The Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing its work to assist Puerto Rico's recovery efforts after the island was rocked by a series of earthquakes in 2019.
The agency has earmarked $523 million for repair projects in the 14 municipalities of the southern, western and central parts of the island, FEMA announced Jan. 11. The funds will aid in the rebuilding of public buildings, roadways, debris removal and more, according to the release.
“Puerto Rico’s history changed because of these earthquakes," Jose G. Baquero, Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator, said in the announcement. "As of today, over 518 projects have funds from the agency, mostly for schools and municipalities."
Schools were among the structures with the most earthquake damage, according to FEMA, because many of the buildings' "short columns" structure, making them more prone to damage in seismic events. FEMA has allocated more than $178 million to repair 102 schools, the agency reports.
"We seek to take advantage of this unique opportunity to strengthen the structures where public education is given and additional spaces within the affected area,” Baquero said.
In addition to public buildings such as schools, police and fire departments, judicial centers and others, FEMA disaster aid is also going to citizens who were affected by the earthquakes.
Janet Vega Padró, a resident of Guánica, lost her home in the earthquakes. She said she expects to rebuild her home with aid provided by FEMA.
“The first step has already been taken, which is the demolition,” she said.
Alexis Torres, Secretary of Puerto Rico Public Safety, said the aid was a significant benefit to the communities its going to.
“We will continue to identify the help available to provide our staff of the DSP bureaus with better tools, work conditions and, therefore, be able to offer a better service to the people in case of emergency,” Torres said.
