An island in distress

A local effort keeps Puerto Rico needs in mind

Hurricanes and other natural disasters have occurred with such frequency this year that many Americans may have become immune to the devastation and loss. Yet the recovery efforts in Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico will require resources and attention for years.

In particular, Puerto Rico faces a daunting challenge, because it was less developed and had poor infrastructure before Hurricane Maria hit in September. Current reports indicate that electric power is out for 57 percent of the island, fresh water is hard to find, and the majority of homes and businesses have to be rebuilt.

While the infrastructure problems will take months or years to address, there is a more immediate humanitarian crisis that also cries for help. Hundreds of seriously ill patients are unable to get the medical care they need in Puerto Rico, and they need to be evacuated to the mainland U.S. for immediate attention.

Pittsburghers have rallied to this cause by continuing to support Carnegie Mellon University student Rosana Guernica, who is from Puerto Rico. On Saturday, she will travel to the island on a plane she has chartered with financial and material support from many Pittsburgh organizations and individuals. She will carry medical supplies on the trip, and on the return she will transport 120 patients to family members waiting in Miami. A local physician, Hector Casiano-Pagan, will accompany her to provide medical care as needed.

This will be the fourth and last relief flight organized by Ms. Guernica. She is surprised that such flights are still needed so long after the disaster occurred. She believes that air travel will soon recover so that commercial airlines will be able to handle medical evacuations.

The 3.4 million residents of Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens, yet they are often treated as less than full citizens. Both public and private efforts are needed to hasten recovery on the island.