‘Humanitarian Crisis’ Looms In Puerto Rico As Maria Aftermath Is Felt
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO — A damaged dam is in danger of bursting. Most buildings are damaged or destroyed. Millions are without power, and the communication network is crippled.
Puerto Rico is in a dire situation after Hurricane Maria, Governor Ricardo Rosselló told CNN in an interview on “New Day” Monday morning.
“This is a game changer,” he said. “We need to prevent a humanitarian crisis occurring in America.”
Rosselló urged Congress to approve a commensurate aid package as the US territory, already hammered by a prolonged economic crisis, tries to get back on its feet.
“Puerto Rico is part of the United States, and we need to take swift action,” the governor said. “This is a major disaster.”
President Donald Trump has pledged federal help for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. A White House official said Trump is planning to visit Puerto Rico, but a date has not been set because of infrastructure concerns on the island.
The Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration said 4,000 members of the US Army Reserves have been deployed to the island to help with Hurricane Maria recovery.
Airplanes and ships loaded with meals, water and generators have been arriving or are headed to Puerto Rico and other affected Caribbean islands, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a statement.
“We need something tangible, a bill that actually answers to our need right now,” Rosselló told CNN in calling on Congress to take action.
“Otherwise, there will be a humanitarian crisis,” he repeated. “There will be a massive exodus to the United States.”
The territory’s population was down to 3.4 million residents last year from 3.8 million in 2004. High unemployment and better jobs elsewhere have led many Puerto Ricans to leave, mainly to Florida and Texas, according to the Pew Research Center.
Source: CNN