I am heartbroken to hear the news today that Hurricane Maria killed more than 4,600 people in Puerto Rico. It was originally estimated that 64 people were killed in the hurricane in September. Studies released by Harvard University today measure the actual number of deaths 70 times the official death toll.
Hurricane Maria Killed More Than 4,600 People in Puerto Rico
Researchers believe that a third of these deaths were due to the delays in medical care caused by blocked roads and power cuts.
Hurricane Maria is calculated to have caused financial losses of a staggering $90bn. Six months on, many homes are still without power. Former employees of destroyed businesses remain without jobs.
San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz, publicly appealed to the federal government to increase rescue and relief efforts, directly accusing President Trump of ‘turning his back on fellow Americans.’
In response to the updated death toll today, Cruz tweeted “It took too long to understand the need for an appropriate response was NOT about politics but about saving lives.”
My heart goes out to all of the families who lost loved ones in this terrible disaster. Puerto Rico will always have a special place in my heart. JR and I are incredibly thankful we were able to help by supporting Fat Joe’s hurricane relief efforts. I just wish we could have done more to prevent such a tragic loss of lives.
