Monthly Program Update - Puerto Rico (January 2020)

PUERTO RICO HURRICANE RECOVERY UPDATE JANUARY 2020

TOTAL PROGRAM IMPACT

7,820

LIVES IMPACTED

3,250

VOLUNTEERS

37,131

VOLUNTEER DAYS

1,627

JOBS COMPLETED

Current Activities During this season of giving, our teams spent their holiday working alongside the Yabucoa Community. We kicked off the month by hosting a Community Resource Fair, with the help of Saint Vincent De Paul, Salvation Army and SBP, where we welcomed over 200 families. This event was open to the public and local groups set up booths offering workshops and information on a number of recovery topics, from home repairs to mental and physical health. Our team trained and empowered community members on how to complete disaster resilient repairs, specifically repairs and sealing of cement roofs. This supports our efforts in building the capacity of the Yabucoa community so they can recover from Maria and prepare future storms in a resilient, affordable way.

Community Stories Puerto Rico takes pride in having the longest holiday season in the world!

On the island, lights, music and food are emblems of strong traditions that are passed on for generations, all centered around the home. Domitila, 80, has lived in Puerto Rico for over 70 years. She raised 10 children in her home, which is way more than just a shelter over her head. Her home is her personal history book full of her most precious memories. Hurricane Maria’s ferocious winds pounded against her house, causing severe damage, creating leaks and mold in the ceiling. Our team was eager to help and together we sealed her roof and sanitized the interior of their home.

Hundreds of families, like Domitila, still need roofs fixed, sanitized interiors and window and door repair. We invite you to help us meet the urgent need in Yabucoa. PRxPR will match, dollar for dollar, all gifts up to $100,000 through February 1, 2020. Click here to learn more about our Home for the Holidays Campaign

Learn about our programs at

allhandsandhearts.org

Disaster Profile On September 20th, 2017 Hurricane Maria’s 155 mph winds plowed through the island of Puerto Rico, resulting in one of the worst natural disasters in the island’s history. Hurricane Maria first made landfall over the municipality of Yabucoa, affecting the 37,000 residents who call it home. This area bore the strongest brunt of the storm, where hundreds of homes are still today in need of basic roof repairs and where we continue to focus our efforts.

Our Work Thanks to critical support from partners like Medtronic, The Giustra Foundation, and PRxPR; other donors; the local community; and volunteers from around the world, we have run an impactful program since January 2018. Our work in Yabucoa includes mucking and gutting, mold sanitation, roof repair and critical home repairs. We are also focusing on community spaces in need of clean up/repair and will be alongside the community on the long road to recovery.

About All Hands and Hearts We effectively and efficiently address the immediate and long-term needs of communities impacted by natural disasters. We communicate directly with local leaders and community members and then deploy our unique model of engaging volunteers to enable direct impact, helping to build safer, more resilient schools, homes and infrastructure.

We have earned a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator six years in a row and a Perfect 100. Less than one percent of rated nonprofits have received this distinction for financial and operational efficiency.

Our Partners in Puerto Rico

info@allhandsandhearts.org (508) 758-8211