From the state House to the White House and parts in between, government leaders say there needs to be a coordinated effort to help Puerto Rico.”We had the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico and Ponce and San Juan just a few months ago, and we established a relationship with the mayor of Ponce,” said Orange County mayor Jerry Demings.Right before Hurricane Fiona hit, Demings reached out again to the mayor to see just how the county can assist.”We are waiting on them to say what those unmet needs may be, what the federal government may not be able to provide or what the island may not be able to provide,” Demings added.On Monday, the mayor’s wife, Rep. Val Demings, D-Florida, who chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Preparedness, Response and Recovery called for federal aid to Puerto Rico.”I’m calling on FEMA to fully cost-share the emergency aid to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona. Our aid to the island must be swift and it must be complete. Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico need our support and we must answer,” said Rep. Val Demings.State Rep. Daisy Morales of Orange County, whose district is 70% Hispanic, called on the governor to coordinate with city and county governments as well as transportation authorities to help prepare for a potential influx of citizens from Puerto Rico.”I don’t want a repeat of what happened during Hurricane Maria. It’s important that we are well prepared this time to give Puerto Rico and the Puerto Ricans who come to Florida the help they need. That’s all I want,” Morales said.Morales, who is from Puerto Rico, said proper guidance and coordination is what’s needed right now.Father Enrique Camacho, who lives in Puerto Rico, said people need everything.”What I suggest always is to give monetary donation, because it’s easier for us to identify what is the need of the people,” Camacho said.That’s why at all levels assessing and coordinating efforts are key to making sure those needing help get the help. “We have so many of our residents who want to assist and then we will coordinate with our local organizations to try to meet those needs,” Jerry Demings said.“And that we have the correct information given to the citizens that want to provide the help,” Morales said.Morales has also contacted the American Red Cross, Orlando International Airport as well as congressman Darren Soto’s office.WESH 2 News reached out to the governor’s press office to see if he had received the letter from Morales, but we have yet to hear back.
From the state House to the White House and parts in between, government leaders say there needs to be a coordinated effort to help Puerto Rico.
“We had the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico and Ponce and San Juan just a few months ago, and we established a relationship with the mayor of Ponce,” said Orange County mayor Jerry Demings.
Right before Hurricane Fiona hit, Demings reached out again to the mayor to see just how the county can assist.
“We are waiting on them to say what those unmet needs may be, what the federal government may not be able to provide or what the island may not be able to provide,” Demings added.
On Monday, the mayor’s wife, Rep. Val Demings, D-Florida, who chairs the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Preparedness, Response and Recovery called for federal aid to Puerto Rico.
“I’m calling on FEMA to fully cost-share the emergency aid to Puerto Rico following Hurricane Fiona. Our aid to the island must be swift and it must be complete. Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico need our support and we must answer,” said Rep. Val Demings.
State Rep. Daisy Morales of Orange County, whose district is 70% Hispanic, called on the governor to coordinate with city and county governments as well as transportation authorities to help prepare for a potential influx of citizens from Puerto Rico.
“I don’t want a repeat of what happened during Hurricane Maria. It’s important that we are well prepared this time to give Puerto Rico and the Puerto Ricans who come to Florida the help they need. That’s all I want,” Morales said.
Morales, who is from Puerto Rico, said proper guidance and coordination is what’s needed right now.
Father Enrique Camacho, who lives in Puerto Rico, said people need everything.
“What I suggest always is to give monetary donation, because it’s easier for us to identify what is the need of the people,” Camacho said.
That’s why at all levels assessing and coordinating efforts are key to making sure those needing help get the help.
“We have so many of our residents who want to assist and then we will coordinate with our local organizations to try to meet those needs,” Jerry Demings said.
“And that we have the correct information given to the citizens that want to provide the help,” Morales said.
Morales has also contacted the American Red Cross, Orlando International Airport as well as congressman Darren Soto’s office.
WESH 2 News reached out to the governor’s press office to see if he had received the letter from Morales, but we have yet to hear back.