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Unity March for Puerto Rico

Sunday’s Unity March for Puerto Rico demonstrated the will of the people to stand together during a desperate time of need for the island. With the administration’s handling of the situation, Puerto Rico continues to remain in a state of emergency.

Power generation has dropped to about 30 percent as 91 percent of the population still do not have access to clean drinking water. The island may not be able to restore power to some regions until July 2018 making it the largest and longest blackout in United States history.

The march, however, signified much more than a protest. The Dominico-American Society of Queens, alongside several organizations and thousands of others, support a more sustainable Puerto Rico. We support that all Puerto Ricans deserve the same treatment as mainland US citizens. In comparing the US government’s response with Texas and Arizona with that of Puerto Rico’s, it is inexcusable that millions of US citizens on the island are left without sufficient water, food and power.

We also support rebuilding a stronger, safer and more sustainable infrastructure, ensuring that resources are delivered where they are needed the most, the elimination of the Jones Act, and forgiving Puerto Rico’s debt.

Our organization will continue to make efforts at addressing the situation in Puerto Rico. The support of millions of people will not end until Puerto Rico’s restoration is complete.

We thank the Hispanic Federation, Lin-Manuel Miranda and our Program Coordinator, Yanna Henriquez, in coordinating Sunday’s March.

If you would like more information on how to help, please contact us at info@dominicoamerican.org.

 

Click here to see more pictures

For English

La Agencia Federal Para el Manejo de Emergencias (FEMA, por sus siglas en inglés) y el gobierno de Puerto Rico anunciaron hoy una amplia variedad de opciones de vivienda para los residentes de Puerto Rico desplazados por los huracanes Irma y María.

Para poder satisfacer la demanda de vivienda segura, estas formas de vivienda se proveen directamente a los sobrevivientes de desastre, o a través de subvenciones financieras para asistir a los sobrevivientes con sus necesidades de vivienda.

Los sobrevivientes primero deben llenar su solicitud con FEMA para determinar su elegibilidad para cualquier asistencia federal que esté disponible. Pueden llenar su solicitud a través de: http://disasterassistance.gov, llamar libre de costo al (800) 621-3362 (voz 711/VRS – sistema de retransmisión de video), TTY llame al (800) 462-7585, o visite un Centro de Recuperación por Desastre (DRC, por sus siglas en inglés). Los sobrevivientes pueden llamar a su municipio para encontrar un DRC que esté abierto. Los DRCs están abiertos a diario de 7 a.m. a 7 p.m.

 

Oct. 31, 2017 – Comunicado de Prensa

Asistencia Unificada de Vivienda

Asistencia de Refugio Transitorio

Para Español

FEMA and the government of Puerto Rico announced today that Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) is available to Puerto Ricans who are unable to return to their homes because they are displaced as a result of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This is one of several short-term housing options being offered to meet the demand for post-storm safe housing.  Transitional Sheltering Assistance allows eligible applicants to shelter in a hotel or motel, for a limited period of time, as a bridge to intermediate and longer-term housing.  FEMA pays all costs for rooms and taxes through direct payments to participating hotels and motels.

Transitional Sheltering Assistance allows eligible applicants to shelter in a hotel or motel, for a limited period of time, as a bridge to intermediate and longer-term housing.  FEMA pays all costs for rooms and taxes through direct payments to participating hotels and motels.

For eligible applicants currently on Puerto Rico:

  • Consistent with the Governor’s request, FEMA will prioritize placements in the TSA approved hotels and motels, for the people who are currently residing in emergency shelters in order to target those most in need.
  • FEMA will be providing transportation to select locations in the Continental United States, where you will be connected with support services and lodging.  FEMA will not provide any additional transportation within the Continental United States and cannot provide reimbursement for travel arrangements you may have already made.
  • Transportation also will be provided for return back to Puerto Rico.
  • Applicants should expect that it may take several weeks to arrange transportation, given the limited availability of commercial flights.

For eligible applicants currently in the Continental United States:

  • Please update FEMA with current information by contacting 1-800-621-FEMA (3362).
  • Eligible applicants may stay at any participating hotel.
  • FEMA will not reimburse for travel that already occurred, or travel to a participating hotel within the Continental United States.
  • Applicants should expect that it may take approximately one week before hotels have the information necessary for check in.
  • Applicants are responsible for identifying a participating hotel and checking for availability.

 

This is one of several short-term housing options being offered to meet the demand for post-storm safe housing. In order to meet the demand for safe housing, these forms of assistance are provided directly to disaster survivors, or through financial grants to assist survivors with their housing needs. Survivors first need to register with FEMA to determine their eligibility for any available federal assistance online at http://disasterassistance.gov, by calling toll-free (800) 621-3362 (voice 711/VRS). TTY call (800) 462-7585, or by visiting a Disaster Recovery Center (DRC). To find an open DRC, survivors may phone their municipality. DRCs are open daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

October 30, 2017 Press Release

FEMA Housing Resources

Transitional Shelter Assistance

 

 

Like many of you, we are heartbroken by the devastation that Hurricanes Maria and Irma brought to Puerto Rico and the earthquake that left many dead or displaced in Mexico. This are difficult times for our fellow countrymen, friends and family. The Dominico-American Society of Queens is accepting  contributions to provide for those in need.

Items may include but are not limited to:

  • Batteries, Flashlights, Portable Lanterns
  • First-Aid Kits
  • Diapers, Baby Wipes and Powder Milk
  • Cases and Bottles of Water and Canned Goods
  • Feminine Hygiene Products, Toilet Tissues, Toothpaste and Tooth Brushes

Donated items must be completely unopened and packaged. We are currently accepting contributions at our location;

Dominico-American Society of Queens

40-27 97th Street, Corona, NY 11368

From all of us at the Dominico-American Society of Queens,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CAUSE OF HELPING US TO HELP OTHERS.