DoD relief efforts continue in Puerto Rico as Trump suggests cutting aid

https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2017/10/12/dod-relief-efforts-continue-in-puerto-rico-as-trump-suggests-cutting-aid/

DoD relief efforts continue in Puerto Rico as Trump suggests cutting aid

By: Tara Copp    17 hours ago

WASHINGTON – Puerto Rico relief efforts continue despite President Donald Trump’s tweet Thursday suggesting he was considering cutting aid there.
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As of Oct. 12, only 10 percent of Puerto Rico - which is a U.S. territory whose residents are American citizens - had power restored, a revision downward from the military’s previous estimate of 16 percent. About 64 percent of the island had drinking water and cell phone service, according to U.S. Northern Command.

Approximately 13,600 U.S. troops, the Navy hospital ship Comfort, 19 fixed-wing aircraft and 88 rotary wing aircraft are involved in the relief effort. National Guard spokesman Col. Les Melnyk said the Guard’s relief efforts there continue. “I am not personally aware of any near-term plans for the National Guard to reduce support for Puerto Rico,” Melnyk said, however he deferred to the Pentagon.

A Federal Emergency Management Agency official told Military Times on the condition of not being identified that the agency has continued to be involved in other areas impacted by hurricanes many years after the storms. Twelve years later, FEMA is still actively engaged in 2005 Hurricane Katrina needs in New Orleans and continues to work Hurricane Sandy-related issues from the 2012 storm’s destruction in New York and New Jersey, the official said.
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“FEMA will be with Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and each state or territory impacted by a disaster every day, supporting throughout their response and recovery process,” the agency said in an official statement, ;
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