With all the recent hurricane activity in the Atlantic Ocean area, some have argued that Puerto Rico has suffered the most damage. After category four hurricane Maria hit the U.S. island territory on Sept. 22, the island has experienced numerous setbacks. The island territory is still recovering from power outages, the lack of fuel and food preservatives for the hospitals of the island and officials trying to get running water for more than just a quarter of the residents of the island have access to at this point.

Many Puerto Ricans have aired their grievances about the disaster relief and clean up process being too slow and seeing little change. Numerous citizens find themselves standing in lines for money withdrawals, and trying to obtain food and drinking water supplies for an island that is still having issues distributing food across the territory. Just as local Ana Ramos states her thoughts on the situation.

“I’m overwhelmed, I have to wait in line at the ATM because I don’t have any more money,” Ramos said.

Help has been provided through organizations in avenues of raising funds and direct relief such as UNICEF and the International Medical Corps and Global giving to name a few. Yet, the supporter that is receiving the most criticism is the United States government themselves, some are saying they are lacking in their duties to help their territory even after 29 billion dollars was just allotted towards their disaster relief.

On Oct. 2, in a congressional letter budget director for President Trump, Mick Mulvaney, stated his views on the financial aid required for Puerto Rico and the other fiscal requirements the government is needed for, for other hurricane clean up efforts and future disasters that could arise.

“With two more months of hurricane season remaining and wildfires continuing to burn in the West, we must act expeditiously to ensure that communities have the assistance they need, when they need it,” Mulvaney said.       

Though time will only tell whether Puerto Rico will be back to normal after all the severe damage it has gone through with hurricane Maria, but for now the U.S. territory is still needs more aid. With the island still needing basic necessities and communication lines are still poor, throughout the island much work is needed.This work is being provided by a plethora of organization and, more recently, the U.S. Government.