Conditions remain tough for those living in U.S. territories affected by the recent hurricanes.
The Week reports that 88 percent of Puerto Rico is still without power as of this week, and the 27 percent of Puerto Ricans are still without drinking water.
The U.S. Virgin Islands is also not yet back on its feet.
The Virgin Islands Consortium reports that much of the territory is still without power, although the Islands’ governor, Kenneth Mapp, said this week that 90 percent of the island would have power by Christmas 2017.
Mapp has faced questions recently about why the Department of Human Service’s Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s implementation has been delayed. The program helps those impacted by disasters to buy food.
A spokesperson for the department said that there have been “some challenges” working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture on getting the program going that have created “additional issues.”
Two state governors have now stepped in to lend a hand to the territory amidst these “additional issues,” authorizing the deployment of national guard troops to help with clean-up and with rebuilding.
NBC WEAU 13 reports that Wisconsin governor Scott Walker has ordered Wisconsin National Guard troops to both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Walker said the troops “will provide vital medical personnel and resources to help our fellow Americans … quickly and effectively.”
And Governor Larry Hogan of Maryland is sending in the Maryland National Guard to relieve troops currently stationed in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Maryland is proud to help our neighbors and friends in their time of need,” the governor said, according to NBC WBAL 11.
Members of the Maryland Guard were eager to get going. “We know supplies are limited. We know most of the island has lost a lot of what they have, but we’re excited to get down there and help,” Lieutenant Courtney Shutz said.
Sergeant Colin Daugherty echoed Lieutenant Shutz.
“As difficult as it may be for us to be away from our family and loved ones, it’s even more difficult for people who are struggling just to survive and find food and water daily,” Sergeant Daugherty said.
The Maryland National Guard will be in the U.S. Virgin Islands for at least 30 days.
For his part, Governor Mapp promised that the U.S. Virgin Islands will be rebuilt to be even better than it was before, but seemed to caution that the process would take time, the Caribbean Journal reports.
“We’re recovering from a disaster,” Mapp said, “We’re all human beings, and we’re making all of our best efforts.”
