According to a local FEMA director, Wednesday will mark the end of FEMA humanitarian water and food aid to Puerto Rico in the wake of Hurricane Maria, which hit the island Sept. 20. According to National Public Radio, FEMA, “in its own words, ‘officially shut off’ the mission it says has provided more than 30 million gallons of potable water and nearly 60 million meals across the island.”
A third of islanders still lack electricity, and some argue it is too early to end emergency aid. FEMA said only 1 percent of the populace still require food and water assistance, and it will hand its remaining supplies to the government.
“The reality is that we just need to look around. Supermarkets are open, and things are going back to normal,” Alejandro De La Campa, FEMA’s director in Puerto Rico, told NPR.
He added that FEMA will turn from emergency help to more durable recovery efforts, including bolstering the Puerto Rican economy.