As Puerto Rico grapples with unprecedented devastation, a collective of former U.S. Presidents has banded together to raise funds for the victims of recent hurricanes. In a powerful display of unity, all five living former Presidents—both from the Republican and Democratic parties—have joined forces to aid those affected by the trio of hurricanes that recently battered the U.S.
First, Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc on Houston and its surroundings with catastrophic flooding. Following that, Irma laid waste to Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Just last week, Hurricane Maria obliterated Puerto Rico, leaving the island struggling to recover from Irma’s aftermath.
The fundraising initiative, named One America Appeal, was spearheaded by former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama earlier this month, initially focusing on Hurricane Harvey and later extending support to the victims of Irma and Maria.
According to the campaign, “Individuals, foundations, and institutions can make tax-deductible donations at OneAmericaAppeal.org to support recovery efforts from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, or direct their contributions to a specific cause using the website’s dropdown menu.”
As the destruction in Puerto Rico—which is a U.S. territory—mounts, the necessity for relief efforts cannot be overstated. Alarmingly, a recent poll from The New York Times found that nearly half of Americans are unaware that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.
A man is seen pedaling through a damaged road in Toa Alta, west of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on September 24, 2017, following Hurricane Maria’s passage.
“There is horror in the streets,” stated Mayor Rosa Martinez of San Juan in a recent interview. People lack access to food, clean water, and essential medications. The elderly and those with health issues are unable to obtain the medical care they desperately need. With much of San Juan under floodwater, residents are navigating through contaminated waters just to get around.
While the five former Presidents are actively working to procure aid for Puerto Rico, the current President’s response has been noticeably delayed. Even when he finally addressed the situation, his remarks were less than reassuring. As Mayor Martinez poignantly expressed, “You see the best in people, but you also see the worst in people.”
According to Vox, Puerto Rico is currently facing a dire humanitarian crisis, with aid arriving at a much slower rate than required. One of the most pressing concerns is the widespread power outage affecting the majority of the island, with estimates suggesting it could take four to six months to restore electricity. Four to six months!
“Make no mistake—this is a humanitarian disaster involving 3.4 million U.S. citizens,” stated Ricardo Salazar, Governor of Puerto Rico, in a recent statement. “We will need the full support of the U.S. government.”
So far, at least ten lives have been claimed by the storm, with experts fearing that the death toll could rise into the hundreds in the coming days. The intensity of this crisis has left many feeling desperate for assistance.
“Do not forget us,” Mayor Rosa Martinez pleaded. “And do not let us feel alone.”
To assist, visit OneAmericaAppeal.org to donate. You can also contribute here: UNICEF, United for Puerto Rico, and Global Giving.
This article was originally published on Sep. 26, 2017.
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Summary:
In the wake of multiple hurricanes, Puerto Rico faces severe devastation, prompting a united effort from five former U.S. Presidents to raise funds for recovery. With dire needs for food, water, and medical supplies, the situation is critical. Donations can be made through OneAmericaAppeal.org, and various organizations are also accepting contributions.