SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Six months after a hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico – leaving much of the American territory covered in debris and without power – the island community continues to recover.
And they’re doing that with the support of Puerto Ricans now based in Minnesota.
“We found a way to support and offer solidarity from a distance to our family and friends,” said Beliza Torres Narvaez, an Augsburg University professor who is also a member of the Coalición de Boricuas en Minnesota – or Coalition of Puerto Ricans in Minnesota.
On Sept. 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria slammed into Puerto Rico, relentlessly savaging the island’s tropical landscape and power grid. Earlier that month, Puerto Rico suffered a glancing blow from Hurricane Irma. But it was Maria that left her mark more than any other hurricane in the island’s modern history. And it was Maria that motivated Puerto Ricans in Minnesota to mobilize to make a difference.
“I realized I had to do something as soon as I realized the devastation the hurricane had caused,” said Narvaez.
‘YOU FEEL POWERLESS’
Earlier this year, Narvaez gave a driving tour of her native island – navigating around darkened traffic lights and power poles still lying on the road.
“Oh wow, look at that pole, so close,” Narvaez said, reaching her arm out of her car window.
Official government sources suggest nearly 167,000 Puerto Rican people remain without power a full six months after the hurricane wreaked havoc on the island. But those who call the island home say that number does not account for the intermittent nature of the electrical connection to many communities, including even in the dense neighborhoods of San Juan.
That’s where Narvaez points out the lingering signs of Maria – both in terms of physical damage and emotional scars.
“I mean, it’s the scariest thing I have ever lived through. And I have lived through a few scary things, but not knowing what happened to them. Not knowing if they’re alive, if they’re safe… that is hard. That is hard,” she said about her family, choking up as she adds what was the irony of her feelings during that time: “You feel powerless. You feel powerless.”
It’s a feeling that inspired Narvaez’ next action: “I then became a member of La Coalición. I think it was in response to many of us who felt powerless because we were not here.”
LA COALICIÓN
Soraya Valedon Lopez can relate to the initial feelings of frustration. It’s why the Minneapolis public school teacher quickly reached out to her contacts to create the Coalition of Puerto Ricans in Minnesota.
“About four days later, I called everybody that I knew from Minnesota that were professionals: lawyers, (a) senator, teachers, activists. You know, we got together and decided to form a group to help relieve Puerto Rico the way that we could,” Lopez recalled.
Since its inception, the coalition has primarily focused on relief for the island – sending both monetary donations and supplies, including baby, adult and pet food; diapers; water filters and batteries. The coalition has also sponsored trips by doctors to the island.
“Helping diabetes, cancer, people that need immediate relief, because clinics were very hard to reach,” Lopez said.
The coalition has also helped more than 100 families relocate from Puerto Rico to Minnesota in the months after the hurricane hit. And while the needs of the Puerto Rican people continue to evolve, so will the work of the coalition.
“It hurts. It hurts that they’re suffering. It hurts to see kids suffering. You know it hurts. It’s just the reality,” Lopez said about what inspires her ongoing commitment.
She added: “It’s heartbreaking if I don’t do anything, and I think everybody with the coalition feels the same way, ‘How can we help? What can we do?’”
‘FEMA’S GOING TO BE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME’
As a trilingual adviser for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Nathan Ellis understands the scale of significant disasters. So when the native Minnesotan touched down in Puerto Rico in late September, he quickly concluded Maria had left a historic mark.
“We talk about this being a magnitude disaster about 10 times worse than Katrina,” he said, adding, “The four major components to any disaster that we look at being gas, access to gas, electricity, use of running water and communications… all four were knocked out here.”
Ellis notes that FEMA had to first contend with the “geographical challenge” that the island presented. He also recalls how the first days following the hurricane were long but somehow still fulfilling.
“We’re looking for survivors. We’re calling in helicopters to evacuate people. We’re looking for drop zones for food. And at the end of 14 hours, I mean you’re exhausted, but there’s something inside you that really kind of is warmed by the work of the people,” Ellis said.
According to Ellis, that work will only continue … and for many years.
“We’ll have a long-term recovery office here for at least 15 years. FEMA’s going to be around for a long time,” Ellis said, also reflecting on his own “sacrifice” to help the recovery effort: “I did leave family, friends, work … but I remind people it’s also my job. So I know what I’m getting into.”
And Ellis adds he’s also inspired by the tireless resilience of the very people he and relief workers overall are trying to help.
“To see people respond in such a resilient way has been so reaffirming of the work that we’re doing. Kind of gives you strength to get up in the morning,” he said.
‘PUERTO RICO STILL NEEDS SUPPORT’
For Narvaez, the road to recovery looms long and challenging – similar to the roads in her hometown of San Juan.
But Narvaez also believes that with targeted support, her island will continue to rebuild. That’s why the coalition plans to continue funneling money and materials to people on the ground in Puerto Rico who are actively trying to make a difference.
“We have the commitment at La Coalición of making sure that it doesn’t fall through the cracks. That it goes to the people who need it the most. That it goes to the groups, the citizens that have become active, who are leaders and are making sure to get to places where the government is not reaching out or not getting there fast enough,” she said.
And for those willing to help those efforts, Narvaez says she’s grateful... grateful others also recognize the need to help their fellow Americans.
“Puerto Rico still needs support,” Narvaez said, adding, “Thank you so much. Thank you for not forgetting us.”
To support the efforts of the Coalición de Boricuas en Minnesota, you can donate through the organization’s fiscal agent, Impact Lives, at: https://www.impactlives.org/donate/52-support-an-event.html. Please specify your donation is for the “Puerto Rico Hurricane Relief Fund.”