By Lidewij Honcharik | Project Leader
Your donations are making a difference!
Fuel Relief Fund is on the ground in Puerto Rico and working non-stop. As reported in all the major news outlets, the lack of Fuel continues to be the most pressing need. Relief supplies are at hand, but the fuel to get them to the people is not.
Most of the island is still without electrical power. The entire grid was destroyed, so the only electrical power is coming from generators, powered by fuel. This situation is expected to last for months, maybe even a year. The devastation is immense. People are still dying. Many have gone without any type of aid. People in some areas are drinking rain water. People with diabetes have no access to insulin. Dialysis centers have run critically low on fuel to run their generators. Fuel stations continue to run low and operate for only a few hours at a time. The lines for fuel are unbelievably long.
Fuel Relief Fund is an integral member of the Fuel Strike Team with the US Military, FEMA, and every major fuel supplier on the island. Most critical at this time is to supply fuel to municipalities, hospitals, clinics and government agencies in order to meet critical infrastructure demands.
Fuel Relief Fund has already:
- Helped FEMA, the military, and the government to determine most critical fuel needs.
- Provided logistical advice on safe and expedient transport of fuel.
- Advised on improving fuel storage capacities of hospitals, clinics, dialysis clinics, and water treatment plants so generators run for longer periods of time.
- Based on our experience in Haiti and elsewhere, focused attention on the need for generator fed light stands for the safety and security of the population
- Worked to increase amount of tanker trucks available. Over 70 fuel tankers are being delivered by FEMA tomorrow, but it will take days for the effects to be felt.
As an integrated part of the Strike Team, Fuel Relief is now in possession of 6000 gallons of diesel for generators and a 10,000-gallon tank for deliveries. By Tuesday, October 3, 2017, we will be in possession of a truck to pull the tank, as well as government security allowing direct deliveries to first responders, NGO’s, and the people.
This is one of the most complicated crisis we have ever responded to.
PLEASE continue to support us. Every dollar goes to procuring fuel and the logistical support to deliver it. Nothing is spent on overhead. You cannot imagine what a difference free fuel will make to the people of Puerto Rico.
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