Following the earthquakes in Puerto Rico, people are still displaced from their homes, families are afraid of their own houses and funding is still questioned.
"Neither Puerto Ricans nor the American taxpayers benefit when emergency aid is misallocated, lost, or stolen through waste, fraud, and abuse," said the White House.
This statement came out in February, however, funds where sent and according to the New York Times more actions have been made to assist.
“The Federal Emergency Management Agency has so far allocated $20 million to about 8,500 applicants, most of that for home repairs and some to pay for rent. More than 30,000 people applied,” stated Frances Robles in her article Months After Puerto Rico Earthquakes, Thousands Are Still Living Outside.
This devastation and confusion on the island is directly impacting students such as Bianca Colon, a psychology major.
“I haven’t been made aware on how support is affecting my family… they have mentioned there is tension,” said Colon, who has family on the island including her grandmother and best friend.
These tensions have continued as Puerto Ricans have faced governmental turmoil, with slow allocation of funds, unresponsiveness from the local governments as well as the White House.
The urgency is just not there and for mass communications major, Kamryn Elliot, it is urgent for her and her family.
“My family is completely on edge and afraid to sleep… my uncle and aunt have to go to my cousin’s house for utilities since her area isn’t restricted,” said Elliot.
Her family have emergency bags in case more earthquakes continue. The bag consists of canned food, a flashlight and water.
As these families have the support of each other, others are not as lucky as to use family’s water and electric. These earthquakes have displaced thousands of people and have left them fearful for the outcomes.
According to Robles’ article, calls to the island’s suicide hotline are averaging 1,600 a day, according to the government mental health agency.
Homes are starting to be filled again, and people are moving out of tents and cars and into houses slowly. But hope is truly what this island is struggling to find.
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