CCUSA to give $2 million to Caritas Puerto Rico in wake of Hurricane Maria

November 8, 2017
Puerto Rico flag
A Puerto Rican flag flies outside a home Oct. 24 in a remote area outside Las Marias, Puerto Rico, more than one month after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. (CNS photo/Bob Roller) See stories slugged PUERTO-RICO-RECOVERY Oct. 23, 2017, to Oct. 25, 2017, and to come.

Alexandria, Va. – Sister Donna Markham, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), is traveling to Puerto Rico to underscore CCUSA’s solidarity with and support for Caritas de Puerto Rico, the Catholic Charities agency on the island.  The trip is part of CCUSA’s efforts to assist with ongoing relief and recovery efforts from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria.  While there, Sister Donna will present an additional $2 million to Caritas de Puerto Rico to support its efforts to help the people of Puerto Rico. Generous donors across the country helped make this effort possible.  CCUSA previously provided $1.5 million in donations to Caritas de Puerto Rico.

Sister Donna will be joined by Padre Enrique Camacho, Executive Director of Caritas de Puerto Rico. Also expected to participate are clients of Caritas de Puerto Rico who have been personally affected by the disaster. The clients will share their stories with Sister Donna and with press in attendance. 

Widespread damage, power outages and isolated communities still confront the majority of Puerto Rico’s residents. Caritas de Puerto Rico has identified four main objectives as the initial steps toward long-term recovery: manage the distribution of supplies from port to local warehouses to neighborhoods; set-up disaster case management teams; provide mental health counselors; and establish a health clinic.  

The event will take place at 10:30am at the offices of Caritas de Puerto Rico. There will be an open Q&A with media immediately following the presentation of the additional funds. 

WHAT: $2 million in donations to be presented by CCUSA to Caritas Puerto Rico for disaster relief and recovery efforts

WHEN: Friday, November 10, 2017

WHERE: Caritas de Puerto Rico, 201 Calle San Jorge, San Juan

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