New York City Insider: Espaillat Convenes Leaders for Disaster Relief Strategy for Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic.

 

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release September 20, 2022

Representative Adriano Espaillat Convenes Leaders for Disaster Relief Strategy for Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. Member Leads Urgent Response to Hurricane Fiona’s Catastrophic Flooding in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.   WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) held a strategy planning call with leaders from New York, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and emergency service organizations in response to Hurricane Fiona. The purpose of the call was to engage critical stakeholders to discuss pressing on-the-ground needs and encourage federal partners to share resources available to safeguard the livelihood of millions of Hurricane Fiona survivors. “We have witnessed catastrophic devastation across Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, and it will require a multi-level government approach to ensure vital resources to the region and in a timely manner,” said Rep. Espaillat. “I have been working with authorities in the region to address what resources are needed and stand ready to ensure assistance is available to help individuals and families who need our help now more than ever.” “We thank Congressman Espaillat for his leadership to help coordinate assistance to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Fiona,” said Executive Director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, Carmen M. Feliciano. “While we continue to assess the scope of the damages, governor Pierluisi’s administration is working closely with federal government officials to continue the quick response and protect life and property.” “The American Red Cross is grateful for the offer of support of Congressman Espaillat and the offers from the state of New York to assist in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona in Puerto Rico. Five years ago, the state of New York’s assistance enabled the Red Cross to provide relief to our neighbors in Puerto Rico, all across the island. Today, in the immediate aftermath of Fiona, the Red Cross is helping to provide shelter, food and comfort. In the days and weeks ahead, the Red Cross will be there to provide additional support as needs continue to evolve,” said Chief Executive Office for the Greater New York Region of the American Red Cross, Mary J. Barneby. “New York knows full well the devastating impact that Mother Nature can bring, and that is why we stand ready to help the people of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic recover and rebuild from this terrible storm," said Governor Hochul. "Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are incredibly resilient, but I promise that New York will be there to help in any way we can." “As Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic seek to respond to Hurricane Fiona, New Yorkers are concerned and here to help,” said Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos, MSW. “Thank you Rep. Espaillat for taking the lead to help coordinate this emergency assistance as we work to ensure that city, state, and federal resources reach communities in need.” "The impact of this devastating natural disaster hits close to home as a multitude of my district, which encompasses Washington Heights, Inwood, and Marble Hill, have family in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic who are in need of supplies and other disaster relief,” said Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa. “From that pain and resiliency, our community has mobilized quickly to gather volunteers, funds, and resources to send aid. Our hearts are with the people of the Caribbean, and we will continue to monitor the situation closely." “I proudly joined Congressman Espaillat as he convened state, local, and international leaders to address the ongoing catastrophe in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “As the Chair of the City Council’s Committee on State and Federal Legislation, I am committed to bringing humanitarian relief to families devastated by Hurricane Fiona. Countless New Yorkers, including myself, have family members in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and we have an obligation to support families."   Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his third term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities. He is also a member of the House Committee on Education and Labor and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), where he serves in a leadership role as the Second Vice Chair and is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, where he serves as Deputy Whip. Representative Espaillat also currently serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.