In the ongoing recovery effort in Puerto Rico, states and local organizations continue to step in to fill needs that government has not. While the federal government often works in partnership with nonprofit and private organizations to provide disaster relief, we know that to date Congress and the White House have yet to take the issue seriously, leaving Puerto Ricans with little in terms of short and long-term relief. On Sunday, Knoxville, Tennessee-based organization Remote Area Medical (RAM) lent its support, providing free medical services to people in need on the island. RAM is a nonprofit volunteer corps whose mission is “to prevent pain and alleviate suffering by providing free quality healthcare to those in need.”
Remote Area Medical opened up in Puerto Rico Sunday to begin providing medical services to those in need in that area.
They will be offering services such as free dental services, eye exams, women's health exams and general health exams.
In addition to providing these services, RAM also plans to open five mobile clinics across the island so that people in remote areas can also access critical care. According to the organization’s founder, there is a huge need for medical professionals to volunteer their time to this effort.
"It's an ongoing thing," [Stan] Brock said. "We really need as many volunteers that want to come forward-- Dentists, optometrists, medical doctors, and, of course, veterinarians."
RAM also plans to distribute more than 50,000 pounds of additional disaster relief supplies to the area. They have been collecting donations since September.
It’s critically important that we don’t forget that it’s been 75 days since Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico. And since that time, we don’t have an accurate count of how many Puerto Ricans have died, nor do we really know how many are still without water and power. Yet FEMA is already winding down its efforts, Donald Trump is busy tweeting about Hillary Clinton and disparaging the FBI, and Senate Republicans are passing tax bills to harm poor and middle-class Americans. This is life and death and the federal government is ignoring its people. If it weren’t for states, local organizations, and individuals who are working hard to save lives, this situation would be far worse than it is already. The only saving grace here is that it’s clear that people can mobilize and move into action when our government is a complete disaster. Sadly, while the Trump administration remains in power, this may need to be our new path forward.