Trump is not going to do anything about Puerto Rico

[JI7]

So what can everyone else do to help ?

Do they need US govt approval for foreign govt help ?

How about charities ?

[Me.]

1. First

They can raise their voices and demand American citizens be helped. There are some relief agencies there but not enough help. PR shipped huge amounts of water to VI during the first hit, they were generous with their help, now they are in need.

[spanone]

2. not high enough 'ratings'

[RKP5637]

3. Trump is a sociopath. He's like Jason in Halloween! This country is in such

deep ship many citizens still haven't got it.

[B2G]

4. Here's what FEMA is doing.

https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2017/09/24/federal-response-teams-assisting-puerto-rico-and-us-virgin-islands

[gohuskies]

5. Dotard is a heartless greedy bastard..

Something has to be done to come to the side of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. This is so unconscionable and there has never been someone so callously reckless with protecting American citizens in this type of natural disaster.

[marylandblue]

6. There is a government response, but Trump doesn't care

and it's probably not enough. The ports and airports beed to be reopened so supplies can get in. It's the sort of thing only the military can do.

[B2G]

8. I honestly think a lot of folks

don't understand the scope of what happened there. It's not going to be fixed overnight, or even remotely close to it.

That being said, there are a lot of folks on the ground helping. In reality though, resources are maxed out due to Harvey and Irma as well.

[Not Ruth]

7. Go there on vacation, support the tourist economy

[B2G]

9. Yes. In about a year.

The last thing they need is an influx of people.

[Not Ruth]

10. You might be surprised, the first cruise ship has already docked at Key West

I think that parts of Puerto Rico will be open for business very soon. Though the most remote areas may take a year to rebuild.

[B2G]

11. I hope you're right, but the last report I saw

said essentially the entire island was without power and would be for an extended period of time. You can't support the locals, let alone tourists in that type of environment.

I sincerely hope the reports are overly pessimistic. Kind of puts the 'woe is me, I've been without power for a week' crowd into perspective.

[MineralMan]

12. Disaster tourism? I don't think that's a good idea at all.

Pump money and resources in and let them get some recovery, then bring on the tourists and their dollars. Anyone going there right now would be a disaster tourist. Ugh!

[Not Ruth]

14. In the Keys right now they are saying open for business and begging for tourists not to cancel plans

Expect the same from Puerto Rico

[procon]

13. When Huckabee said Trump was sending officials to assess the damage

it became clear that he's stalling and probably looking for a way to do as little as possible to help the US citizens of Puerto Rico. Before the hurricane, Trump boasted that FEMA personnel were on the ground and working with the government officials. They were ready with millions of meals and water, power generators, already in position to be distributed. Did they already run out without any logistical planning for resupplying critical items? Was it a lie?

The Fema website lists all the federal agencies who are supposed to have teams on the ground to help Puerto Rico. If they on site, why are the people still saying no one has come to help them? New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo immediately assembled a delegation including emergency response experts, who brought in large-scale generators that can power hospitals and communication centers, water, food and bedding.

The immediate humanitarian needs for any disaster are the same; food, water, shelter, medical care, communications and evacuation should be ongoing. Debris removal, rebuilding private homes and business, infrastructure repairs or replacements will be very costly. Unlike a tornado or hurricane that just strikes local areas, this is an unprecedented disaster that affected the entire island of Puerto Rico.

Without a massive aid package, hundreds of thousands of people might be forced to migrate to the mainland in search of a better life and that will bring a whole host of other problems to Puerto Rico and states where they settle.

[B2G]

15. And there are 4 areas that need help at the same time.

Houston, Florida, the US Virgin Island and Puerto Rico.

I wish someone had a magic wand too, but no one does.

[OldHippieChick]

16. That was my immediate reaction to the press conference as well.

Sanders dodged and weaved and kept saying they'd sent people to "assess" the damage. I wanted to punch thru the screen of my t.v. and take her by the throat. It was so obvious the WH is hoping we will forget these are American citizens. This is so disgusting and heartless. I wish I could win the lottery this week as that will be the only way these people will get relief.