WASHINGTON - Acting Secretary Elaine Duke today made her third visit to Puerto Rico to meet with local officials and assess the status of ongoing response efforts. She met with the mayors of Ponce, Guayanilla and Santa Isabelto discuss how the federal government can best support the immediate needs of the people of Puerto Rico. Acting Secretary Duke also spoke by phone with Governor Ricardo Rosselló.
During a media availability Acting Secretary Duke remarked on the importance of what she learned during her visit, "I will leave today more dedicated than even before to ensure we continue with the recovery of Puerto Rico." Acting Secretary Duke and Ponce Mayor Meléndez also delivered food and water to residents of a Ponce neighborhood.
In San Juan, Acting Secretary Duke met with Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz and Federal Coordinating Officer Michael Byrne and U.S. military leadership on the island.
DHS, FEMA and its federal and Commonwealth partners remain focused on live-saving and life-sustaining actions, from distribution of food and water to addressing health care needs to power and communication system restoration.
Acting Secretary Duke with Ponce Mayor "Mayita" Meléndez Altieri unloading supplies from CBP helicopter. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released) View Original Acting Secretary Duke with Ponce Mayor "Mayita" Meléndez Altieri unloading supplies from a CBP helicopter. (DHS Official Photo/Jetta Disco) Acting Secretary Duke meets with residents affected by Hurricane Maria in Ponce, PR. (DHS Photo by Jetta Disco/Released) View Original Acting Secretary Duke meets with residents affected by Hurricane Maria in Ponce, Puerto Rico. (DHS Official Photo/Jetta Disco) Federal Response,Hurricane Maria,
