Community Chat

[Oznell]

CBS in New York just reported that there are 700 FEMA personnel on the ground in devastated Puerto Rico, and 10,000 Federal personnel total on hard hit islands.

Just one tiny anecdote: Tiny Dominica (not a U.S. territory) experienced the disaster in an inconceivable way.  A missionary friend of ours whose son and daughter in law were there during the storm, had no way of knowing for four days if they were alive or not.  He finally found out they had made it on a flight to the U.S., alive and shaken, but well.

It's impossible to overestimate the damage and wiping out of infrastructure to an already faltering economy  We must pretty much start over and build up in Puerto Rico and other victims of walloping by two major hurricanes.  We'll be in it for the long haul.

[waterlily]

That doesn't seem like nearly enough to me.  Three and a half million people?

[Stevie Nix]

Lives ruined and paradises lost for a long time.  Horrendous.

[Oznell]

I could be wrong, but I believe they meant that the 10,000 were in addition to the FEMA people.  I'd imagine a good chunk of that would be military, doing their usual humanitarian urgent care and transport...

[Kachina624]

If you make donations for Puerto Rican relief, be very careful and avoid local charities.  Apparently the country has been rife with corruption by local officials and their cronies.  That's why they've been in such deep financial trouble.  The electrical grid was inadequate and obsolete before the storm because they didn't have the money to modernize it, for the same reason.. coruption.   Imagine what they'd do with millions in emergency funds.

[Witchy Woman]

So heartbreaking.

I know the US is helping, but I've often wondered if it wouldn't make more sense to relocate everyone until things can be reconstructed.

Of course, that is not a realistic thought, but I cannot imagine people living without power, clean water for months on end.  Long lines for gas and food.

It is being brought in, but is it ever enough?

Years ago, I visited St. Thomas -- many areas were shabby, but people seemed to have what they needed and were happy. 

Now, so much is destroyed.

[Witchy Woman]

@Kachina624

This morning, I heard a FEMA official saying they are helping the government set up a website for direct donations, but don't know anything else about it.

He admited there wasn't a good way to donate right now, but did provide some information (which I have forgotten!).

I'm sure many want to help, but don't know the best way to do so.

[Kachina624]

I researched charities on a website that rates them called Charity Navigator.  There is one called Direct Relief in California that has the highest rating they've ever given.  I looked them up and you can designate funds for Puerto Rico and I was able to pay using PayPal, which I like to do.  Check them out yourself and see what you think.

[Oznell]

Good job, Kachina624!

[game-on]

I have heard and read about many governments being corrupt on the islands in the Carribean.... 

When I watch programs about traveling there... I wondered about this "so called" paradise they were describing.... and I was really questioning if the people who were searching to buy propery on an island had done research about the government... 

I am so sorry for the devastation and loss.... however, it is tricky to figure out who to donate any relief aid to because of the corruption....