Chicago Ramps Up Puerto Rican Relief Efforts In Hurricane Maria's Aftermath

CHICAGO, IL — Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-4th District) and other community leaders met Monday to organize relief efforts to help the citizens of Puerto Rico recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria last week. A city delegation, including nearly two dozen paramedics, firefighters and engineers from the Chicago Fire Department, will travel to the island terrority Wednesday to spend 10 days assessing the damage, according to the mayor's office. The group also will be delivering defibrillators, stretchers, communications equipment and other much-needed emergency supplies. The delegation will spend 10 days on the island and provide an on-the-ground assessment of additional resources needed.

Chicago also has welcomed around 1,600 Puerto Ricans who have been evacuated from the island since it was declared a national disaster area last week. The residents arrived on humanitarian flights organized by Chicago-based United Airlines, as well as the Chicago Department of Aviation, the mayor's office stated in a release Monday.

“Puerto Ricans on the island are working hard under difficult circumstances but are making progress hand in hand with FEMA, private groups and U.S. cities and towns sending aid," Gutierrez said in a statement Monday. The congressman returned to Chicago on Sunday after touring the destruction caused by Maria. Gutierrez, who was born in Chicago, lived in Puerto Rico as a teen before coming back to his native city, and he still has family on the island. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Chicago — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Also See: FEMA Administrator Defends Puerto Rican Relief Efforts In Bold Claim

"[Puerto Ricans] need communications, helicopters, engineers and organizational support, which should come from the U.S. military immediately because some people still haven't been contacted, supplied or rescued," the lawmaker added. "Right now on the mainland and in Chicago we should be thinking about evacuation and how we give refugees from Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands a safe place to recuperate until things improve."

Gutierrez's call for military help with the relief efforts came alongside criticism of how President Donald Trump and his administration have handled matters so far. He told CNN that the federal government was doing "a disgraceful job" in the hurricane's aftermath.

"It's costing lives, Mr. President, of children and the elderly and the infirm," Gutierrez said Friday.

Chicagoans with family in Puerto Rico affected by the hurricane are encouraged to register online for FEMA assistance. Individuals interested in helping relief efforts can go to the City of Chicago's website for a list of verified groups, charities and volunteer opportunities.

"Chicago is home to a proud Puerto Rican community, and since Hurricane Maria struck, Chicagoans on every level have responded not only with our hearts, but with our wallets to help our fellow citizens in Puerto Rico," Emanuel said in a statement Monday. "We will continue to support the people of Puerto Rico rebuild and recover from this terrible tragedy, and continue to welcome countless families with open arms."

A political party banner waves over a home damaged by Hurricane Maria in Ingenio in Toa Baja, Puerto Rico, on Monday, Oct. 2. (Photo by Ramon Espinosa | Associated Press)

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