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 Needs Your Help!2021 Fundraising to repurpose a school as an emergency shelter
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.
Even heavy rain storms cause emergency shelter needs in Puerto Rico
30% Medical centers destroyed across Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico residents lacked
Housing | Drinking Water | Electricity
29,000Loíza residents
isolated
3,000+Lives lost across Puerto Rico
Covid-19 Impacts on Loíza
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.
60,000 COVID-19 PPE Kits
delivered
meals delivered to elderly and incapacitated residents
100,000 + COVID-19 education materials delivered door-to-door
3,000+Student lunches delivered to homes
In the past 4 years...AESARA Foundation has been helping the rebuild
...Our next stepsRepurposing school, Escuela Carlos Escobar Lopez, as an Emergency Shelter with a focus on its infrastructure
Fundraising Goal
$135,000
AESARA Foundation kickstarted the funding by covering the reinforcement upgrade for Medical wing windows
$25k
$30k
$80k
Medical wing windows reinforcement upgrade
Upgrade plumbing & work/bathrooms
Outdoor
showers
facility
$25k
Medical wing windows reinforcement upgrade Medical wing windows need reinforcement to withstand hurricane winds and remain intact while protecting residents from the elements.
$30k
Upgrade plumbing & work/bathroomsPlumbing in bathrooms is insufficient so it needs upgrading to accommodate functioning toilets.
$80k
Outdoor shower
facilityThe outdoor showers need upgrading with functioning fixtures and new surfaces.
We still need your help
