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Puerto Rico

Poverty in Puerto Rico is more than double the highest rate of the United States: over 40% of people live below the poverty line. Insufficient infrastructure makes the effects of natural disasters more damaging, and recovery more difficult.

Here’s how Humanity First USA is helping.

Humanity First responds quickly to disasters at home.

HFUSA initiated an immediate response in Puerto RIco to Hurricane Fiona in 2022. Our local partners and volunteers collaborated with community groups to collect and distribute weekly rations and essential supplies to more than 1,000 families.

When Category 4 Hurricane Maria hit in 2017, over 50 Humanity First volunteers worked with local authorities, other disaster relief organizations and medical facilities. We served over 150,000 meals, operated mobile medical clinics, and did home visits in remote and isolated areas. We brought life saving medicine to people in need, and provided crucial feedback about medical needs to both FEMA and the Puerto Rican government.

Two people wearing blue vests over their shirts with the humanity first logo on the back carry plastic bags full of items down a narrow street that has debris from trees and homes along the side.

Image Gallery

Two Humanity First volunteers in Puerto Rico do a wellness check with a man at a mobile medical clinic we set up after Hurricane Maria.
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