The Federal Emergency Management Agency has provided nearly $607 million in disaster assistance grants to households impacted by Hurricane Fiona.
By THE STAR STAFF
Nearly $811 million in federal grants, disaster loans, public assistance grants and flood insurance payments have been provided to Puerto Rico and to households impacted by Hurricane Fiona to help jumpstart their recovery.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided nearly $607 million in disaster assistance grants to households affected by Hurricane Fiona. The funds are provided to repair damaged homes, replace personal property, and for unmet critical needs and other types of disaster-related assistance.
In addition, FEMA has obligated more than $115 million to government entities and private nonprofit organizations for debris removal and emergency protective measures. To date, 19 municipalities, 21 government agencies and 47 private nonprofit organizations have been awarded disaster assistance grants.
Nearly $22 million was obligated to the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, which deployed 9,250 officers to provide additional law enforcement patrol and surveillance to minimize immediate threats to public health and safety.
“Puerto Rico’s recovery after hurricane Fiona has been swift and FEMA’s work, having already disbursed over $806 million in federal aid in just four months, is a great example of the joint work our government and the federal government do for the benefit of our people,” Gov. Pedro Pierluisi Urrutia said. “Hurricane Fiona was a difficult moment for everybody on the island, and our police officers and emergency personnel, as well as many other public officials, left their families for weeks on end to provide security and assistance to our citizens in their time of need.”