U.S. Department of Agriculture offers aid to farmers, ranchers and residents in Puerto Rico following the recent Hurricane Fiona.
U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack directed recovery aid to Puerto Rico, with USDA staff ready to respond "with a variety of program flexibilities," amid damage reminiscent of Hurricane Maria in 2017 that also resulted in island-wide power outages, according to a Sept. 29 USDA news release. Puerto Rico experienced its greatest flooding events since Hurricane Maria, and power shortages are ongoing in many parts of the island.
"Our thoughts are with all of the people affected by this terrible storm, especially in Puerto Rico, which has come so far in recovering from Hurricane Maria," Vilsack said in the news release. "I want everyone to know that USDA is ready to deliver all the resources we have available to us to assist those in need."
The news release offered tips on food safety guidance, including how Puerto Ricans in affected areas can avoid risk of foodborne illness, particularly when returning to homes after flooding and other problems caused by the severe weather.
The news release also offered guidance about its disaster assistance for agricultural operations on the island, including the department's full suite of programs that work to help food producers recover following disasters.
Through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA can offer financial resources to help with short-term requirements and long-term support, all aimed at recovering from natural disasters, in addition to conserving water. Through its Emergency Watershed Protection Program, USDA can assist local government sponsors with recovery costs, including debris removal and streambank stabilization, the release reported.
"USDA's Food and Nutrition Service is already providing assistance to those communities affected in Puerto Rico through household distribution of USDA Foods, which provides nutritious, high-quality foods 100% grown and produced on farms in the U.S.," the news release said. "FNS is standing by to work with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, states and local authorities, to provide additional emergency nutrition assistance to people in need."
