National Guard restructures efforts in support of quake victims

By SSG Marimar Rivera Medina, PR ARMY NG- 113th MPADFebruary 14, 2020

PRNG restructures efforts in support of quake victims
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PRNG restructures efforts in support of quake victims
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – PRARNG Citizen-Soldiers provide fuel to a water purification site in the aftermath of the earthquakes that shook the southwestern part of the Island on 7 January. So far, Joint Task Force - Puerto Rico has distributed 1,679,328 bottles of water, dis... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PRNG restructures efforts in support of quake victims
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Citizen-Soldiers serve hot food in one of five Base Camps erected to shelter to a displaced citizens after earthquakes shook the southwestern part of the Island on 7 January. Joint Task Force - Puerto Rico has distributed 1,679,328 bottles of water,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
PRNG restructures efforts in support of quake victims
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A certified 68W Citizen-Soldier of the PRARNG provides medical care to a citizen at one of five Base Camps erected to shelter hundreds of displaced people from the Southwestern part of the Island. Joint Task Force - Puerto Rico has distributed 1,679,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BUCHANAN, Puerto Rico -- After more than a month of support to the southern municipalities affected by a 6.4 magnitude earthquake Jan. 7, the Puerto Rico National Guard is restructuring its recovery efforts to improve the administration of services to displaced Families.

"Our priority through the Joint Task Force has been and will always be the safety and well-being of displaced families," said Maj. Gen. José J. Reyes, adjutant general of Puerto Rico. "We are restructuring our support in order to not duplicate efforts and consolidate services in line with the plan established by the government, together with the Joint Task Force."

The PRNG has 707 Soldiers and Airmen working in the different security support missions, logistical support and medical services, among others, in the five base camps administered by the Puerto Rico Department of Housing. Additionally, 111 Army Reserve Soldiers have provided shower and laundry services at the base camps. However, these services will be transferred to private operators so that the services continue without interruption.

"We are working to maximize the available services. With the aid now available from FEMA, it gives the opportunity to expedite the process so that displaced citizens can move to a safe home more quickly," said Brig. Gen. Miguel Méndez, dual-status commander.

Mendez reiterated the commitment of the PRNG.

"Our motivation is not how much time it takes; it is the need that our citizens have," he said. "While Puerto Rico needs us, the Puerto Rico National Guard will be 'Always Present.'"

In addition to these services, Joint Task Force - Puerto Rico has supported the expert work of over 80 structural engineers who have arrived to the island from various U.S. cities to evaluate residences in 11 municipalities affected by seismic activity. These evaluations are 90 percent complete.

So far, Joint Task Force - Puerto Rico has distributed 1,679,328 bottles of water and 190,000 gallons of drinking water and prepared and served 60,756 hot meals and distributed 100,080 military meals (MREs). Medical personnel have attended more than 5,400 patients.

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