Support the People of Puerto Rico
As UMCOR does relief and recovery work in Puerto Rico, your help is needed to get Congress to pass an aid package.
Congress needs to hear from you now. Please call your senators and representative now to let them know you support aid to the people devastated by Hurricane Maria. The U.S. Capitol switchboard can connect you with your members’ offices: 202.224.3121.
Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, one the worst hurricanes on record. It caused widespread destruction across the island.
The electrical grid was destroyed, leaving most people without power. Over half of the residents are without clean water. People are without health services, transportation and communications.
The situation remains dire and life threatening, particularly for vulnerable people and those in rural areas.
The hurricane was a natural disaster, but it’s made worse by a political and economic crisis years in the making. Puerto Rico is an American colony and lacks the legal rights enjoyed by U.S. states.
The United Methodist Church says, “We believe that Puerto Rico’s political problem is not just a problem for Puerto Ricans; but also a problem for the people of the United States.” (Book of Resolutions, 6057)
The House of Representatives has already voted on one relief package. The Senate is poised to pass it this week. President Trump is expected to sign the bill. But it doesn’t go far enough to aid Puerto Rico, where more than 75 percent of the island still doesn’t have electricity.
Congress is expected to pass another round of aid in the coming months. They’ll need to hear from you.
Please call your congressional delegation with the following message: “Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and, most importantly, children of God. They deserve to be treated with dignity. Please fully-fund the response to the hurricane and the rebuilding effort. But Puerto Rico needs more than just money. I strongly urge you to:
- Remove regulatory and financial barriers to recovery.
- Provide debt relief to Puerto Rico.
- Prioritize a locally-led response that targets and empowers the most vulnerable.
- Ensure that rebuilding programs address climate risk.”
Call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at 202.224.3121. Ask for the office of your representative and two senators. You have one representative and two senators, so you’ll need to call three times.
