The following is an excerpt from an article posted in the NVOAD.org in 2019:
Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) and FEMA Voluntary Agency Liaisons (VALs) in Puerto Rico are working together to provide a remote community in central Puerto Rico access to water. That community, Mameyes , in the municipality of Utuado, was severely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. It is also disconnected from Puerto Rico’s water system, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA).
remote community in central Puerto Rico access to water. That community, Mameyes , in the municipality of Utuado, was severely impacted by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. It is also disconnected from Puerto Rico’s water system, Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA).
This left the only medical facility in the surrounding area, Corporacion de Servicios Salud y Desarrollo Socioeconomico el Otoao (COSSAO), without water. COSSAO is a non-profit clinic that also provides medical services to the nearby municipalities of Jayuya, Florida, and Ciales. However, the clinic could not full function without water.
In response to this need, FEMA VAL, Ramon Vazquez leveraged the partnership with IRUSA, Disaster Response Team Manager, Hani Hamwi, to connect the President of COSSAO, Francisco J Valentin to secure the necessary funding to build the water well. IRUSA is a member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD) who’s disaster relief efforts have supported survivors throughout the Island. In bridging the funding gap, FEMA VALs and Islamic Relief USA are continuing to build resiliency and preparedness in the communities in Puerto Rico. The construction of the water well is currently underway in Mameyes.
Read the full post on NVOAD.org
