Sep 26, 2016

One Year Later: The Recovery Effort of Hurricane Maria Continues

A year following Hurricane Maria, Federation’s support is still making a difference in Puerto Rico (PR) and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). Working with The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), along with our on-the-ground partners of IsraAID, Nechama, the AFYA Foundation and the Foundation for Puerto Rico, Federation provided immediate humanitarian aid after the storm and continues to help the ongoing and long-term recovery of the islands. Additionally, GMJF worked collaboratively as part of the JFNA Emergency Committee to oversee distribution of relief funding in both PR and the USVI. These collective efforts include support for critical assistance provided by the three Jewish institutions in PR and the synagogue in the USVI. Funding also enabled developing water sanitation systems by IsraAID, rebuilding of homes through Nechama and distributing of medical supplies through the AFYA Foundation.

A second round of Federation grants allowed for the transport of medical supplies to the affected islands, extended the volunteer rebuilding efforts of Nechama in Puerto Rico for another three months and launched a new IsraAID program aimed at strengthening resilience and providing psychosocial support in schools in Puerto Rico. Federation also supports the Foundation for Puerto Rico, which continues to work to stabilize the island's infrastructure and build resilience and capacity to respond to future storms.

IsraAID was among the first responders on the ground and quickly opened six mobile medical clinics on the island, distributed water filters in remote communities, provided mental health support and trained hospital staff. As the recovery and rebuilding efforts stretched into months, IsraAID has maintained its presence in Puerto Rico long term as well. Staffers help low-income and elderly communities with coping and psychological support, guide teachers through a resiliency curriculum that reduces stress levels among children and have even assisted with building a gravitational sand water filtration system in the small rural community of Barrio Real. By training volunteers from San Juan’s small Jewish community to work with Barrio Real residents on keeping the new water system safe from diseases and pollutants, IsraAID is focusing on building sustainable programs that others could run even after they’ve left the island.