Lights out! Map comparing Puerto Rico’s working power grid on July 24th and July 29th, five days after the damage by Hurricane Maria. Only about 10% of the grid was working yesterday, Saturday, according to the Governor’s office in Puerto Rico and FEMA official Alejandro de la Campa. Images from European Space Agency’s Suomi NPP satellite.
When Hurricane Maria brought its unprecedented destructive power to Puerto Rico, Samaritan’s Purse had already set up a headquarters to provide Caribbean relief. The organization quadrupled its staff and flew in one of the first aid planes after the hurricane made landfall.
In previous years, Samaritan’s Purse has built large network of Puerto Rican church partners as preparation for catastrophes like Hurricane Maria. So, on Friday, it started deliver relief deliveries. Its first relief effort was taking blankets, hygiene kits, heavy tarps and other emergency supplies for 1,200 families in the town of Canovanas, a 30-minute drive east of San Juan.
In the opposite direction, an hour and a half west of the capital, Samaritan’s Purse members responded to the pleas of local medical centers in Quebradillas. Physician Luis Paz said that they were overwhelmed with patients and needed power. The aid organization set up two generators.
Plans were being made to fly a helicopter to the large southern coastal city of Ponce, on the opposite side of the island from San Juan. The organization is also making plans to go further inland into the remote higher elevations.
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Center is partnering with Convoy of Hope to aid in the rebuilding of churches. Fernando Cabrera, pastor and newly re-elected City Council member in the Bronx, is working with the coalition. He reported, “The situation in Puerto Rico is devastating. The reports I am getting back regarding the condition of PR is of total devastation. I know Puerto Ricans need our prayers, but they are also going to need tangible help. Please make sure that if you give, give to a reputable organization or someone you know who is going directly to PR.”
About 3,000 churches were damaged or destroyed, the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference (NHCLC) estimates. Wanda Rolón, an NHCLC board member and one of Puerto Rico’s best-known pastors, said that she was “not aware of a single church that escaped damage or harm.”
The NHCLC is calling upon all churches in America to adopt one church in Puerto Rico.
English Website: www.PuertoRicoandMexicoRiseUp.org
Spanish Website: www.PuertoRicoyMexicoSeLevantan.org
Sermon preached first Sunday after Hurricane Maria Calvary Chapel Puerto Rico
Salvation Army, Puerto Rico
The Salvation Army is delivering an average of 14,000 meals per day in Puerto Rico.
U.S. Salvation Army site (English)
This Southern Baptist organizations is partnering for immediate and long-term relief with its seventy five churches in Puerto Rico. On Saturday, they received permission from FEMA to start moving in supplies.
Heart to Heart International continues to provide free heath clinics for thousands of hurricane victims in Puerto Rico. The HHI response teams have the mobile medical unit, along with medical teams, medicines and supplies. We need your support more than ever.
World Vision is equipping local partners to distribute emergency supplies. NYC’s Pastor Rick Del Rio is serving with World Vision in Puerto Rico to distribute:
- Food and water
- Temporary shelter
- First aid supplies
- Child Protection activities
- Hygiene kits with soap, shampoo, and diapers
- And more
World Relief funnels relief help through local Puerto Rican churches and other evangelical organizations.
Catholic Charities & Knights of Columbus
Catholic Charities USA has already sent $1 million to add Caritas Puerto Rico and Knights of Columbus has raised $2.8 million
The first donation to the Estoy con Puerto Rico effort was made by 11 year old Brian Sanchez, President of the New York Kids Chamber of Commerce and student at Immaculate Conception Catholic Academy in Queens.
Chabad-Lubavitch of Puerto Rico
Two Chabad- Lubavitch planes loaded with approximately 4,000 pounds of food and supplies landed in San Juan on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Orthodox Jewish organization plans on more relief flights and is going house to house to make certain of the safety of members and neighbors.
Jewish Funders Network for Puerto Rico
Complete list of Jewish charity for Puerto Rico and news.
Islamic Relief USA for Puerto Rico
ICNA Muslim Relief for Puerto Rico
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