Puerto Rico is a Caribbean island and part of the United States. It has struggled with poverty long before the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 43% of Puerto Rico’s population, live in poverty, majority of them children. The island has also endured multiple disasters, the most recent being Hurricane Maria and COVID-19. These hardships have weakened Puerto Rico’s economy, infrastructure and health systems and have left vulnerable groups even more susceptible to poverty. The country’s vulnerability to severe hurricanes has perpetuated poverty in Puerto Rico. The most recent hurricane was also the most destructive in nearly a century. 

Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017, and its destruction created lasting consequences. In addition to destroying thousands of homes and causing infrastructural damage, Maria wiped out about 80% of the island’s agriculture. Immediately following the hurricane, 100% of the island lost power for months and lacked access to necessary items including water, food, medicine and fuel.   Between the repairs of its infrastructure and the return of tourism, this has helped boost the economy.  Hence why we chose to visit Puerto Rico, just being here doing our adventure is helping the local economy. 

Puerto Ricans have demonstrated remarkable resilience and current efforts like this are helping to improve this situation. That's why we picked to go to the beautiful island of Puerto Rico.  We want to raise awareness and also help feed families in need. But we need your help.

Efforts by nonprofits like Islamic Relief have also helped bring attention to the issues, and have helped with short-term and long term solutions. Islamic Relief has been in Puerto Rico, rebuilding homes, supporting a clinic by building a water infrastructure to provide clean water, distributing food and clean water, and also handing out school kits to children before the school year.