Civic News

Delaware launches disaster relief website for Puerto Rico

Delaware's Puerto Rican community rallies to help relief efforts after Hurricane Maria, with a little help from Delaware.gov.

India Colon speaks about her visit to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. (Screenshot via Livestream)

With Puerto Rico still trying to pick up the pieces after the horror of Hurricane Maria, Gov. John Carney announced Wednesday that the state has launched a new disaster relief website, delaware.gov/relief, to make it easier for Delawareans to contribute money, time and essential items for victims of disasters.
Today’s emotional press conference included members of Delaware’s Puerto Rican community, including Latin American Community Center President Maria Matos and community liaison India Colon, who spoke of the devastation and the need for more aid. U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and Major General Carol A. Timmons of the Delaware National Guard also spoke.
As representatives on the national level, including U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, push for an increase in aid to the U.S. island, states are stepping up. Delaware, part of the metropolitan area (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington) with the third-largest Puerto Rican population in the U.S., has been active in contributing aid, and residents are encouraged to keep giving.
The new website includes a list of national and Puerto Rico–based organizations for donating money, drop-off locations for requested essentials (check the lists of what they do and do not accept, also on the site), organizations that need volunteers on the ground in Delaware or Puerto Rico, links to online check-ins and news updates.
While the site is focused on aid to Puerto Rico at this time, it will remain after the relief effort is done, and will be utilized for future disasters when needed.

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