Hoyer says aid is delayed to Puerto Rico following 2017 hurricanes and earthquakes

Puerto Rico is facing delays in getting the $44 billion that was allocated to the island territory by Congress after Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017 and recent earthquakes.

As hurricane threatens East Coast, federal officials insist they are ready

WASHINGTON – After facing criticism for its response during the 2017 hurricane season, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Tuesday it is partnering with the private sector to create a more efficient recovery process in anticipation of Hurricane Florence.…

Puerto Rico Maria Updates: How a Facebook community served as a lifeline for families

Puerto Rico Maria Updates, now a thriving Facebook community, was started by Patricia Pichardo after Hurricane Maria.

Hurricane victims from Puerto Rico get help resettling in Baltimore

BALTIMORE – The Tavarez family struggled through a harrowing month and a half after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico, living in their San Juan neighborhood without power, scrambling to buy necessities and driving in streets without functioning traffic lights. After…

Baltimore charity takes aid to Puerto Rico

BALTIMORE — Janet Arce arrived at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport before 5 a.m. last Thursday. She wore rain boots and carted a pile of suitcases full of donations for a humanitarian trip to Puerto Rico. “I’m going to be…

Puerto Rican couple among many living at least temporarily in Maryland

SILVER SPRING, Maryland – Elizabeth Vázquez’s house has a basement apartment, specially built for her parents, Nicolás Vázquez and Priscila Rodríguez. For the past four years, they stayed there during the summer and went back to Puerto Rico for the…

Responding to Trump threat, Van Hollen urges more, “not less,” Puerto Rico aid

WASHINGTON – Responding to President Donald Trump’s threat to withdraw federal disaster aid to Puerto Rico, Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, said the government should be doing more to help the devastated territory, “not less.” Van Hollen said that three…

Protesters demand more federal support for Puerto Rico

Protesters rallied for more federal support for Puerto Rico, which was hit by Category 4 Hurricane Maria on Sept. 20. Weeks later, most of the island still lacks power.

UMD student waits over a week to hear from family in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria

University of Maryland sophomore Gabriela Anglada was hundreds of miles away from her home of San Juan, Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria hit. After speaking to her family that night, she could not reach them for 10 days. Now, Anglada is busy raising money to help with the Puerto Rico relief effort.