By Emily Mew, State Coordinator, Emergency Disaster Services The Salvation Army Massachusetts Division
The SW section of the island continues to feel aftershocks, and smaller earthquakes on a constant basis – causing continual damage to homes and buildings.
Between 45-50,000 people are still voluntarily displaced for fear of being inside their homes. People are afraid to sleep and afraid to leave their homes due to potential looting. Numerous small camps and pop shelters all across the region continue to need services.
Three base camps have been opened and managed by PR National Guard, two additional camps are being developed.
TSA is supporting these three camps with Emotional and Spiritual Care (ESC) and personal goods.
We currently also are providing personal items, blankets, tents, cots, tarps, flashlights, portable stoves/fuel, toys and other items as we serve multiple locations and municipalities throughout the SW.
Food service continues to increase. Ponce Corps, Guayama KROC and Caguas EDS facility continue to assist with mobile food distribution. Arecibo Corps has begun to assist by providing meals to emerging communities.
In the words of Chris Farrand “We have seen nothing like this as far as ESC goes. Every single person needs it.” People throughout the region are experiencing extreme anxiety due to circumstance of ongoing tremors and no real place to go.
8,737 meals, snacks and drinks have been distributed; 1,540 ESC contacts made
109 deployed volunteers and staff (majority are within country)
Four ESC specialists arrived Sunday and Monday (two from MA Division) – an additional 6 have been requested, with a preference given to Spanish speakers. A second team of EDS staff is being developed to replace the current team on the ground. This is a very evolving situation and further needs will be communicated in the coming days and weeks.
Though we continue to distribute goods, the message for people looking to make donations continues to be that monetary donations is what they are accepting at this time. Please refer inquiries to this webpage or the text to give option:
Text to give option: Text EDSMA to 41444
Thank you. Please reach out with any questions.
