Loíza, Puerto Rico continues to suffer deficiencies in shelter and basic provisions for residents impacted during recurring rain and hurricane seasons.
A dilapidated school building promises a hopeful refuge for many.
Loíza, Puerto Rico continues to suffer deficiencies in shelter and basic provisions for residents impacted during recurring rain and hurricane seasons.
A dilapidated school building promises a hopeful refuge for many.
In September 2017, Puerto Rico’s infrastructure was devastated by two major hurricanes.
Hurricane Irma (Category 5) and Hurricane Maria (Category 4) caused widespread damage in quick succession, with less than 2 weeks between the storms, leaving little time to recover and rebuild.
The immediate aftermath of these storms cause residents to lack electricity, fresh food, and clean water. Damage to roadways and infrastructure caused those needing medical treatment limited access to care. These damages persisted for weeks to eventually months.
The town of Loíza, Puerto Rico was perhaps hit the hardest. As one of the island’s coastal towns, Loíza inherently suffers geographic barriers of heavy flooding and coastal erosion. Loíza quickly became an “island within an island” leaving residents isolated with little to no resources.
These storms revealed a fragile system and heightened the urgency to strengthen the island’s infrastructure before another natural disaster.
In addition to hurricane and heavy rain destruction, Loíza residents must contend with COVID-19 infections and illnesses. Normally, the emergency shelter we are repairing can house 1000 residents, but COVID issues reduce the number to about 500.
A 2020-21 report by the “Municipal Investigative Agency in Loíza” (SMICRC) outlined COVID-19 assistance activities that included FACEBOOK newsletters to inform the public of ongoing cases, active infections, and Covid-related deaths in the local area. This report highlighted relevant statistics and pandemic relief objectives. The community of Loíza – 4520 residents – held 30 Covid testing events at local churches, where 2470 residents were tested, 1738 were contact-traced for infection, and 329 positive covid infection cases were identified. 3,000 + student lunches delivered, and social workers provided 23 counseling interventions during the height of the crisis.
AESARA Foundation kickstarted the funding by covering the reinforcement upgrade for Medical wing windows