Puerto Rico still needs helps, the Red Cross says

SALT LAKE CITY — The need is still great for Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona hit the island earlier this month. And now there’s concern that the island could be forgotten amid all the devastation in Florida.

Glady Larsen, regional philanthropy officer for the American Red Cross said “When we have an experience close to our hearts, I think it makes it easier for us to want to support that. And sometimes, Puerto Rico is just a little bit further away and seems to be forgotten.”

Many parts of the island are still without water and power.

Larsen added that it’s difficult to get help to everyone in Puerto Rico right now because many areas are still recovering from Hurricane Maria in 2017.

“The power grid and the infrastructure in Puerto Rico right now is very frail. So for us to be able to support Puerto Rico in a way that we don’t have to necessarily have to rebuild the island every time there is a story coming by, there is so much help needed,” Larsen said.

But despite difficulties, the Red Cross said they have hundreds of volunteers on the island helping families.

Larsen said the Red Cross was able to install solar power at hundreds of schools in recent years. And those schools are now being used as shelters.

The Red Cross says the best way to help is by donating on their website.

 

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