By: Leila Martinez
Updated: Oct. 1, 2017
Originally Published: Sep. 30, 2017
This year has brought an avalanche of natural disasters, leaving cities like Houston and Florida devastated. The Caribbean, too, has suffered immensely, with Puerto Rico enduring a catastrophic blow from Hurricane Maria just days after barely recovering from Hurricane Irma.
The situation on the island is dire, as the residents grapple with a lack of essential resources such as food, clean water, safe shelter, and electricity. While government officials may claim that relief efforts are progressing, the Mayor of San Juan, Sofia Ramirez, paints a starkly different picture.
“I am urgently pleading with anyone who can hear us to save us from dying. If someone is listening, we are on the brink of disaster, and bureaucratic inefficiency is killing us,” she stated.
Let that resonate for a moment. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, and they are in desperate need of assistance. Our government is failing to protect innocent lives due to bureaucratic hurdles. What is happening here?
The U.S. has a moral obligation to assist its citizens, and yet the response has been woefully inadequate. Many are forced to drink from contaminated water sources because their infrastructure has crumbled. The arrival of food and water aid has been painfully slow, and distribution to those in need is even slower.
In a joint effort, congressional representatives from the U.S. Virgin Islands and the House Oversight Committee have called for an emergency hearing to expedite federal support for Puerto Rico. “Immediate action could significantly enhance the federal response and positively impact families affected by this disaster,” read a letter from Representatives Noah Thompson and Angela Cortez. Yes, this needs to happen—immediately.
As the Mayor of San Juan begs for help, our president seems preoccupied with tweeting and golfing. “They want everything done for them when it should be a community effort,” he remarked. Really? A U.S. territory is asking for assistance because the federal government has the resources to provide it, and yet they’re accused of wanting a handout? How does that make sense?
While Mayor Ramirez wades through sewage to deliver resources, the president tweets from the golf course, calling her ungrateful. It’s incredulous that this is our current reality.
Our former presidents—George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, and Barack Obama—have banded together to launch a fundraising campaign for relief efforts, exhibiting more compassion than the current administration. It’s astonishing, yet commendable.
With the power grid devastated, it could take months before electricity is fully restored. This is not just about being in the dark; medically vulnerable individuals depend on electricity to survive. Yet, while the mayor fights for her community, the president makes light of the situation between rounds of golf.
He has announced plans to visit Puerto Rico this week, but it’s unclear how warmly he will be received. People are in peril. The mayor is pleading for assistance, and our leader is falling short. We must take action, so grassroots efforts are crucial. If you can, consider donating to help Puerto Rico recover.
For more information on how to get involved, check out this post on artificial insemination options. If you’re navigating the complexities of pregnancy, resources from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists are invaluable.
Summary:
The situation in Puerto Rico has reached a critical point as Mayor Sofia Ramirez calls for immediate assistance following the devastation of Hurricane Maria. While government response has been sluggish, former presidents have stepped in to support relief efforts. As the island struggles with a lack of basic needs, grassroots initiatives are essential to help those in need.