Situation Update:
• Hurricane Fiona is now a category 4 storm, heading toward Bermuda.
• In the Dominican Republic, 2 million customers are without water and two deaths have been reported.
• In Puerto Rico:
o Flood waters have not yet receded in many parts of the island, particularly the west, meaning many response activities are on hold until power can be generated and roads are clear.
o More than 70 percent of the island still has no power and authorities said today that the western part of the island is facing up to a few months without power.
o More than 40 percent of the island does not have access to clean water, a major health risk.
o Dozens of emergency shelters are open and there are over 800 people taking refuge there, but many more are in informal shelter situations with friends and family.
Response Update:
Americares team based in San Juan has been coordinating with public and private partners, including government response agencies as well as our local clinic and nonprofit partners. We are currently targeting the following areas for partner outreach and support: Patillas, San Lorenzo, Naranjito, Ciales and Caguas.
While needs assessments are just getting underway, and in many places are on hold until the flood waters recede, we are hearing from partners that there is and will continue to be urgent need for:
• Fuel support in the form of either fuel or funds to purchase fuel for generators. With limited supply on the island, prices are expected to soar, squeezing the budgets of clinics and community members.
• Solar power systems to help supplement generator power while the electrical grid is offline.
• Hygiene kits for hurricane survivors and volunteers helping with the response.
• Insulin, which needs to be kept cold. Much was lost or destroyed given the widespread power outages.
• Psychological first aid, as people across Puerto Rico face this latest trauma, five years after the devastation and humanitarian crisis brought by Hurricane Maria.
Americares is prepared to respond to these needs and others and will continue to work closely with partners in the most affected parts of the island as needs assessments continue. The Emergency Response team is also reaching out to partners across the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic.
About Americares Puerto Rico:
Americares has a robust presence in Puerto Rico including a country office and local team staffed by health professionals and emergency responders with deep expertise in disaster preparedness, disaster response, mental health and psychosocial support, and long-term health system strengthening.
Americares also has a wide network of health center partners across Puerto Rico that we support throughout the year including during disasters. Our large-scale disaster responses in Puerto Rico have included Zika (2016), Hurricane Maria (2017), the swarm of earthquakes (2020), and Covid-19 (2020-2022).
Americares has undertaken critical training for hundreds of health workers in recent years in both disaster preparedness and mental health. Via disaster preparedness training, we have worked with local health care professionals across the island to build resilience and develop the communication and coordination skills needed to maintain health services and save lives during and after disasters. Through Americares mental health work, we have trained health workers to identify and address the needs of people affected by trauma and have also provided health professionals with the tools and coping skills needed to protect their own emotional wellbeing in times of extreme stress.
Americares local presence and experience in Puerto Rico makes us uniquely well positioned to support those affected by Hurricane Fiona. We have already released emergency funds from our reserves to ensure we are able to respond rapidly in hard hit areas. We would greatly appreciate your support as we identify how best to meet needs on the ground.
*Should Americares raise funds in excess of what's needed to respond to this particular crisis, the funds will be redirected to where the need is greatest.
