Partnering with Communities on Puerto Rico Disaster Recovery
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After Hurricanes Irma and Maria struck Puerto Rico in 2017, RAND helped its government develop a comprehensive recovery plan. With support from the RAND Alumni Impact Fund, researchers partnered with Puerto Rico communities, including local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and foundations, to help underserved communities rebuild and recover.
In this RAND Remote conversation, Marielena Lara and Gabriela Castro discuss the partnered approach they used to support reconstruction and recovery efforts. They describe barriers that surfaced through engagement and conversations with community-trusted NGOs, including issues of equity in disaster recovery, and also share ways that RAND can help strengthen and safeguard communities and build resilience for the future. Lara and Castro are introduced by Winfield A. Boerckel, Vice President of the RAND Office of External Affairs.
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In response to Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, RAND researchers supported the development of Puerto Rico's economic and disaster-recovery plan. They collected and analyzed damage and needs information, and developed and costed recovery actions that addressed multiple areas of need.
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How did Hurricanes Irma and Maria affect Puerto Rico's municipalities in terms of their ability to govern, deliver services, and recover from the damage they incurred? An assessment answers this question and suggests courses of action to address damage and improve municipal capacity.
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Puerto Rico was facing challenges and stressors prior to the 2017 hurricane season. A comprehensive assessment of those issues and the damage caused by Hurricane Maria and other 2017 storms identifies short- and longer-term needs for Puerto Rico to recover and to build resilience to future storms.
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The total estimated cost of Puerto Rico's economic and disaster recovery plan is $139 billion. Up to $94 billion of funding from the federal government and private insurance claims is estimated to be available. Sources to fill the gap include the government of Puerto Rico, the private sector, and philanthropies.
