Puerto Rican Student Association Launches Recovery Initiatives in response to Hurricane Fiona

The Puerto Rican Student Association and their supporters gathered in front of Thompson Library for a candlelight ceremony to recognize Hurricane Fiona and tell personal stories. Credit: Chantal Brown

By Chantal Brown

Students hope to shed light on the struggles that Puerto Rican citizens are facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona.

Members of the Ohio State Puerto Rican Student Association gathered with their supporters in the Columbus community on Sunday for a candlelight ceremony. The demonstration was to spread awareness of the damage the Category 4 hurricane brought to the island on Sept. 17.

Students aim to not only collect donations to remedy the structural and economic damage but to gain acknowledgment for a community that is also healing from previous calamities. Walter Jimenez, a second-year in aviation and vice president of  PRSA, said he knows the struggle of recovering from a storm all too well. He was in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria, in 2017.

“I think the impact of not only of the storm, but the aftermath is worse because that is when the problems happen,” Jimenez said.

The organization is seeking support from its peers after the recent storm. Jimenez said that it is important for people to realize some Puerto Ricans are still recovering from Hurricane Maria. 

Hurricane Maria, also a Category 4 storm,  caused one of the longest power outages in U.S. history, wiped out the majority of the island’s roads and buildings, and occurred almost exactly five years before Hurricane Fiona, according to Climate.gov. 

Gabriella Rivera, a third-year in animal science and PRSA president, said she was also in Puerto Rico during Hurricane Maria.

“We were in ninth grade going to 10th grade- not having power, electricity, or water, Rivera said. “We Puerto Ricans, we tend to laugh about things, you know. We joke around and party through it or get through it positively. But at least for me, it did take a toll mentally,” 

Rivera said that the long-term mental and economic effects have to be considered as Puerto Rico looks toward recovery. 

“You have to pay for diesel for the generator. You have to pay for the electricity bill and the water bill as it goes up because it is harder to get it. There’s always shortages of food and toilet paper,” Rivera said. 

In addition to the candlelight ceremony, Rivera said that PRSA is partnering with  Latinx Student Association to help collect donations at the Ohio State soccer game on Sept. 30. They are accepting cash donations as well as non-perishable foods to go towards the hurricane relief efforts at the game as well as other tabling events throughout the week.  

Jimenez and Rivera urge people to support each other in both Puerto Rico and on the mainland to provide relief to those who have been affected. 

“The difference with this hurricane is that cell service remained up. We would see videos sent minutes after recording on the island, Jimenez said. “We would see how it was going in this town or with this bridge being turned down. So it has been a stressful week,” Jimenez 

Rivera said that all of the donations they receive will be given to  Taller Salud, a nonprofit organization in Puerto Rico. Rivera said she motivates everyone to keep those affected by Hurricane Fiona in their thoughts. 

“We just want to show our loved ones back home that we’re thinking of you, we have you in our hearts and we are supporting you from miles away,” Rivera said.