Like many of you, we are deeply saddened and shocked by the images coming out of the devastation from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in Puerto Rico. Our heart goes out to the many Puerto Ricans who have lost their loved ones and livelihoods in the aftermath of this natural disaster.

Puerto Rico's island geography makes relief and recovery challenging. Most of Puerto Rico lies within the Cordillera Central mountain range, which divides the island in half. Many areas remain disconnected due to blocked mountain roads, collapsed bridges,andflooding.

These are the sorts of challenges that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, is supposed to help overcome when disaster strikes. But CWA local leaders in Puerto Rico report that even now, weeks after Hurricane Maria, over 3 million people are without electricity and 1 million have no access to clean water. Hospitals are running low on fuel for generators, medication for pre-existing conditions and supplies to treat injuries sustained during Hurricane Maria. Food, which is already expensive, is becoming scarce. Calling your Senator's office is easy and makes a huge difference. The following is a sample of the request you can present to the person who answers the telephone in the Senator’s office:

I’m calling to request that the Senator call FEMA Administrator Brock Long to demand that he send additional rescue and relief resources to Puerto Rico immediately. The safety of 3.5 million U.S. citizens is at stake.

This urgent crisis requires an urgent response from all of us. Call your Senators today at 1-877-782-8274 to ask them to demand that FEMA send more help to Puerto Rico.

AFA-CWA Members have helped to fly more than 300 volunteers and a planeload of supplies to the island. We have received an overwhelming number of donations to the AFA-CWA Disaster Relief Fund. However, the needs are great and resources are in demand.  Donations are needed because the damage is so very extensive.  If you have not yet donated, please consider doing so to help those most in need at http://www.afacwa.org/disaster_relief_fund.