The Challenge:

Though María was the deadliest hurricane to make landfall in Puerto Rico, it will not be the last to make its presence felt in the island. The earthquakes and the COVID- 19 in 2020 also posed new challenges to the Puerto Rican communities. To be better prepared for future emergencies, comprehensive and updated emergency plans need to be in place.

How is Hispanic Federation Helping?

Hispanic Federation (HF) has helped to ensure families across the island had immediate access to water, food, and emergency supplies. Additionally, HF has supplied emergency grants to organizations and individuals facing severe challenges that could be substantially ameliorated with quick-cash infusions assistance and grants to build the capacity of organizations to respond to future disasters. We also supported our communities through the early 2020 earthquakes and the COVID-19 response.

For Hurricane Maria: Who Are We Helping?

Vieques Conservation and Historical Trust (Vieques)

Funds were used to purchase satellite communications equipment and technology to develop an emergency coordination center. Groups across the island were trained in emergency preparedness and supported with organizational capacity building.   

Operation Agua (Island-wide)

Through an island-wide partnership with the American Federation of Teachers, Operation Blessing, and AFSCME, HF contributed to the purchase and distribution of over 65,000 individual and institutional filter systems with the help of local organizations and volunteer brigades. These filters provided clean and safe water to thousands of families and schools on the island.

World Central Kitchen/Chef José Andrés (Island-wide) 

Emergency Supplies (Island-wide) 

HF purchased and shipped more than 100,000 solar lamps, 7,000 mosquito nets, and 3,000 tarps which were distributed to communities in need by local brigades coordinated through our network of community-based organizations and other partners. Additionally, we received, shipped, and facilitated the distribution of thousands of pounds of donated goods from across the U.S.

Food and Water (Island-wide) 

Emergency Family Funds (Multiple municipalities) 

HF facilitated the distribution of 535 cash cards to families in financial crisis, as identified by our network of community-based organizations.

For the 2020 Earthquakes: Who Are We Helping?

Distribution Center (Ponce)

In the wake of the earthquake events, Hispanic Federation established a Supplies Distribution Center in Ponce, where other nonprofit and faith-based organizations were able to pick up food, water, solar lamps and essentials to deliver to the most affected communities. Through this initiative, Hispanic Federation impacted at least 54,019 persons and 124 organizations. In addition, HF invested an additional $1.2M in its Patria Project, a mental health initiative in partnership with the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras, to address that provides individual and group counseling of individuals affected by the natural disasters.

Hispanic Federation also awarded emergency grants to the following organizations:

Centro de Microempresas y Tecnologías Agrícolas Sustentables de Yauco (CMTAS): To distribute emergency supplies and food throughout communities affected by the earthquakes and carry out infrastructure repair/

Centros Sor Isolina Ferré: General support to help the organization assist communities and individuals affected, delivery of supplies, services and case assessment and management.

Ponce Neighborhood Housing Services (Ponce NHS): To offer preparedness workshops and emergency bags to vulnerable populations affected by the earthquakes.

Red por los Derechos de la Niñez y la Juventud de Puerto Rico: To provide social emotional support to students affected by the earthquake and prepare families for distance learning in the fall due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide educational enrichment to address serious education deficits identified.

Waves Ahead: To establish a long-term shelter in Cabo Rojo to host LGBT, elderly people and general population displaced by the earthquakes and others that might need a safe place during a natural event.

Conservacion ConCiencia: To address the needs of fishermen in the south of the island affected by the earthquakes, enabling the reconstruction and rehabilitation of local fishing businesses.

Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico: To organize community brigades and ensure the delivery of legal advice to people affected by the quakes.

Fundación Fondo de Acceso a la Justicia (FFAJ): To provide people affected by the earthquakes with legal advice and access to lawyers throughout the FEMA application and/or appeal processes.

For the 2020 Earthquakes: Who Are We Helping?

Hispanic Federation created an Emergency Assistance Fund for Puerto Rican non-profit organizations to help offset the costs of the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial investment in Puerto Rico was $ 1.5 M impacted 74 organizations and were allocated to address different needs such as organizational financial support, emergency and hygiene supplies, food distribution, and others. Participants of this fund include: