In Defense of the Red Cross

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In recent months, one staffer at Pro Publica seems to be running a vendetta against the Red Cross. Most recently he criticized their response to Hurricane Harvey.  The Red Cross did issue a Response, which I recommend you read if you are concerned.

The Diva would like to add a personal note in reply to ProPublica, since it so happened that she visited the Red Cross HQ to see their emergency operations center in action after H. Harvey. While there, she sat in on a major briefing, led by the head of emergency services.  She was very impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the staff.

 

Another Impediment to Recovery: Lack of Public Transportation

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See this Bloomberg article: Puerto Rico’s Love of Cars is Jamming Its Recovery.

So far, among the existing deficiencies in structures and services we have the following:  lack of sturdy infrastructure, frail electric grid, housing that is not well built and insured against winds and water, lack of fuel, lack of food and water, and now lack of public transportation. And one must aid economic recession and bankruptcy – of the electric utility and the commonwealth. How much of these deficiencies can and will be corrected during the recovery process?  FEMA has a huge challenge and many years of effort ahead.

As follow blogger, Eric Holdeman, noted in his blog today (10/3):

Puerto Rico had many issues before this event and they cannot dig themselves out of their situation now without massive aid from the federal government. It is a fact of life, and lives are what is on the line, and still are in this destroyed island.

Now is not the time to try to score political points, now is the time to just plain help as much as we can.

Issues At Local OEM in Puerto Rico

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This article from the WSJ lays the blame for the logistical mess on the local office of emergency management, which it refers to as the local FEMA. See: FEMA’s Foul-Up in Puerto Rico. “The emergency plan depended on generators but diesel was not delivered.”

Apparently the author is referring to either the The Municipal Emergency and Disaster Management Office, which includes San Juan, or the Puerto Rico State Agency for Emergency and Disaster Management. I cannot tell which from the article.

Update:  I just read over some of the nearly 450 comments on the above article, and it is clear most of those responding do not understand our federal system and that there are 3 tiers of emergency management.  It remains unclear to me where the author of this article is pointing blame.

Tempers of Politicians Have Begun to Flare

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From The Hill: Trump slams Puerto Rico: ‘They want everything to be done for them’

Generally it is not smart to bite the hand that feed you; but it is also not smart to blame the victims of a natural disaster for their flight.

One more take on this topic: Trump doesn’t get it on Puerto Rico. He just proved it by lashing out at San Juan’s mayor.

[Be sure to read the comments below.]