The Center for Investigative Journalism (CPI), in Puerto Rico, who exposed the lies about the number of Maria related deaths — have posted the story of yet another ‘FEMA fail.’
Rebecca Banuchi writes:
Majority of Claimants in Puerto Rico Still Await for Assistance From FEMA, Many Found ‘Ineligible’
“Federal agency admits that 62% of applications for assistance made by Puerto Rico residents to repair their homes have been rejected or are "in process," although it hides details about what are the main impediments for granting solicited aid.”
Armando Vega Martínez anxiously awaits for the day he can have a home again. The house in which he lived, among the mountains of the Guaraguao neighborhood in Ponce, was completely destroyed when an adjacent structure fell on it after succumbing to the powerful winds of hurricane María just over four months ago.
To find a new home, the 69-year-old man has $13,000 that was recently awarded to him by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to which he appealed for aid the same way as roughly one million people have done. “With that, nowadays you can’t even have two ‘zocos’ [or house pillars],” Vega Martínez assured, still struggling to verbalize what he experienced that September 20. “We have gone through hell. The house is beyond repair,” he added.
The survivor of Hurricane María lives today in a house located on a farm owned by his son, but according to Vega Martínez, he can’t stay there permanently. His daughter, Ana Vega Bruno, has tried to help him find a safe roof, yet to no avail. “With only $13,000, we can’t find something at that price anywhere. I have tried… I have tried. $13,000 is nothing,” the 45-year-old woman said.
I look at the $13,000 dollar figure and shake my head. What the hell can anyone buy (or repair) — for 13K?
Vega Martinez got an award however ridiculous it is. Far too many applicants have been rejected.
The details, problems, and challenges faced by people attempting to get some recompense— many who have been denied — are documented in this piece. Give it a read, and share it please.
