000 residents still heavily rely on FEMA’s water and food supply. Mayor Carmen Maldonado says that the third of the predicted residents without power is near 80 pct. of Morovis population.
It’s safe to say not everyone has landed on their feet yet, or at least not enough to take away needed resources supplied by FEMA.
FEMA has hope that the Puerto Rico Emergency Management Agency (PREMA) and the Government will continue to recognize municipalities like Morovis and lend a hand in the process of restoring Puerto Rico.
