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FEMA establishing Long Term Recovery Committees

Voluntary organizations meet at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Carribean Area Division office to discuss the creation of Long Term Recovery Committees (LTRC) in the disaster declared areas of Puerto Rico.Voluntary agencies are an asset to residents in long-term recovery

SAN JUAN, PR --  Puerto Rico residents affected by the September 21- October 3, 2008 storms and floods take steps towards their recovery, voluntary agencies continue playing a key role making this process feasible in many communities. Voluntary organizations are an integral part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mission to provide support and guidance to communities recovering from disasters.

Acknowledging them as a vital recovery element, FEMA and Commonwealth officials are creating Long Term Recovery Committees (LTRC) in the disaster declared areas of Puerto Rico. The committees include private non-profit organizations, faith-based institutions, local volunteers, and even residents who suffered losses and damages after the floods.

"These committees facilitate a simultaneous access to agencies' information, creating possible a joint forum to share viable solutions to issues and problems, including unmet needs cases in their community," said Josué Díaz, Voluntary Agency Liaison (VAL) for FEMA. The LTRC will also help identify available resources and support the long-term recovery of individuals and families in the 21 disaster-declared municipalities.

Voluntary organizations meet at Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Caribbean Area Division office to discuss the creation of Long Term Recovery Committees (LTRC) in the disaster declared areas of Puerto Rico.

Other priorities of the LTRC include:

As a result of these collaborations, United Way of Puerto Rico has made accessible the 2-1-1 Assistance Guide, which offers detailed information about relief and recovery services available to affected residents, provided by different non-profit organizations and governmental agencies.  

The 21 municipalities designated for Federal and Commonwealth disaster assistance are: Arroyo, Cabo Rojo, Guánica, Guayama, Guayanilla, Gurabo, Humacao, Juncos, Lajas, Las Piedras, Naguabo, Peñuelas, Maunabo, Patillas, Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, San Lorenzo, Villalba, Yabucoa, and Yauco.  

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Thursday, 04-Jun-2009 11:26:34 EDT