Caribbean Business Reports

The United States’ Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Central Office for Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience (COR3) have committed an additional US$20.5 million to assist with funding 37 projects in Puerto Rico.

 The funds were assigned between December 20 and December 26, 2019 and will be used for projects aimed at the recovery and reconstruction of the island following the devastating impact of Hurricanes Maria and Irma which ravaged the country in 2017.

The allocated funds have been earmarked primarily for infrastructural developments which will help the recovery of communities. 

 According to a statement by the two agencies, “Many projects during this phase of the recovery are for architectural and engineering design, which may open the door to funding opportunities for larger projects in the future. These funds help to reduce the “damage-rebuild-damage” cycle that comes with restoring structures to pre-disaster conditions.” Additionally, “They assure quality by meticulously detailing scopes of work to ensure a repaired and rebuilt Puerto Rico is better positioned to withstand another storm.”

 The breakdown is as follows: 

• Over $6.7 million for administrative costs
• Over $6 million for emergency protective measures
• Over $5.1 million for repairs to roads and bridges
• Nearly $1.3 million for repairs to public buildings and equipment
• Over $1.2 million for work related to parks and recreational facilities
• Nearly $50,000 for repairs to public utilities

The two agencies “continue to work together to develop strategies that advance recovery projects”, the statement said.

• Related story: Housing aid delay for USVI and Puerto Rico

To date, over US$6 billion has been approved for Puerto Rico under FEMA’s Public Assistance program.