HARTFORD — Statewide representatives joined a press conference late last week to discuss the situation in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona battered the island, affecting hundreds of thousands and resulting in estimated damages of over $10 billion dollars, according to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy.

The Connecticut senator was joined Friday by State Rep. Geraldo Reyes, president of the legislatures Black and Puerto Rican Caucus; Ingrid Álvarez-DiMarzo, vice president for Policy and Strategic Engagement at the Hispanic Federation; Cora Nally, director of International Emergency Response at Americares; and Joe Rodriguez, state deputy director for Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

The press conference was held in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.

As of late last week, many household were still without water and many medical facilities were operating with generator power.

“We don’t know what’s going to happen with those who are already compromised,” said Reyes, who has a sister in Puerto Rico. “Five days after the storm, my cousins are still in one foot of water.”

When Hurricane Fiona hit, the U.S. territory was still recovering from Hurricane Maria, and infrastructure was not able to withstand the recent storm. Families and businesses in Puerto Rico still haven’t received aid needed after Hurricane Maria five years ago.

“We have to do better for the people in Puerto Rico”

“We’ve been here before,” Rodriguez said. “We have to do better for the people in Puerto Rico. We need to think long term, we must build smarter, we must build stronger, and we must continue to work for the people.”

“Now they’re in the middle of assessing new damage, getting ready to file new claims for a part of this nation that already has such a hardship and economic challenge.” Murphy added. “This is virtually unmanageable. And it is absolutely critical for the United States Congress and this administration to step up, do the right thing and provide Puerto Rico with an exceptional level of help.”

President Joe Biden declared the hurricane a national disaster and announced late last week that the federal government would cover costs related to Hurricane Fiona relief in Puerto Rico in full for the next month.

According to Murphy, it is not enough. He claimed FEMA only covers around 75% of the clean up costs and damage. The other 25% is expected to be covered by the island.

“Puerto Rico does not have the resources to pick up 25% of the cost,” he said.

Organizations helping Puerto Rico

One of the organizations helping out is the Hispanic Federation, which has distributed over 11,000 solar lamps in Puerto Rico. As soon as roads begin to clear, the Hispanic Federation plans to distribute another 20,000.

In addition, the Hispanic Federation has delivered power generators to some of the island’s most vulnerable patients on dialysis.

“We also immediately launched a $100,000 Emergency Assistance Fund, which is nowhere near enough to respond to the imminent needs of the most vulnerable on the island,” Álvarez-DiMarzo said.

Diesel fuel was running out in Puerto Rico, causing supermarkets and gas stations to close. The shortage may also affect medical facilities.

According to Álvarez-DiMarzo, Puerto Rico received a $12.6 billion FEMA grant after Hurricane Maria to rebuild its energy grid.

“Congress should’ve used these funds to invest in plants to be 100% renewable energy by 2050. Instead, they continue to invest in the private company Luma Energy which makes Puerto Rico dependent on fossil fuels,” she said.

The global non-profit organization, Americares, is focused on ensuring that families affected by the latest crisis get the help they need.

“We are prepared to deliver critically needed medicines and relief supplies from our global distribution center here in Stamford, Connecticut,” Nally said.

Americares relief workers are preparing chronic disease medication, insulin, tetanus vaccines, hygiene kits and first aid items. Over the past five years, the non-profit has been on the frontlines of Puerto Rico’s recovery, providing medicines, supplies, technical assistance, and grants valued at $50 million.

“We’ve trained over 30,000 health care workers, first responders, teachers, and community leaders to better cope with the stress and trauma,” Nally said.

In addition, Americares has launched a Hurricane Fiona fund.

How the people can help

The Coalition of Connecticut Puerto Rican Day Parades and Festivals has come together to raise donations. This includes Meriden, Hartford, Waterbury, New Haven, Bridgeport and Norwich.

Hector Cardona, organizer for the Meriden Puerto Rican Festival, said “It’s an important crisis and we need to do everything we can for our people.”

Samuel Vega Jr, president of the Connecticut Institute for Community Development-Puerto Rican Parade Committee (CICD), said they are accepting monetary donations.

“We learned from Hurricane Maria that sending supplies isn’t productive or helpful. Last time, we had supplies and couldn’t send them due to Puerto Rico being shut down,” he said.

This time, the committee will sendimonetary donations to trustworthy organizations in Puerto Rico so they can buy supplies for people in need.

“This is just better because sometimes they can’t handle the amount of shipments that are coming,” Rodriguez said. “It could be there for days.”

To donate, visit www.CTHelpsPR.org or www.CTAyudaPR.org.